Drogaddiction and the inmune system

Abstract

This paper reviews some available evidence on the immunological effects of marijuana, morphine, heroine and cocaine. After a short introduction on the pharmacological aspects of these drugs, we present human, animal and In vitro data on different parameters related with the immune system. A general conclusion is that all these drugs modulate the expression of receptors on cellular membranes. Cocaine seems to be a positive modulator since it increases immune responses which agrees with the fact that cocaine addicts do not frequently develop infectious problems. On the contrary, the other drugs seem to induce some immuno suppression and those with addiction to them present infections with a higher frequency. Nevertheless, before a final conclusion can be made, more studies carefully controlling all variables involved in drug addiction should be done in order to solve some of the apparent contradictions frequently found In the Literature.