The HIV infected population is reported to have a disproportionately high utilization of cannabis (marijuana) in the US. This study focused on the impact of cannabis use on peripheral immune cell frequency, activation and function in 198 HIV-infected antiretroviral-treated individuals.
Individuals were categorized into heavy, medium, occasional or non-cannabis users based on testing for metabolites in their plasma. They were seeking to define the relationship between cannabis use and HIV-associated systemic inflammation and immune activation.
These authors state that their findings suggest that cannabis use is associated with a potentially beneficial reduction in systemic inflammation and immune activation in this specific population.
Marijuana has been repeatedly found to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
