43 Doesn't that stuff mess up your immune system and make it easier for you catch colds? (Marijuana)
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This article is from the Hemp / Cannabis / Marijuana FAQ, by Brian S. Julin verdant@twain.ucs.umass.edu with numerous contributions by others.
43 Doesn't that stuff mess up your immune system and make it easier for you catch colds? (Marijuana)
Marijuana (Delta-nine-THC) does have an `immunosuppressive
effect.' It acts on certain cells in the liver, called
macrophages, in much the same way that it acts on brain
cells. Instead of stimulating the cells, though, it shuts
them off. This effect is temporary (just like the `high')
and goes away quickly; people who suffer from multiple
sclerosis may actually find this effect useful in fighting
the disease.
Recent research has also found that marijuana metabolites
are left over in the lungs for up to seven months after the
smoking has stopped. While they are there, the immune
system of the lungs may be affected (but the macrophages do
not get ``turned off'' like in the liver.) The effects of
smoking itself are probably worse than the effects of the
THC, and last just as long.
All this said, doctors still have not decided whether
marijuana users are at risk for colds or not. With the
possible exception of bronchitis, there are no numbers which
suggest that marijuana users catch more colds, but... this
did not stop Carlton Turner, a United States Drug Czar, from
saying many times in his public addresses that marijuana
caused AIDS and homosexuality. His claims were so ridiculus
that the Washington Post and Newsweek Magazine made fun of
him, and he was forced to resign.
Today, AIDS patients use marijuana to treat their symptoms
without any aparrent problems. Some studies suggest that
marijuana may actually stimulate certain forms of immunity.
Researchers have tried to show major effects on the healthy
human's immune system, but if marijuana does have any
substantial effects, good or bad, they are either too
subtle or too small to notice.
(liver macrophages)
``Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol A Novel Treatment for Experimental
Autoimmune Encephalitis '' by W. D. Lyman , J. R. Sonett , C. F.
Brosnan , R. Elkin , M. B. Bornstein in ``Journal of Neuroimmunology''
Vol. 23 pp. 73-81. 1989.
(lung macrophages and other cells)
``Chronic Marijuana Smoke Alters Alveolar Macrophage Morphology and
Protein Expression'' by Guy A. Cabral, Amy L. Stinnet, John Bailey,
Syed F. Ali, Merle G. Paul, Andrew C. Scallet, William Slikker Jr,
1991.
(general overview)
``Marijuana and Immunity'' by Leo E. Hollister M.D. in ``Journal of
Psychoactive Drugs'' Vol. 24 Iss. 2 pp. 159-164. pub. Haight-Ashbury
Publications in association with the Haight-Ashbury Free Medical
Clinic San Francisco, Calif. : April,June, 1992.
(Carlton Turner)
``Official Corruption Carton Turner'' by Jack HererJack Herer in ``The
Emperor Wears No Clothes The Authoritative Historical Record of the
Cannabis Plant, Marijuana Prohibition, & How Hemp Can Still Save the
World'' pub. Queen of Clubs HEMP Publishing, 1993.
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