Guest post by Danny @ http://rsoheals.com.au.

Today, there is growing interest regarding just what marijuana can do to our health. In the US, there were cases that made headlines regarding marijuana’s curative effects to the worst cases of epilepsy. These are some of the reasons why cannabis is now under the microscope to examine what it can really do. There are researchers who are now interested specifically regarding what cannabis treatment can do in order to help those with HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS, according to the World Health Organization, is affecting 34 million worldwide. Also, it is worth mentioniong that there was a recorded 1.7 million people who died worldwide due to HIV/AIDS related diseases. Though there are a number of preventive measures that the UN has been making, it is clear that a cure is still much needed.

CANNABIS AND HIV TREATMENT

According to a new research conducted in Louisiana, they have found out that THC shows a strong potential in treating HIV. With a group of infected primates, they provided medical THC doeses for 17 months. Based on their findings, those receiving THC showed less significant damage than the group that didn’t get such treatment. The signs of HIV were also significantly reduced.

This is not the first time where THC has intrigued researchers in regards to what it can do to stop the retrovirus’ progression. In 2011, there was a similar study that dwelled on the same topic of cannabinoid administration. In this study, scientists tested THC administration on primates affected with SIV. One month after the treatment using THC, the researchers were surprised to find that chronic cannabinoid administration did not exacerbate the immune dysfunction.

WHAT THIS COULD MEAN

These studies can be pointing towards disease modulation. Today, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is being administered in order to stop the replication and the progression of HIV. This includes three or more drugs. If not for HAART today, more people would have been affected with AIDS. The problem with HAART is that it has been associated with bone problems as well as arrhythmia and even breathing problems.

HOW DOES THC WORK?

THC works by targeting the CB2 receptors in the brain. In turn, the CB2 receptor activates the immune system, in particular areas such as the spleen and gastrointestinal tract. Now, what makes CB2 receptor a good sign for the researchers? CB1 receptor has been known to produce psychoactive effects. CB2, according to research, reacts positively in producing only the therapeutic aspects of THC. For instance, it has the ability to reduce swelling and alleviate pain.

What THC does is to bring healthy bacterial cells that block the virus from leaking through the cell walls. To make the explanation simpler, what THC does is to bring back the friendly bacteria taken out by the virus. This study however, is still not yet totally accepted as a means of stopping HIV. According to critics like Dr. Leslie Walker of Seattle Children’s Hospital, the benefits that THC has on the gastrointestinal lining may not be the same elsewhere in preventing infections.

APPLICABLE TO HUMANS?

Since all the tests mentioned above were done on animals, the question now is if there will come a time when these tests will be done on human beings. These studies are still new and may need a couple more years before being brought to human testing.