As many as half of those suffering from HIV could prevent the mental decline associated with the disease with the help of cannabis, according to a new study.
Researchers from Michigan State University found that marijuana users with HIV have fewer inflammatory white blood cells. As the immune system continuously tries to fight the virus, inflammation in the brain occurs in many HIV patients. However, the study’s authors report that those who use marijuana note levels of inflammatory cells that are more in keeping with those of healthy individuals who do not have the infection. This means that marijuana could help HIV patients to hold on to their cognitive function for a longer time.
For their study, the scientists looked at blood samples taken from 40 patients with HIV. Some of the participants were cannabis users, while others were not. After isolating inflammatory white blood cells from the samples, the researchers assessed the effect of the THC in the marijuana on the cells. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is responsible for the drug’s hallucinogenic effect.’
