How heavy cannabis use affects thinking and HIV prevention in young Black sexual minority men
Official title: Heavy cannabis use, neurocognition and PrEP care engagement among young Black sexual minority men
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11402104 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether heavy cannabis use changes thinking and decision-making and how that affects taking HIV prevention medicine (PrEP) among young Black sexual minority men.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $62,320 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DA057351-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11402104 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are young Black sexual minority men who live or receive services on Chicago's South Side, especially those who use cannabis.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not Black sexual minority men, who live outside the Chicago area, or who are not engaged with PrEP-related services are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
What this research studies
You will be asked about your cannabis use, sexual behavior, and PrEP care, and may complete tests of thinking, decision-making, and other brain-related assessments. The researchers will combine your reports and test results with records of PrEP engagement and HIV prevention services over time. Recruitment focuses on young Black sexual minority men on the South Side of Chicago through local health department and CDC-supported programs. The team aims to see whether cannabis-related changes in thinking help explain who starts and stays on PrEP.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help programs better support people who use cannabis so more at-risk individuals start and stay on PrEP.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked heavy cannabis use to risky sexual behavior and cognitive changes, but using these findings to improve PrEP participation is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schneider, John — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Schneider, John
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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.