Cannabis Weakens the Immune System

[DiabeticWarrior]

Hello, guys! I am new here. My name is Waleed. I am 32 yrs old from Egypt and I have been diabetic (type 1) since I was 11 years old. I saw the video "Run from the Cure" where he mentions that hemp oil (from buds and leaves not seeds) cure diabetes. Anyone tried this and can confirms it please? Thanx.

It's hard to say. I smoke every day and i am rarely sick. maybe once every three years. and i NEVER go to the doctor, i NEVER eat right, and i hardly exercise.

skeet.

[potlover33]

Smoking marijuana regularly (a joint a day) can damage the cells in the bronchial passages which protect the body against inhaled microorganisms and decrease the ability of the immune cells in the lungs to fight off fungi, bacteria, and tumor cells. For patients with already weakened immune systems, this means an increase in the possibility of dangerous pulmonary infections, including pneumonia, which often proves fatal in AIDS patients.

Studies further suggest that marijuana is a general "immunosuppressant" whose degenerative influence extends beyond the respiratory system. Regular smoking has been shown to materially affect the overall ability of the smoker's body to defend itself against infection by weakening various natural immune mechanisms, including macrophages (a.k.a. "killer cells") and the all-important T-cells. Obviously, this suggests the conclusion, which is well-supported by scientific studies, that the use of marijuana as a medical therapy can and does have a very serious negative effect on patients with pre-existing immune deficits resulting from AIDS, organ transplantation, or cancer chemotherapy, the very conditions for which marijuana has most often been touted and suggested as a treatment. It has also been shown that marijuana use can accelerate the progression of HIV to full-blown AIDS and increase the occurrence of infections and Kaposi's sarcoma. In addition, patients with weak immune systems will be even less able to defend themselves against the various respiratory cancers and conditions to which consistent marijuana use has been linked, and which are discussed briefly under "Respiratory Illnesses."

In conclusion, it seems that the potential dangers presented by the medical use of marijuana may actually contribute to the dangers of the diseases which it would be used to combat. Marijuana as a therapy, at least until a good deal more conclusive research has been completed concerning its debilitating effect on the immune system, is up to your consent.

[greenghost]

id say yes it does; but there are other factors involved. i happen to have lack of sleep this wk so i think that was contributed to the crappy cold i have now. however i did find an article about therapeutic uses of cannabis.

Potential Therapeutic Uses of Medical Cannabis

[Cattsy]

My two cents... FWIW

I believe, that as a species, our general state of health is MUCH lower than it was in times gone past. Despite our "advances" in medicine, I think that we, and our bodies, have gotten "out of touch" with our natural rythyms.

EVERYTHING weakens the immune system. The smog you breath in from cars and vehicles, the chemicals and crap we use in our homes, the preservatives and shit in our food, the vaccines and antibiotics and drugs we take for our symptoms, the petro-chemical synthetic crap called "vitamins"...

Everytime we breath in, everytime we put something in our mouths, everytime we touch something our immune system is "challenged" we dont' live in bubbles or sterile environments.

I think the arguement that pot "lowers the immune system" is a moot point. Of COURSE it does, it's something "outside" that we are putting into our bodies, which means our bodies have to evaluate it and decide wether it's a risk or not. The more the immune system is "challenged" in artificial ways, the less able it is to defend itself against the most common of challenges. Something like smoking, like someone else mentioned, is also introducing foreign bodies into our lungs, which can cause physical damage, which stimulates the body to gt rid of it, which in turn causes an immune/healing response, which keeps the body from fighting off other challenges...

(I know I'm rambling, I'm stoned I get philosophical when I'm baked)

I guess in summary, sure it lowers the immune system, but its risk vs benefit, just like anything else we put in our bodies (ei "is that fast food meal, thats full of preservatives, additives, chemicals and crap really worth the quick meal" Sure it might be but your guts wll probably hate you later )

[Pay It Forward]

Hi Cattsey, there's nothing wrong with going to MickeyD'S once or twice a month. Think moderation.

Lowering immune system....I've used edibles for years (everyday). I'm now 58 and have an excellent immune system.

PIF

[Cattsy]

Hi Cattsey, there's nothing wrong with going to MickeyD'S once or twice a month. Think moderation.

Lowering immune system....I've used edibles for years (everyday). I'm now 58 and have an excellent immune system.

PIF

Even I get a craving for Mcrotten's every once and awhile Moderations is defenitely the key, more was trying to make a point that we challenge our immune systems all the time, and a bit of pot is the least of our worries guess that didn't come over very clear lol

[FlyinPolynesian]

You gotta keep in mind Diet affects the immune system on a large level as well. If you mix in a bad diet and heavy smoking I would say its possible. I am not an MD just an RN whoʻs in School for Bio Mechanical Engineering and Neurosciences.

But keep in mind that somewhere around 50% or regular Cannabis Smokers are also Cigarette Smokers as well and Cigarettes for fact lower the immune system.

But there are so many Variables involved itʻs hard to say certain.