Dr. Gary Steinberg

Some of the patients I see are not just smokers but indulge in other drugs, so cocaine, methamphetamines, markedly increase the risk of developing these aneurysms or developing hemorrhage, bursting of a blood vessel.

It's because they damage the vessels

And they also cause hypertension.

Yes, it's both factors.

So when I operate on these patients and looking at the vessels, they're ragged.

They're very thin.

They're not normal vessels.

They lack structural integrity.

So it contributes to the development of poor vessel integrity.

And

drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine can jack the blood pressure up, and that could cause a hemorrhage in these problematic vessels, yes.

Well, you know, this is interesting.

And I'm always quite amazed at the way people change their behavior based on one study that comes out, even if it's a good study.

So

Yes, it used to be considered beneficial if you drank red wine.

And then for a while, studies showed any wine was beneficial in moderation.

And that used to be two drinks a day for men, one drink a day for women.

And in the latest studies, which have been surfacing this year, suggest no alcohol is good.

But next year, it may be that we're back to, oh, wine is the best thing you can do in moderation for your brain and heart health.

Well, that was the prevailing theory until this year.