World AIDS Day: How medical cannabis may offer support to those with HIV

However, unbeknownst to many, since 2018 medical cannabis has been available as an alternative option through private healthcare clinics like Releaf, when traditional approaches have proven ineffective. 

And our own research suggests, despite the intertwining history of HIV and medical cannabis, only around 2% of UK adults are aware cannabis-based medicines can be prescribed to help manage the symptoms of HIV. 

So, we thought now was the perfect time to give a recap of the potential of medical cannabis in HIV/AIDS symptom management. 

But first, here’s a bit more on World AIDS Day: 

World AIDS Day: Showing strength and solidarity

As a global movement designed to unite people all around the world affected by HIV, World AIDS Day campaigns to end the stigma associated with the virus, spreads awareness of the support available calling for strength and solidarity, and pays tribute to those no longer with us. 

And this is an extremely important cause. Over the last 40 years, more than 35 million people have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. 

But now, thanks to developments in medical care and the proactive approach taken to prevent transmission, diagnosis rates are increasing, and those with the virus can, and are expected to, live long, happy, and healthy lives because of the support and treatments now available.

What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, transmits from person to person through bodily fluids, damaging cells in the immune system and weakening its ability to fight everyday illnesses, diseases, and infections. 

Acquired immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) meanwhile, is the name given to infections and illnesses that occur after an immune system has been severely damaged by HIV. AIDS cannot be transmitted from person to person, and now thanks to medical improvements most people with HIV will not develop any AIDS-related illnesses. 

How many people have HIV/AIDS?

Last year, just over 6000 people received the news they had been diagnosed with HIV in England, and it’s estimated around 100,000 individuals were using HIV care services in England during 2023.

Other estimates suggest more than 4,000 others are also living with HIV, but they are not yet aware, and are yet to be diagnosed. 

Figures for those living with HIV in the UK vary, but globally it's estimated currently around 38 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. 

How is HIV/AIDS treated in the UK?

HIV/AIDS treatment plans vary from person to person depending on the symptoms they encounter, but as a standard If HIV is caught within the first 72 hours of transmission Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended as an emergency treatment. 

After that, regular blood tests are required to monitor the progression of the virus’ infection, and different antiretroviral therapies (ART) are prescribed, such as Atripla and Dovato. 

ARTs are usually by accompanied by conventional or generic medicines designed to target specific symptoms, such as opioid-based drugs to manage pain, melatonin for trouble sleeping, and SSRIs to manage mental health concerns. 

How does medical cannabis interact with HIV symptoms?

Medical cannabis has shown to interact with a number of HIV symptoms, which may be why 27% of people with HIV in the UK have tried using medical cannabis for symptom management before. 

Now these options are legally accessible in the UK through specialist doctors like those that work at Releaf and there is strong real-world evidence to demonstrate its potential in HIV-related pain management, and mental health support. 

For example, one survey found of those who use medical cannabis as part of their HIV treatment said it made a difference to their; appetite (97%), levels of anxiety (93%), depression (86%) and nausea (93%), paresthesia (85%) as well as muscle (94%) and nerve pain (90%). 

Another study, this time a small-scale randomised crossover clinical trial, found that at a tolerable dose, medical cannabis significantly reduced the intensity HIV-associated neuropathic pain compared to the placebo tested. 

While more research is required to further evidence the interaction between medical cannabis and HIV related symptoms, cannabis-based treatments are generally well tolerated and come with minimal side effects when accurately dosed. 

The intertwining history of HIV and medical cannabis

HIV and medical cannabis have a long intertwining history, with many activists who campaigned for its legalisation in the western world inspired by the therapeutic potential it offers those with HIV-associated weight and appetite loss, pain and mental health concerns.

In the US, grassroot activists like Dennis Peron and Mary Rathburn campaigned for political and societal changes towards during the AIDS epidemic after seeing the effects that cannabis was having on their friends and loved ones with HIV. At the same time, they distrusted cannabis edibles and medical cannabis to those that needed it most, starting a co-op relying on donations to help those suffering, despite facing numerous arrests each. 

In the early 90s after tireless campaigning, Proposition P was passed in San Francisco in 1991, which recommended the State of California make medical marijuana available to those who required it, and protect the physicians that prescribed it. In November 1996 The Compassionate Use Act, also known as California Proposition 215, came into effect, legalising the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.

22 years later, the UK followed suit, legalising medical cannabis for patients who have found traditional treatments to be ineffective, including those with HIV. 

Accessing medical cannabis for HIV/AIDS in the UK

If you or a loved one are living with HIV, and you’d like to find out more about whether medical cannabis may be able to help, we’re here to support you along the journey. 

Our online eligibility checker makes assessing your suitability an ease, simply fill our online checker and submit your medical records either manually or using our integrated NHS Login tool, and sit back while our doctors assess your suitability. 

If it appears medical cannabis may be an appropriate approach, you can schedule in for an initial consultation with one of our specialists to discuss the options available to you. To make it even easier, our Releaf+ subscription plans ensures cost-predictability for future treatments, regular virtual check ins with the clinical team, and free, safe and secure medication delivery - to make sure you get the very best from your treatment.

For more information about how it works, or to read up more on medical cannabis before making a decision, head over to our blog, education, or FAQ pages.