TY - JOUR
T1 - Cannabis Use in HIV
T2 - Impact on Inflammation, Immunity and the Microbiome
AU - Langat, Robert
AU - Chakrawarti, Ashma
AU - Klatt, Nichole R.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.
PY - 2025/12
Y1 - 2025/12
N2 - Purpose of Review: This review explores how cannabis impacts the gut microbiome, immune system, and ART outcomes in people with HIV (PWH). Given the increasing prevalence of cannabis use among PWH, we investigated its potential to reduce chronic inflammation and enhance gut health, both of which can influence HIV pathogenesis. Recent Findings: Cannabis has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, including reducing systemic inflammatory biomarkers (such as MCP-1 and IP-10) and improving gut barrier integrity through increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Studies have shown that cannabis use is associated with increased gut mucosal immunity, decreased immune activation, and a unique microbiome composition. Preliminary evidence indicates that cannabis may influence HIV reservoirs, although the results remain inconclusive. Summary: Cannabis shows promise in managing inflammation, gut dysbiosis, and immune dysfunction in PWH. However, its effects on HIV reservoirs, adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and long-term outcomes need further investigation through rigorous clinical trials using standardized formulations.
AB - Purpose of Review: This review explores how cannabis impacts the gut microbiome, immune system, and ART outcomes in people with HIV (PWH). Given the increasing prevalence of cannabis use among PWH, we investigated its potential to reduce chronic inflammation and enhance gut health, both of which can influence HIV pathogenesis. Recent Findings: Cannabis has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, including reducing systemic inflammatory biomarkers (such as MCP-1 and IP-10) and improving gut barrier integrity through increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Studies have shown that cannabis use is associated with increased gut mucosal immunity, decreased immune activation, and a unique microbiome composition. Preliminary evidence indicates that cannabis may influence HIV reservoirs, although the results remain inconclusive. Summary: Cannabis shows promise in managing inflammation, gut dysbiosis, and immune dysfunction in PWH. However, its effects on HIV reservoirs, adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and long-term outcomes need further investigation through rigorous clinical trials using standardized formulations.
KW - Aantiretroviral therapy
KW - Ccannabis
KW - HIV
KW - Iinflammation
KW - Microbiome
KW - Mmucosal immunity
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U2 - 10.1007/s11904-025-00729-0
DO - 10.1007/s11904-025-00729-0
M3 - Review article
C2 - 39984806
AN - SCOPUS:85218408189
SN - 1548-3568
VL - 22
JO - Current HIV/AIDS Reports
JF - Current HIV/AIDS Reports
IS - 1
M1 - 19
ER -
