Cannabis compounds tested to fight HIV brain inflammation
NCT ID NCT05514899
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at how CBD and THC, two compounds found in cannabis, affect inflammation and brain health in people with HIV. About 90 participants will take both substances in a random order over six weeks. Researchers will measure blood markers and brain function to better understand how cannabis interacts with HIV-related inflammation.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward new ways to reduce inflammation and brain problems in people with HIV.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study focused on understanding, not treatment. Results may not lead to any new therapies, and cannabis can have side effects like dizziness or mood changes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 90 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2023
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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21 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
1. Aged 21 to 70 years old 2. Possess the capacity to provide informed consent to a set of neuromedical assessment procedures. 3. Experience with cannabis use at least once in the past 5 years without major adverse effects (e.g., psychosis, syncope) 4. No or low cannabis use in the past 2 weeks, defined as no cannabis exposure or use or use limited to only once in the past 2 weeks. 5. Willing to abstain from use of cannabis, CBD, THC, or synthetic cannabinoids outside the study during the 6-week intervention 6. Individuals with HIV must meet the following criteria 1. Virally suppressed on stable ART for at least 6 months and have no more than 1 prior event of virologic failure (i.e., required change in ARTs due to virologic failure) 2. Stage 1 or 2 infection 3. Have a "normal" CD4 count defined as ≥350 cells/microliter 4. No significant history of ART regimen adherence challenges 7. Ability to adhere to the study visit schedule. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Exclusion criteria will be: any substance use disorder (abuse or dependence) other than cannabis in the last 30 days; 2. Significant cognitive impairment such as Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease 3. Pregnancy or lactation, or unwillingness to prevent pregnancy during the trial; refusal to maintain highly effective contraceptive methods (e.g., implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, some intrauterine devices (IUDs), sexual abstinence or vasectomized partner) during the study for persons of child-bearing potential or those with partners of child-bearing potential 4. Evidence of moderately or worse compromised liver or kidney function, including moderate (Child-Hugh B) or severe (Child-Hugh C) hepatic impairment and AST and ALT above ULN and total bilirubin above ULN; 5. Evidence of significant cardiovascular risk, resting heart rate \<50 or \>110 beats per minute, uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure \<80 or \>140 mmHg; diastolic blood pressure \<50 or \>90 mmHg), history of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, or arrhythmia); 6. Evidence of chronic pulmonary disease requiring supplemental oxygen; 7. Active, recent, or remote medical history of hepatobiliary-related illness, including elevated transaminase levels above 3 times the upper limit of normal accompanied by elevations in total bilirubin above 2 times the upper limit of normal at screening; 8. Insulin dependent diabetics 9. Allergy to the study drugs or any of their constituents including sesame 10. Use of medications with absolute contraindicated or potential significant interactions 11. Use of sedating medications 12. Weighing less than 60 kg at screening to minimize the risk of elevated transaminases as a result of exposure to cannabidiol; 13. Active, uncontrolled psychiatric disorder with psychotic features, severe depression, or suicidality; Participants will be excluded if they have had a history of suicide attempt, recent suicidal ideation or behavior as indexed by their Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score is greater than or equal to 29 (severe depression). 14. Neurologic disorder that could compromise interpretation of study findings, including uncontrolled seizure disorder (active seizures within the past 3 months), multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and recent (past 3 months) cerebral infarction or hemorrhage with neurological sequelae.
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP)
RECRUITINGSan Diego, California, 92103, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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