There was some initial research decades ago showing a potential link between marijuana usage and immune system suppression.
There are individuals who consider smoking marijuana to put users at risk of infection, and might conceivaly harm to potential for AIDS victims to fend off infection considering those patients already have a lowered immune system at baseline.
Back in the 1970's, a researcher named Nahas looked at the T-Cells of both marijuana users and non-users. T-cells are the ones that fight infections. The initial study showed diminished immune responses in the T cells of marijuana users, leading Nahas to argue marijuana was therefore dangerous because it weakened the immune system.
Interestingly, multiple subsequent researchers have not been able to duplicate Nahas' findings, and neither has Nahas himself. Those studies have shown no difference between the T cell immune responses of marijuana users versus non-users.
Animal studies have evaluated THC in extremely high doses and shown some immune impairment, however, those results have never been replicated in humans.
Back in 1985 when the FDA was approving Marinol a synthetic THC, the FDA could not link evidence of THC causing immune dysfunction. They looked at lots of research of THC's effects on the human body.
Whether or not smoking marijuana harms one's lungs is a legitimate question. Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke contains hazardous toxins too.
There is an additional concern when AIDS patients smoke marijuana - they need to make sure aspergillus fungus has not contaminated the product. This happens from time to time, and it may lead to a life threatening lung infection.
Heavy marijuana smokers do have a higher risk of respiratory disease such as bronchitis. This is different than immune system modulation, however, and no studies so far have shown a decreased immune system as a result of marijuana intake.
There are individuals who consider smoking marijuana to put users at risk of infection, and might conceivaly harm to potential for AIDS victims to fend off infection considering those patients already have a lowered immune system at baseline.
Back in the 1970's, a researcher named Nahas looked at the T-Cells of both marijuana users and non-users. T-cells are the ones that fight infections. The initial study showed diminished immune responses in the T cells of marijuana users, leading Nahas to argue marijuana was therefore dangerous because it weakened the immune system.
Interestingly, multiple subsequent researchers have not been able to duplicate Nahas' findings, and neither has Nahas himself. Those studies have shown no difference between the T cell immune responses of marijuana users versus non-users.
Animal studies have evaluated THC in extremely high doses and shown some immune impairment, however, those results have never been replicated in humans.
Back in 1985 when the FDA was approving Marinol a synthetic THC, the FDA could not link evidence of THC causing immune dysfunction. They looked at lots of research of THC's effects on the human body.
Whether or not smoking marijuana harms one's lungs is a legitimate question. Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke contains hazardous toxins too.
There is an additional concern when AIDS patients smoke marijuana - they need to make sure aspergillus fungus has not contaminated the product. This happens from time to time, and it may lead to a life threatening lung infection.
Heavy marijuana smokers do have a higher risk of respiratory disease such as bronchitis. This is different than immune system modulation, however, and no studies so far have shown a decreased immune system as a result of marijuana intake.
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