What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Addiction.

Where was this research published?

Published in Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.) on February 1, 2026.

Addiction

Unraveling the Neurological Risks of Substance Use in a Changing Landscape

Q: What did this Review find?

**Substance use and overdose mortality increased sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic**, with ongoing elevated rates

Neurologic Complications of Drug and Alcohol Use.

Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.) • February 1, 2026 • Review • Moderately Relevant

🤖

AI Summary

The review highlights the expanding landscape of substance use and its neurological complications, with a particular focus on emerging trends during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Substance use and overdose mortality rose significantly, creating new challenges for medical professionals, especially neurologists who are often at the forefront of managing these complex cases.

Regarding cannabis, the paper notes an important emerging concern about potential neurological risks. Specifically, some studies suggest an independent association between cannabis use and ischemic stroke, which is a critical finding for both medical professionals and cannabis users. The research underscores the importance of understanding the neurological implications of increasingly accessible substances, particularly as more states legalize or decriminalize cannabis and other previously restricted drugs.

The study emphasizes the critical role of neurologists in identifying and managing substance use disorders, highlighting the need for comprehensive approaches to patient care. With the proliferation of novel psychoactive substances and changing legal landscapes, healthcare providers must remain vigilant about potential neurologic complications that may arise from substance use.

💡 Key Findings

Substance use and overdose mortality increased sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, with ongoing elevated rates

High

90%

Potential independent association discovered between cannabis use and ischemic stroke

Good

70%

Neurologists play a crucial role in identifying and managing substance use disorders

High

80%

📄 Original Abstract

This article reviews the neurologic syndromes associated with substance use and suggests an approach for identifying and managing substance use disorders. Substance use and overdose mortality, largely associated with fentanyl, rose sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although recent data indicate modest decreases, current rates of overdose remain higher than before the pandemic. A wide variety of opioid-related toxic encephalopathies have been identified recently. Many novel psychoactive substances are unregulated and easily obtained online or in stores; several have been associated with seizures and other neurologic complications. The use of cannabis and hallucinogens is rising as more states legalize or decriminalize their use, and some studies suggest an independent association between cannabis use and ischemic stroke. Neurologists often encounter severe complications of substance use and have an opportunity to guide patients with substance use disorders toward treatment.