“Marijuana’s active ingredient killed herpes viruses in test-tube experiments…
University of South Florida microbiologist Gerald Lancz said his study may help scientists discover new anti-herpes medicines.
“Marijuana’s active ingredient killed herpes viruses in test-tube experiments…
University of South Florida microbiologist Gerald Lancz said his study may help scientists discover new anti-herpes medicines.
Lancz said it might be possible to find substances related to THC that don’t affect the mind but do kill viruses.
Lancz and his colleagues incubated THC and various viruses in test tubes.
They found that, in doses somewhat higher than found in the blood of regular marijuana users, THC killed herpes simplex virus 1, which causes the cold sores that typify oral herpes.
The scientists didn’t test THC against herpes simplex 2, the genital herpes virus. But Lancz said the drug almost certainly will kill the genital herpes virus because it is so similar to the oral herpes virus.
The study found THC also killed cytomegalovirus, a herpes virus that causes flu-like symptoms in adults and is the most common infectious cause of birth defects in the United States.”