How the Immune System Relates to Cannabis

Cannabis interacts directly with a system in our body that helps regulate our immune responses, and we know it can be useful in treating autoimmune diseases. 

Substances found in the cannabis plant, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), known as cannabinoids, interact directly with the body's endocannabinoid system. These compounds mimic natural chemicals that the body produces, which can trigger a wide variety of effects on functions such as sleep, hunger, pain, and mood.

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Part of the role of the endocannabinoid system is to maintain homeostasis or balance in the immune system. Although the literature contains some contradictions about how exactly this works, it is generally considered a “guardian” of the immune system - preventing it from causing overwhelming inflammatory responses.

Immune suppression may make cannabinoids useful in conditions where immune responses turn against the patient's own body. In fact, many autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes, have already been associated with dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system.

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Still, in cases of infection by pathogens, researchers warn that these immunosuppressive effects can be problematic - suppressing the body's natural and necessary immune responses.

Research on Cannabis for Immune Health

In addition to treating autoimmune diseases, suppressing immune responses can, in some other situations, be desirable when dealing with certain infections. When under attack from an infection, our body sometimes goes into sepsis - producing a systemic inflammatory response that can lead to death. Reducing this response can save lives.

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Animal studies show that stimulating endocannabinoid receptors with cannabinoids, such as those from cannabis, can reduce inflammation related to infection, in some cases also reducing the overall mortality rate. Some studies have also shown improved recovery from infections such as malaria.

In other animal experiments, reducing stimulation of these same receptors led to increased survival from infection. And, in some experiments, stimulating these receptors decreased the immune response against infections such as candida, legionella pneumophila, and influenza.

These animal studies present a somewhat conflicting picture, and studies in humans have been extremely limited.

Potential Benefits and Harms

Interestingly, despite data from animal studies, early double-blind placebo-controlled studies in humans found no observed immune changes with THC use. Later, however, some immunosuppressive effects were found in human research. Notably, though, in the same study, this effect was reversed in two patients who had long-term exposure to cannabis. Therefore, it is possible that the long-term effects of cannabis differ from acute use regarding immune response.

Still, although researchers have found immune differences in humans due to cannabis use, they have not confirmed that these changes make cannabis users more susceptible to infection.

Therefore, while cannabinoids are somewhat promising in treating viral infections (such as reducing sepsis), they may also pose risks, such as suppressing necessary immune responses.

Researchers report that cannabinoids have potential as treatments for infectious diseases, but they say more research is needed to learn exactly how to use them in a way that ensures they are helping and not harming our chances against an infection.

Source: Emily Earlenbaugh/Cannigma