We often hear about inflammaging—chronic inflammation that is associated with premature ageing, cardiovascular disease, digestive issues, fatigue, skin complaints, anxiety, depression, and memory issues. Could medicinal marijuana be a new tool in our anti-inflammatory armoury?

One of the main sources of inflammation for people with HIV is leaky gut. Soon after seroconversion, HIV starts to irritate the lining of the gut and because the gut is a major reservoir for HIV, and hard for HIV treatment to get to, this irritation persists.

Studies observing gut-related inflammation found that symptoms of leaky gut and cellular markers of inflammation both improved in people with HIV using medicinal marijuana.

Another study done in postmortem settings measured the amount of HIV in the lymphatic tissue reservoirs of people who had passed away (of natural causes or causes unrelated to HIV). Compared with those who did not use medicinal marijuana, they found less HIV in the reservoir tissue and reduced markers of inflammation in the lymphatic systems of the people who did.

Several other studies undertaken in mice and monkeys have had comparable results. No large double blinded controlled studies have been undertaken in humans as researchers claim that medicinal marijuana users are difficult to study as they often forget appointments and important research information.

So, do we now all smoke medicinal marijuana daily? Twice daily? Hourly? The short answer is no. Smoking anything is associated with increased inflammation (that word again), lung disease, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke. Vaping medicinal marijuana is a much safer option.

This may be explained in part because vapers do not need to mix tobacco with their medicinal marijuana. Although, people who use bongs to smoke medicinal marijuana without tobacco experience lung disease, cardiovascular disease, and stroke at higher rates than the general population. This may be because people who use bongs often smoke tobacco as well. According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the US, smoking anything is harmful to your lungs, regardless of what you are smoking because of carcinogens released from the combustion of materials.

Some experts also claim that vaping is not without health risks. However, medicinal marijuana is probably much safer to vape than substances that contain flavours and other chemicals,.

The necessary blurb

Medicinal marijuana can cause psychosis, especially in those who have experienced psychosis previously. Since medicinal marijuana became legalised in the states, the US Drug Administration Board reports an increase in psychiatric hospitalisations in direct correlation to the places where medicinal marijuana is legal and to the amounts being sold.

These claims could be confused by the fact that medicinal marijuana users often take other drugs that can also cause psychosis, and the statement does not include information about types, amounts, or the histories of people experienced psychosis.

Most experts agree that if you regularly use medicinal marijuana and you know yourself and your limits well enough, and you can freely speak to your HIV prescriber about your medicinal cannabis use, you will probably be okay.

If you are quick to tell your HIV prescriber about any signs of psychosis they will be able to treat symptoms early, preventing them from worsening.

We do not share information about psychosis to put anyone off, but we do need to cover all relevant facts so that you can be fully informed, and therefore in control. Also, many HIV prescribers can also prescribe medicinal marijuana.

What about edibles?

Edibles could be the answer. Edibles have the advantage of lasting a lot longer in your system than inhaled marijuana.

There are companies that provide online consults and dispense medicinal marijuana, and many of them sell edibles, including oils.

The www.leafdoctors.com.au is one, and although the author cannot endorse them, they do have a check list of conditions for which medicinal marijuana can be legally prescribed. They also prescribe edibles as per advice from one of their retail pharmacy outlets, and will deliver to your local pharmacy or your home.

These services can be expensive, which is why some people choose to bake and make their own edibles. There are recipes online for biscuits, bikkies, cookies, brownies, and gummies, with YouTube clips to guide you.

 If you have not previously used any form of marijuana, please remember that less is more. You might like to start low and go slow. A mild high may be all you need.

What about the law?

Do not drive with medicinal marijuana in your system. All random breath testing vehicles can also test for drugs and this technology does not measure the amount of medicinal marijuana that you have.  There is little consensus regarding what constitutes a safe level of medicinal marijuana, so driving under its influence carries similar penalties to drink driving.

Also, if you travel overseas with prescribed medicinal marijuana make sure you carry it in its original package in case you are asked about it by security or customs. It is wise to check which countries are fine with you carrying it and which are not.

Recently, Federal laws guiding the supply and sale of vaping products have changed. You can no longer buy them online or from a tobacconist.

Vaping  equipment can only be purchased from a pharmacist with a prescription. You can get a prescription from doctors or nurse practitioners who are registered medical marijuana prescribers, including many HIV specialist prescribers, as well as registered companies that provide online services.

It will continue to be legal to vape medicinal marijuana and to carry it on your person. Although it is a smart idea to also carry your prescription or a doctor’s letter. It is not legal to vape medicinal marijuana or tobacco in public places around other people in case others are affected by exhaled products of vaping.

Final thoughts

In addition to the health benefits of medicinal marijuana, we can now include its anti-inflammatory properties. But as with any medication there can be side effects. Mixing tobacco with medicinal marijuana will negate any of its anti-inflammatory benefits. Even smoking medicinal marijuana without tobacco in a bong or joint could cause more health issues than benefits, so seriously consider vaping, edibles, or oil.

If you have any comments about this piece or know of an HIV prescriber or online service that you would recommend, please email this information to: info@napwha.org.au

References:

Cannabis and Inflammation in HIV: A Review of Human and Animal Studies

Daily cannabis use is associated with lower CNS inflammation in people with HIV

Recent cannabis use in HIV is associated with reduced inflammatory markers in CSF and blood