‘Even cannabis can cause strokes’: Doctor exposes truth about party drugs as young Indians land in ICUs

New Delhi: Recreational and so-called “party” drugs are driving a disturbing rise in severe neurological emergencies among young Indians, warned leading neurologist Dr (Col) Joy Dev Mukherji, cautioning that even cannabis can trigger strokes, seizures and life-threatening cardiac complications.

Speaking on an ANI podcast, Dr Mukherji, who has over 28 years of clinical experience and previously served in the Armed Forces Medical Services before joining Max Healthcare in 2006, said there is “absolutely no justification” for drug use and condemned the growing social approval around recreational substances.

“No way can we justify using drugs. Unfortunately, it has become so rampant that it is getting social acceptance, which is incorrect and absolutely harmful to the core. Any kind of drug will cause all kinds of problems. It can cause strokes. Even cannabis can cause strokes. It can cause headaches, and it can cause lung problems. It can cause cardiac problems. This is well-known,” Mukherji said.

‘Party drugs’ portrayed as harmless are dangerous, says neurologist

Dr Mukherji alleged that recreational drugs are being marketed as safe, rejecting the idea that any substance used in party settings could be risk-free.

“People take it because it is being propagated by the powers that be, who are behind pushing these drugs, that it is good and it is harmless and all that. All that is being propagated. I feel there is an ulterior motive behind it. It is clearly, unequivocally harmful,” he said.

“There's nothing like a party drug. It is all being pushed as a party drug… as if it will enhance some psychedelic mind. But I think it's absolutely wrong; it's unequivocally dangerous,” he added.

Sharp rise in young patients with stroke and seizures

Confirming a visible rise in drug-related neurological cases, he said, “Yes, definitely. Maybe not too many of them. But once a week, we see a patient—a young boy, 20 years old, 30 years old—with a party-related stroke or a party-drug-related neurological problem. Seizures. Epileptic activity. When we do a urine screening, we come to know that he has been taking this drug.”

Drug use trends in India

According to 2019 data from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:

• 3.1 crore people (2.8% of the population) used cannabis in the previous year.
• Bhang consumption accounts for 2.2 crore users, while ganja/charas is used by 1.3 crore people.
• Highest cannabis use: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh, Delhi.
• 2.26 crore people use opioids, including heroin, opium, and pharmaceutical derivatives.
• Highest opioid prevalence (over 10%): Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram.

Calls for stronger public health measures

Dr Mukherji also warned about the unchecked use of energy drinks and highlighted gaps in India’s emergency health systems and insurance coverage.

“We need more awareness of neurological conditions. Deep in the hinterlands, epilepsy is still being treated by ‘jharphuk’, whereas it is easily treatable. Stroke management is done by putting turmeric in the villages. That has to stop,” he said.

“Because treatment is expensive, there has to be cheaper, more meaningful health insurance… We don't have adequate medical evacuation systems. These are policy decisions we have to take… correct evacuation for the critically ill, deeper penetration of medical insurance, and awareness. These three things will make a lot of difference,” he demanded.