CBD and THC effects on gut bacteria, the endocannabinoid system, and brain inflammation in people with HIV
Effects of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol on the Microbiome, Endocannabinoids and Neuroinflammation in HIV
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-11303318
People with and without HIV will take short courses of oral CBD and THC so researchers can compare how these compounds change gut bacteria, endocannabinoid signals, and signs of brain inflammation.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11303318 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This is a human clinical trial enrolling people with HIV and people without HIV to study how short courses of oral cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) affect the gut microbiome, the body’s endocannabinoid system, and markers of brain inflammation. Participants will be randomized in a crossover design to 14 days of oral THC and 14 days of oral CBD, with washout periods between exposures. The study will collect stool for metagenomic sequencing, blood and cerebrospinal fluid for immune and endocannabinoid measures, and tests of blood-brain barrier function. We want to learn whether changes in gut bacteria and gut barrier health help explain any effects of cannabinoids on inflammation and brain function in people with HIV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults living with HIV who are medically stable and willing to undergo blood draws, stool collection, and a lumbar puncture, with a matched comparison group of adults without HIV.
Not a fit: People who are pregnant, unable to take cannabinoids, have unstable medical or psychiatric conditions, or cannot undergo lumbar puncture are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to whether CBD or THC help reduce inflammation and improve gut and brain health in people living with HIV, guiding new treatment approaches or clinical trials.
How similar studies have performed: Some observational studies have linked cannabis use to altered inflammation and gut changes, but randomized human trials testing short-term CBD/THC effects on the microbiome and neuroinflammation in HIV are limited and this approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO — LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ELLIS, RONALD J. — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- Study coordinator: ELLIS, RONALD J.
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 below.
Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus