What does science say about CBD (cannabidiol) and HIV?
- We don’t say yes or no. We show what has been studied.
- Working in a lab or in animals does not mean it works in people.
- Don’t stop or change your treatment without talking to your doctor.
What has been studied
- Lab studies (cells)Tests on cells in a dish.Source: PubMed · as of 6 Nov 2026 · Open the search at PubMed5studies
- Animal studiesTests in mice, rats or other animals.Source: PubMed · as of 6 Nov 2026 · Open the search at PubMed7studies
- Studies in peoplePublished studies with human participants.Source: PubMed · as of 6 Nov 2026 · Open the search at PubMed7studies
- Registered trials in peopleTrials entered in a public registry, whatever their result.ClinicalTrials.gov: 4 · as of 6 Nov 2026 · Open the search at ClinicalTrials.govEU CTIS: 0 · as of 6 Nov 2026 · Open the search at EU CTISBy phase:Phase 2 (2)No phase (1)Early Phase 1 (1)By status:Completed (2)Running, not recruiting (1)Recruiting (1)Countries (1):United States (4)With a linked publication (results): 0 of 4The registries do not tell us here whether results were posted; a linked publication is shown instead.4trials
- Approved treatmentApproved by a medicines regulator for this disease.No
Examples of what we found
The trials
Phase 2
Effects of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol on Microbiome and Neuroinflammation in HIV
Recruiting · United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT05514899Phase 2
Cannabis Effects on Antiretroviral Therapy Pharmacokinetics and Neurotoxicity
Running, not recruiting · United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT04800159Early Phase 1
Cannabis Use, Cognition, and the Endocannabinoid System in HIV
Completed · United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT04883255No phase
Pain Inflammation and Cannabis in HIV
Completed · United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT05554146
Thinking of paying for it? Read this first
- Ask for published results. Stories, thank-you letters and "patients report" are not results. Ask where the results were published.
- Know what you pay for. Ask in writing: what exactly is included, who gets the money, and what happens if you stop.
- Ask your own doctor first. Some products interfere with chemotherapy, radiation or other medicines. Your treating doctor can check this.
- Do not stop standard treatment for it. Do not stop or delay your treatment without talking to your care team.
Other treatments people ask about
- Cannabis and cannabinoids (CBD, THC)Step: Large trials
- Curcumin (turmeric)Step: Large trials
- Fasting and fasting-mimicking dietStep: Large trials
- High-dose vitamin CStep: Large trials
- HyperthermiaStep: Large trials
- IvermectinStep: Large trials
- Ketogenic dietStep: Large trials
- MebendazoleStep: Large trials
- MetforminStep: Large trials
- Mistletoe extractStep: Large trials
- StatinsStep: Large trials
- Vitamin DStep: Large trials
- MelatoninStep: Phase 2 trials
- Amygdalin (laetrile, "vitamin B17")Step: Reports in people
Not medical advice. Talk to the care team before changing treatment.