Opiates and HIV

[Gaz_hmmmm]

I read this "Opiates appear to increase the ability of HIV to infect certain immune system cells." from http://opioids.com/morphine/200-anniv.html

Is this true, and if so, does anyone have any research regarding it?

I was thinking, if this is true, wouldn't a agonist/antagonist like Bup' or Nalbuphine be better suited for someone who needed opi's and had HIV?

 

[BilZ0r]

It looks like it is true
Opioids generally inhibit the immune sysmte

Opioids inhibit T-cell mediated antiHIV activity

People on methadone need Antiviral treatment well before the non MMT counterparts

Monkies with simian AIDs are worse off when they take opioids

THC might do the same.

It's like that a partial agonist would be better than a full agonist, but of course, no opioids would be better.

 

[ayjay]

^some anti retro viral meds also interact adversely with methadone and other opiates. Not sure what the story is for bupe though...

 

[Gaz_hmmmm]

I don't understand this at all. It says that opi's suppress your immune system, yet I never get ill at all. The only times I'm ill is when I don't have opi's, and that's obviously withdrawl!

I know that feeling happy boosts the immune system and obviously opi's do that. Plus opi's suppress your sympathetic nervous system, which reduces stress and I imagine this makes you healthier overall, as you have less adrenaline pumping around your body.

Is there any possibility that opi's boost the immune system at all?