Please read Dr. Crystal’s article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health titled, “Self-Reported Cannabis Use and HIV Viral Control among Patients with HIV Engaged in Care: Results from a National Cohort Study.“
Cannabis use is highly prevalent among people with HIV (PWH), with approximately 77% and 34% of PWH reporting lifetime and past-year cannabis use, respectively. Reasons for cannabis use among PWH include recreational and symptom management purposes, for symptoms including pain, nausea, poor appetite, depression, and anxiety. Preclinical HIV studies have found that cannabinoids can reduce inflammation and viral load, while others have shown immunosuppression and elevated viral replication rates. In clinical studies, cannabis use has not been linked to mortality and may be associated with higher CD4 counts and retention in HIV care. However, the relationship between cannabis use and other HIV-related outcomes (e.g., CD4 count, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, and viral load) has been inconsistent and inconclusive. For example, while six studies found a significant association between cannabis use and ART adherence or higher viral loads among PWH, nine found negative effects. To read the full article.
Self-Reported Cannabis Use and HIV Viral Control among Patients with HIV Engaged in Care: Results from a National Cohort Study. Bahji A, Li Y, Vickers-Smith R, Crystal S, Kerns RD, Gordon KS, Macmadu A, Skanderson M, So-Armah K, Sung ML, Bhondoekhan F, Marshall BDL, Edelman EJ .Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 6;19(9):5649. PMID: 35648400 PMID: 35565045 PMCID: PMC9101884 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095649