Leading Neurologist Warns of Cannabis-Linked Health Risks

Dr (Col) Joy Dev Mukherji, a prominent neurologist in India, has issued a strong warning regarding the health risks associated with recreational drug use, specifically highlighting the dangers of cannabis. Speaking during an ANI podcast, Dr Mukherji emphasized that increasing social acceptance of such substances poses significant health threats, particularly among young people. He noted a troubling rise in severe neurological emergencies linked to recreational drug use.

With over 28 years of clinical experience, Dr Mukherji has witnessed first-hand the harmful effects of these substances. He asserted that “there is absolutely no justification” for drug use, describing its growing acceptance as “deeply alarming.” He stated, “No way can we justify using drugs,” adding that this normalization leads to serious health complications, including strokes, seizures, and cardiac issues.

Dr Mukherji criticized the portrayal of drugs, particularly cannabis, as harmless, attributing this misinformation to vested interests. “People take it because it is being propagated by the powers that be, who are behind pushing these drugs,” he claimed. He firmly rejected the idea of “safe party drugs,” stating that such narratives are misleading and dangerous.

According to data from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, cannabis and opioids rank among the most commonly used substances in India. The 2019 report revealed that approximately 2.8 percent of the population, roughly 3.1 crore people, reported using some form of cannabis in the previous year. This includes bhang, consumed by about 2 percent of the population, and illegal forms such as ganja and charas, which are used by around 1.2 percent.

The neurologist also noted a concerning trend: young patients presenting with drug-related neurological issues are becoming more common. “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,” he explained. Dr Mukherji highlighted that these cases often reveal the use of drugs through urine screenings.

In addition to recreational drugs, Dr Mukherji expressed concern about excessive consumption of commercial energy drinks, which he argues offer no real benefits and are primarily marketing-driven products.

The neurologist underscored significant gaps in India’s public health response to neurological disorders. He called for urgent policy interventions to raise awareness and improve treatment options. “Deep in the hinterlands, epilepsy is still being treated by ‘jharphuk’, whereas it is easily treatable,” he pointed out.

Dr Mukherji advocated for broader and more affordable health insurance coverage and better emergency medical systems. He stated, “Because treatment is expensive, there has to be cheaper, more meaningful health insurance for individuals.” He also emphasized the need for a more effective medical evacuation system for critically ill patients.

In summarizing the situation, Dr Mukherji reiterated that the normalization of recreational drug use represents a serious contemporary health threat to India’s youth. He stressed the importance of early intervention, increased awareness, and robust policy support to combat this alarming trend.