cannabisnews.com: Smoking Pot Alters More Than Mood Smoking Pot Alters More Than Mood Posted by CN Staff on August 28, 2002 at 10:56:51 PT Press Release Source: Science Daily Marijuana may alter immune function in people -- but the jury is still out on whether it hurts or helps the body's ability to fight infection or other diseases, report researchers at the University of South Florida College of Medicine and the UCLA School of Medicine in Los Angeles. "The bottom line is you cannot routinely smoke marijuana without it affecting your immune system," said Thomas Klein, PhD, professor of medical microbiology and immunology at USF. "However, because of the complexity of the immune system, we can't say yet whether the effect we've observed in humans is good or bad." A study by USF and UCLA is the first to show that healthy humans who smoke marijuana appear to alter the expression of marijuana receptors, or molecules, on immune cells in their blood. The findings were reported in the June issue of the Journal of Neuroimmunology. Pot's influence on the immune system continues to be hotly debated. While more human studies are needed, overwhelming evidence from animal studies indicates that marijuana and its psychoactive compounds, known as cannabinoids, suppress immune function and inflammation. "This suggests marijuana or cannabinoids might benefit someone with chronic inflammatory disease, but not someone who has a chronic infectious disease such as HIV infection," said Dr. Klein, lead investigator of the study. The USF/UCLA group is one of few in the world conducting studies to define the role of cannabinoid receptors in regulating immunity in both drug abusers and nonusers. If the results in animals hold true in humans, their work might lead to the development of safe and effective cannabinoid drugs for certain diseases, Dr. Klein said. "If the cannabinoids in marijuana are effective immune suppressors, this property might be harnessed to treat patients with overly aggressive immune responses or inflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis." Receptors that react to delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the compound in marijuana that produces a high, have been found in tissues throughout the body and in the brain. A naturally circulating THC-like substance called anandamide also binds to and activates these marijuana, or cannabinoid, receptors, indicating that the body's own cannabinoid system plays a physiological role in normal immunity as well as defining moods, Dr. Klein said. In the USF/UCLA study, researchers analyzed blood samples from 56 healthy volunteers -- including 10 chronic marijuana smokers, ages 22 to 46, participating in lung and immune function studies at UCLA. The marijuana smokers denied use of any other drugs, and the nonsmokers denied all illegal drug use. Because no accurate way yet exists to directly study the expression of cannabinoid receptors on immune cells, the researchers looked at the genetic material (messenger RNA) that is the direct predecessor, or precursor, of the receptor. They found that the baseline genetic expression of precursor RNA was consistent across all age, gender and ethnic groups. But, the peripheral blood cells from the marijuana users expressed significantly higher levels of cannabinoid receptor messenger RNA than blood cells from non-users. The levels increased regardless of the amount of marijuana use, although all users in the study had a history of smoking pot several times or more a week. Complete Title: Smoking Pot Alters More Than Mood — Human Immune System Affected, USF/UCLA Study Finds Source: University Of South Florida Health Sciences Center Source: Science Daily Published: Wednesday, August 28, 2002 Copyright: 1995-2002 ScienceDaily Magazine Contact: : editor sciencedaily.comWebsite: http://www.sciencedaily.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:Chronic Cannabis Use in PDF Formathttp://www.freedomtoexhale.com/ccu.pdfCannabinoids in Pain Managementhttp://www.freedomtoexhale.com/drr.htmLong-Term Pot-Use Study: No Ill Health Effectshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10533.shtmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #12 posted by FoM on August 30, 2002 at 08:29:47 PT Hi Dan I think Daniel is a wonderful name too. My names is kinda smeared with Martha Stewart these days but Daniel always reminds me of Daniel and the Lions's den. The email from NORML I received called him Nick. He's emailed me and signed his name Nick but I'll stick with Nicholas. It reminds me of Santa Claus too! Isn't it funny how names can mean different things to different people?PS: Should we sing The Name Game? LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Dan B on August 29, 2002 at 23:35:40 PT: FoM I understand your reasoning behind using Nicholas instead of Nick (although I would like to point out that I was following your example when I wrote "Nick"). : )Actually, when I submit something for publication (or use my name in some other professional capacity), I always use "Daniel" instead