Ischemic stroke can cause damage to neurons, resulting in neurological dysfunction. The main treatments in the acute phase include intravenous thrombolysis, endovascular stent-assisted vascular thrombectomy and antiplatelet therapy. Due to the limitations of the time window and the risk of early intracranial hemorrhage, finding active treatment plans is crucial for improving therapy. Preconditioning can enhance the tolerance to acute injuries such as ischemic stroke and mechanical brain injury. This tolerance, induced by stressors like ischemia and hypoxia, can become an effective and convenient treatment approach for ischemic stroke. The molecular mechanisms involved in preconditioning are extremely complex. This article focuses on the main preconditioning treatment methods for ischemic stroke, discusses the specific molecular mechanisms of different treatment methods, and explores their action pathways and effects on corresponding target cells, thus opening up a brand-new direction for the treatment strategies of ischemic stroke.