Cannabis Use in HIV for Pain and Other Medical Symptoms

Abstract

Despite the major benefits of antiretroviral therapy on survival during HIV infection, there is an increasing need to manage symptoms and side effects during long-term drug therapy. Cannabis has been reported anecdotally as being beneficial for a number of common symptoms and complications in HIV infections, for example, poor appetite and neuropathy. This study aimed to investigate symptom management with cannabis. Following Ethics Committee approval, HIV-positive individuals attending a large clinic were recruited into an anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire study. Up to one-third (27%, 143/523) reported using cannabis for treating symptoms. Patients reported improved appetite (97%), muscle pain (94%), nausea (93%), anxiety (93%), nerve pain (90%), depression (86%), and paresthesia (85%). Many cannabis users (47%) reported associated memory deterioration. Symptom control using cannabis is widespread in HIV outpatients. A large number of patients reported that cannabis improved symptom control.

Antidepressant-like activity and modulation of brain monoaminergic transmission by blockade of anandamide hydrolysis

“…Surprisingly, this controversy is still unsettled. Indeed, although clinical trials of cannabis in affective disorders have yielded mixed results (7,8), many patients continue to report benefits from its use in primary or secondary depressive syndromes (9)(10)(11)(12)(13). One likely explanation for these contrasting data is suggested by the diversity of functions served by CB 1 receptors in the brain (14), which makes it difficult to separate the mood-elevating actions of ⌬ 9 -THC from its unwanted psychotropic effects.…”

Modulation of pain transmission by G-protein-coupled receptors

“…Cannabis-based medicinal extracts significantly reduce neuropathic pain in patients (Berman et al, 2004). Cannabis also effectively reduces neuropathic pain in patients with HIV-associated sensory neuropathy (Woolridge et al, 2005;Abrams et al, 2007). A single oral dose of cannabis extract (Cannador) can provide adequate postoperative pain relief (Holdcroft et al, 2006).…”

Cannabinoids – Influence on the Immune System and Their Potencial Use in Supplementary Therapy of HIV/AIDS

“…There is still no cure available for this disease, although remarkable improvements in the quality and life expectancy have been achieved. Most of the patients are on long-term treatment with combinations of antiretroviral therapies and cope with the side effects of these therapies (nausea, vomiting, pain, reduced appetite, weight loss, headaches, diarrhea, constipation, anxiety and depression) (Woolridge et al, 2005). Recently, therapeutic use of marijuana has emerged as an important issue for people living with HIV/AIDS.…”

“…Recently, therapeutic use of marijuana has emerged as an important issue for people living with HIV/AIDS. Fogarty et al reported that people with HIV/AIDS who use marijuana indicate improved moods, sensory experiences, creativity, increased socialising, elation and changes in appetite (Fogarty et al, 2007;Woolridge et al, 2005 (Woolridge et al, 2005). The ability of cannabinoid to treat pain, nausea, appetite loss, muscle spasm and a wide variety of other symptoms causes that more and more HIV/AIDS patients reach for marijuana as an alternative remedy.…”