of "Dan" because I think "Daniel" sounds more formal and, perhaps, more dignified. But, in the classroom I use "Dan." I would rather that my students did not call me "Dr. _____" because it reinforces a hierarchy that I can mostly do without. But I do respect a student's right to use "Dr. _____" if that is more comfortable for him or her. Students here have always been respectful of my position as the professor, and it is difficult enough to get them to talk without them worrying about accidentally referring to me as something other than "Dr." I want them to know, too, that I see myself as their equal as a person (I'm not much one for titles)--I just happen to have stayed in school longer than they have yet had a chance to, so I know more than they about the field that I am teaching (one would hope!). That's probably rather too much explanation for such a simple thing, and what I really wanted you to know is that I value your understanding of how a name can influence one's perception of the individual, as well as the respect you show by putting that understanding to good use.Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on August 29, 2002 at 22:29:28 PT BGreen Thanks! That is absolutely great news! [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by BGreen on August 29, 2002 at 22:24:10 PT From Pot-TV Praise the Lord! AMERICAN WINS CANADIAN EXEMPTION RELEASE DATE: August 28, 2002CONTACT: Steve and Michele Kubby (604) 885-7651AMERICAN WINS CANADIAN EXEMPTION TO GROW MARIJUANAVANCOUVER- American cannabis refugee Steve Kubby, received an exemption today from Health Canada to possess and cultivate medical cannabis. The American will be allowed to grow 59 plants, possess and travel with 360 grams (about 12 ounces), and store 2,655 grams (about 6 pounds). The exemption lasts for one year. Mr. Kubby was issued an exemption for a category 3 illness - chronic and long-term.The exemption was initially submitted on the 12th of August, received on the 13th and a final exemption was delivered by courier to the Kubbys on August 29th. "It's been six years that our family been fighting for recognition of Steve's right to use the only medicine that is keeping him alive," said Michele Kubby. "The Health Canada program still has too many hoops for a sick person to jump through, but the people at Health Canada were supportive and showed genuine concern and respect for our situation. The U.S would do well to study the Canadian model."The Kubbys said they were especially grateful to Marc Emery, John Conroy, Michelle Rainey-Fenkarik, Brian Carlisle, Dale Pedersen, David Malmo- Lavine and all of the other supporters who stood by them. The Kubbys also are very grateful to Dr. Joseph Connors for his courageous and compassionate stand on their behalf. AMERICAN WINS CANADIAN EXEMPTION [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on August 29, 2002 at 21:54:30 PT Dan Bless Your heart! I mean that too. I received an email from NORML about the birth. I like Nicholas. I know he goes by Nick too but I think the name Nicholas rings with dignity and class so I won't call him Nick. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Dan B on August 29, 2002 at 21:43:24 PT: Congratulations, Nick! It is good to know that good people procreate. : )Congratulations on the birth of your new baby girl. I wish you, your wife, and Sophia Nicole all the best.Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on August 28, 2002 at 13:23:21 PT Good News, Nick Thimmesch is a Dad! I just received an email that the baby has arrived! I thought you all might want to know too!His wife gave birth to Sophia Nicole Thimmesch today. Sophia is a healthy 9 lb. 8 oz., 21-inch baby! [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by idbsne1 on August 28, 2002 at 13:19:19 PT Are they saying anything?!?!? I hate this. Automatically spun in a negative manner, although the scientists themselves offer hope."Well, pot affects the immune system....but we don't know if it's good or bad." What are they really saying?I'm waiting for AP to use a headline like, "Pot may help MS and Rheumatoid Arthritis."Now, how many uninformed people might have stopped to read that article? Instead of passing over it thinking, "of course it's bad for you...."idbsne1 [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by DigitalFeonix on August 28, 2002 at 12:33:30 PT Just my intial observations The levels of disease in general and the epidemic of a few (like Cancer, which IIRC a couple studies showed cannabis prevented) seemed to rise when we as a society stopped using cannabis. But I could be wrong, it could be because of the chemicals we use to replace it that is in and on our food/air/clothes/lives OR overpopulation OR lack of exercise as a whole. