Marijuana has long been used to battle the weight loss and nausea associated with HIV/AIDS, but new research suggests the drug may help stop the spread of the virus, as well.

HIV infects and kills healthy immune cells, but researchers at Louisiana State University observed that animals that received THC, the active ingredient in pot, demonstrated lower levels of the virus and higher survival rates. According to their report, published in AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, test subjects also had a spike in the number of immune cells and experienced less weight loss.

Dr. Patricia Molina explains to Leaf Science:

We thought it was going to increase viral load— we thought it was going to decrease [healthy] lymphocyte counts much more dramatically, and we did not see that. If anything, it looks like there might be some beneficial immunomodulation, particularly at the early stages of infection.”

The drug's effect on the immune system is mostly due to its action on CB2 receptors, one of the two regions that THC binds to. CB1 receptors, on the other hand, are responsible for the "high" associated with marijuana.

We're sure some party-pooper scientist will come up with a drug that provides the beneficial medical effect without a pleasant buzz.