Cannabis Use, Brain Function, and HIV
Official title: Translational Studies of Cannabis Administration, Cognition, and the Endocannabinoid System in HIV
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11046697 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how cannabis use affects thinking, decision-making, and the body's natural cannabinoid system in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $812,158 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA051295-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046697 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for related future studies would be individuals aged 21 or older who are living with HIV and use cannabis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have HIV or do not use cannabis would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Many people with HIV use cannabis, either for medical reasons or recreationally, but we don't fully understand its effects on their brain function and overall health. This project aims to clarify how cannabis interacts with HIV treatments and influences cognitive abilities like decision-making and attention. We want to learn if cannabis offers benefits, like reducing inflammation, or if it might lead to negative consequences in people with HIV. Understanding these interactions is important because HIV can affect brain regions that are also influenced by cannabis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help patients and doctors make more informed decisions about cannabis use in the context of HIV, potentially leading to better management of cognitive health.
How similar studies have gone: While cannabis is often recommended for HIV symptoms, the specific consequences and interactions with HIV treatments and the endocannabinoid system in people with HIV are still largely unclear.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Minassian, Arpi — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Minassian, Arpi
Related research
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Oral bacteria and cognition in people with HIV who use cannabis
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Oral Bacteria, Cannabis Use, and Thinking Skills in People with HIV
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Exploring how oral bacteria from cannabis use affects brain function in people with HIV
This study is looking at how the bacteria in the mouth might affect thinking skills in people with HIV who use cannabis regularly, to see if certain types of bacteria can help or hurt their brain function.
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Cognition After War: A new {HCAP} for older adults and their children
A study will create a standardized cognitive test battery for older veterans and their midlife children to understand how early-life war exposure might influence dementia risk.
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Cognition After War: A New, Harmonized Cognitive Check for Older Adults and Their Children
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.