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Naaps on August 28, 2002 at 12:09:03 PT The Confusing Science I don’t have a science degree, so often feel at odds with the scientists who can offer reams of data supposedly supporting whatever is their contention. Too often, I feel manipulated, not being full cognizant of the methodology, or more importantly, who is sponsoring the research, and what conclusions they want to see ‘proved’. The pseudoscience of Nahas springs to mind, as well as much of the NIDA funded studies. Also, the CPDD, is a source of much biased research.I appreciate the erudite interpretation offered by Dr. Ethan Russo, particularly as he disarms the obfuscation of Baroness Greensfield, or other rampant doctoral prohibitionists.Another highly capable fellow, Health Canada Researcher James Geiwitz, Ph.D., offers insights concerning the science surrounding cannabis. I suggest interested cannabisnews readers check out this link. http://www.hempology.com/article.pl?sid=01/12/15/2028209&mode=threadIn particular, James Geiwitz, Ph.D, concludes, “there may well be health benefits (in addition to the proven benefits of medical marijuana), as marijuana levels of THC seem to strengthen the immune system. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on August 28, 2002 at 11:52:40 PT Dr. Russo I am very familiar with immune suppression because of my son. When a person has a terminal illness the immune system doesn't work right. It gets overloaded and every little thing can bring it down even more. The thing is to me if a person can't keep food down they aren't getting nutrition and that will definitely lower the immune system so even if smoking Cannabis does lower it a little it would be the least of two evils in my opinion. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo MD on August 28, 2002 at 11:35:29 PT: Here is the Context of the Immunological Issue Immune system damage remains an area of contention with respect to cannabis usage (Zimmer and Morgan 1997). In the chronic use studies in Jamaica, no decrement was observed in cannabis smokers vs. controls in either lymphocyte or neutrophils counts (Rubin and Comitas 1975). No significant changes were noted in the data in Costa Rica (Carter 1980). In the 94-Day Cannabis Study, initial acute low values were observed in T cell counts, but these returned to normal over the course of the testing (Cohen 1976). A closer examination of the pertinent literature raises concerns on theoretical levels to a greater degree than practical ones. Excellent reviews are available (Klein, Friedman, and Specter 1998; Hollister 1988; Cabral 2001; Cabral 2001). Early reports of inhibition of cell mediated immunity in cannabis smokers (Nahas et al. 1974) were refuted by later studies in which no impairment of lymphocytic response to phytohemagglutinin in hashish smokers was observed (Kaklamani et al. 1978). A seminal review of the topic was undertaken by Hollister (1988), who stated (p. 159), “evidence of altered immune functions is derived mainly from in vitro tests or ex vivo experiments, which employed doses of cannabinoids far in excess of those that prevail during social use of marijuana.” More recently, Klein, Friedman and Specter (1998) have similarly noted (p. 102), “Although cannabinoids modulate immune cell function, it is also clear that these cells are relatively resistant to the drugs in than many effects appear to be relatively small and totally reversible, occur at concentration higher than needed to induce psychoactivity (>10 mM or >5mg/kg), and occur following treatment with nonpsychoactive cannabinoid analogues.” They added (p. 102), “The public health risk of smoking marijuana in terms of increased susceptibility to infections, especially opportunistic infections, is still unclear.” Finally, despite concerns raised by THC effects on immunity in animals and in vitro, Cabral and Dove Pettit (1998) admitted (p. 116), “Definitive data which directly link marijuana use to increased susceptibility to infection in humans currently is unavailable.” A particular public health concern surrounds cannabis effects on HIV/AIDS. Four studies among others may reduce related concern. Kaslow et al. (1989) demonstrated no evidence that cannabis accelerated immunodeficiency parameters in HIV-positive patients. Di Franco et al. (1996) ascertained no acceleration of HIV to full-blown AIDS in cannabis smokers. Whitfield, Bechtel, and Starich (1997) observed no deleterious effects of cannabis usage in HIV/AIDS patients, even those with the lowest CD4 counts. Finally, Abrams (2000) studied the effects of cannabis smoking on HIV positive patients on protease inhibitor drugs in a prospective randomized, partially blinded placebo-controlled trial. No adverse effects on CD4 counts were observed secondary to cannabis. In the IND patients (Russo et al. 2002), Patient B had an elevated WBC count, probably attributable to the stress of phlebotomy, but without accompanying disorders of cell count differential. All patients had CD4 counts well within normal limits. While immunomodulatory effects of cannabis certainly raise the possibility of altered cell-mediated immunity and infectious disease susceptibility (McPartland and Pruitt 1997), such problems have only been encountered rarely in clinical practice. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment