Medicinal Cannabis and the Immune System
Evidence shows that cannabis can suppress immune system activity
Research increasingly shows that cannabis has benefits for managing certain medical conditions. However, how does cannabis affect the immune system? Does regular use weaken or boost your immune response, or does it make you more or less susceptible to infections or contagious diseases?
Existing evidence indicates that cannabis can suppress the immune system's activity. This effect may be particularly beneficial for individuals with autoimmune diseases, but it may not be as advantageous for people with normally functioning immune systems.
The immune system is a complex network within the body. A group of specialized cells, endogenous chemicals, and organs work together to protect against pathogens and infections, thus maintaining health and homeostasis. Key components that actively combat infections include white blood cells, antibodies, the lymphatic system, the spleen, the thymus, and bone marrow.
Current knowledge about how cannabis interacts with specific elements of the immune system is still limited. Some research explores the impact of cannabinoids on white blood cell counts and the lymphatic system. However, less is known about how cannabis influences the thymus or the complement system.
Is there a connection between the endocannabinoid system and the immune system?
There is a connection between the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and the immune system. The ECS is generally considered a gatekeeper for the immune system, preventing overwhelming inflammatory reactions that could lead to disease. It also influences the role of immune cells.
The CB1 and CB2 receptors that comprise the endocannabinoid system help modulate the effects of cannabis on the immune system. The two primary cannabinoids, THC and CBD, appear to have distinct effects due to their unique interactions with cannabinoid receptors. Research suggests that cannabinoids affect the functions of most immune cell types.
Like CBD, THC also suppresses immune activity, reducing inflammatory responses. Furthermore, THC has been shown to alter the function of immune cells responsible for antimicrobial activity.
While the immunosuppressive effects of cannabis may benefit autoimmune patients, they can create challenges for others. Research conducted in 2003 on healthy volunteers indicated that cannabis might suppress immune function. These cannabis users displayed fewer pro-inflammatory cells and more anti-inflammatory cells.
While decreased inflammation may seem positive, it was associated with a significant reduction in white blood cell functionality in this study. Weaker white blood cells can hinder the body's ability to fight off infections. Regular cannabis users also had a lower quantity of natural killer cells, which help limit the spread of tumors and microbial infections.
Research suggests a dose-response relationship between lifetime cannabis use and a decline in specific immune system markers, implying that regular users may be more susceptible to infectious diseases. Cannabis may significantly reduce infection-fighting cells in individuals undergoing chemotherapy, further exacerbating the adverse effects of chemotherapy on the immune system.
Studies on individuals with HIV and AIDS indicate that there is no conclusive evidence that cannabis negatively affects the immune system. Instead, findings suggest that cannabis use among HIV-positive patients may enhance immune function by significantly decreasing viral load and increasing CD4 cells, which serve as a marker of the immune system's strength.
While existing research provides some insights into the relationship between cannabis and the immune system, there is currently insufficient evidence to make definitive conclusions.
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Liz Filmer
