People with HIV had altered endocannabinoid levels, but cannabis use frequency did not change immune markers | Research

The takeaway

People living with HIV had higher inflammatory markers and lower endocannabinoid levels than HIV-negative peers, but cannabis use frequency did not affect these immune measures.

HIV researchers, endocannabinoid scientists, and clinicians managing cannabis use in PLWH.

What the researchers found

PLWH had higher TNFR2 (p=0.013) and CD27 (p=0.004) and lower anandamide (p=0.027) and OEA (p=0.007) versus HIV-negative men. Cannabis use frequency did not impact any serum analyte.

Why it matters

Lower endocannabinoid levels in PLWH suggest HIV affects the body's cannabinoid system. The null finding on cannabis frequency is reassuring for PLWH who use cannabis.

The numbers in context

36 men (19 PLWH). TNFR2 and CD27 higher in PLWH. Anandamide and OEA lower. Cannabis frequency: no effect on any analyte.

How the study worked

Longitudinal study of 36 MSM in LA (19 PLWH). Each contributed visits during daily and infrequent cannabis use. Serum analyzed for immune biomarkers and endocannabinoids.

What this study cannot tell us

Very small sample (n=36). PLWH had higher methamphetamine and cigarette use. MSM population.

How to read the evidence

Clever within-person design but very small sample limits power and generalizability.

When this study was published

2024 publication.

The bigger picture

HIV alters endocannabinoid levels, pointing to FAAH enzyme activity as potentially important in HIV-related immune dysfunction.

Questions still open

Would FAAH inhibitors normalize endocannabinoid levels in PLWH?
Do findings generalize beyond MSM?

Common questions

Does cannabis affect the immune system in HIV?

Cannabis use frequency did not change immune markers here. However, HIV itself lowered endocannabinoid levels, suggesting the virus affects the body's cannabinoid system.

What are endocannabinoids?

Molecules your body naturally produces that work through the same receptors as cannabis. Anandamide and OEA were both lower in PLWH.

Read the original research

Changes in Immune-Related Biomarkers and Endocannabinoids as a Function of Frequency of Cannabis Use in People Living With and Without HIV.

Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 9(3), e897-e906

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Murray, Conor H; Javanbakht, Marjan; Cho, Grace D; Gorbach, Pamina M; Fulcher, Jennifer A; Cooper, Ziva D. (2024). Changes in Immune-Related Biomarkers and Endocannabinoids as a Function of Frequency of Cannabis Use in People Living With and Without HIV.. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 9(3), e897-e906. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2022.0287