Marijuana could reduce risk of suffering stroke, study finds

Pot smokers could have a greatly reduced risk of stroke, a new study finds.

In findings published by the medical journal “Neuropsychopharmacology,” researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas found that cannabis use enhances the flow of blood and oxygen, effectively reducing the possibility of stroke and blood clots.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Francesca Filbey, and her team claims the “primary psychoactive ingredient present in cannabis —tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — relaxes arterial walls resulting in lower blood pressure and increased blood flow to tissues.”

“Past marijuana research has shown changes in cognitive functions such as memory and executive functioning. Our study seeks to understand the possible neurophysiological mechanisms that may drive these cognitive changes,” Filbey wrote in a statement.

The research team examined a total of 175 participants consisting of 74 drug users and 101 non-users over the period of 60 days. They found that cannabis users showed greater global oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) compared to non-users. Users also…