Lack of appetite is one of the symptoms caused by HIV and AIDS. The consumption of cannabis increases the desire to eat in these patients, improving their quality of life.

As we have mentioned in previous articles, medicinal cannabis is a plant with numerous virtues that have been used as a medicine for its therapeutic qualities since the beginning of civilization. As new diseases have been discovered, it has also been found that medical cannabis can be applied to improve its symptoms. This is the case with HIV and AIDS.

Learn additionally: What Is Cannabis?

What are HIV and AIDS?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a relatively recent viral infection that attacks the cells of the immune system by deteriorating it. This retrovirus destroys CD4 lymphocytes, cells in our body that are responsible for defending us from bacteria, viruses, and other types of microorganisms that make us sick.

HIV causes pathogens that would have no relevance in healthy bodies to become very dangerous in those who are infected. That disease, which should be insignificant in properly functioning immune systems, takes on a greater magnitude in a body that cannot defend itself, so our health is quite in danger.

One of the problems that the medical community encounters to fight against HIV is a virus that mutates very frequently, so although research is done it is very difficult to find a vaccine.

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease caused by HIV. Those who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, if they do not discover in time that they suffer from it, end up developing the disease.

First of all, we must make it clear that someone with HIV does not have to end up having AIDS. Fortunately today, HIV has become a chronic disease that, diagnosed early and with the right medications, does not have to be fatal.

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What effect does medical cannabis have on people affected by HIV and AIDS?

The cannabinoids present in cannabis are very useful to improve our health when we suffer from HIV or AIDS.

CBD (Cannabidiol) is a great natural treatment for those who want to relieve some of the symptoms of these ailments. Its beneficial effects have been studied and proven by universities such as Michigan or Columbia. These studies have revealed how patients can take advantage of the virtues of cannabis.

Here are some of the symptoms and side effects of medication that can relieve the use of medical cannabis:

Lack of appetite: It is proven that cannabinoids and drugs such as Dronabinol have the ability to increase calorie intake. This way we avoid the lack of appetite in HIV-positive people.

Anxiety: One of the effects of medical cannabis on people infected with HIV is the ability to improve their mood. People infected with this disease tend to have problems such as insomnia, depression, or anxiety.

Mental Impairment: People affected by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome may have cognitive impairment because the infection also affects the brain.

Nausea: One of the most widespread symptoms of HIV is nausea. This problem decreases the quality of life of patients and leads to constant discomfort.

Dronabinol is a cannabis-derived medicine that is prescribed for people being treated with chemotherapy and for AIDS sufferers. Its formula acts on the part of the brain that controls vomiting and nausea, in addition to appetite.

Neuropathy: HIV-positive people may suffer from a nerve disorder called sensory neuropathy. This pathology produces pain in the legs, making it difficult for them to move. Thanks to a study on the use of medical cannabis in SEROpositive patients with sensory neuropathy, it was shown that those who smoked cannabis managed to mitigate their pain by more than 50%.

Learn additionally: What are the benefits of CBD?

HIV in the twenty-first century

Currently, various medical investigations are still being done to determine how medical cannabis works in people with HIV and AIDS. One such study attempts to demonstrate whether cannabinoids are capable of slowing down the human immunodeficiency virus as it spreads through the body.

As you can see, medical cannabis is very effective for various pathologies, yet there is still much to discover. This question would be easier if this wonderful plant were legalized. Cannabis improves the quality of life of many sick people who see how access is more difficult because of their legal status. We hope that in a short time it will be easier to benefit from the medicinal properties of cannabis in our country.