Compare the Best CBD Oil for HIV in 2022

How CBD May Help With HIV

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks CD4 cells (T cells), which are white blood cells that play a crucial role in the immune system by fighting infections⁽²⁾.

It is worth noting that most people with HIV do not have AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). AIDS is a severe form of HIV infection and is only diagnosed when a person’s CD4 count becomes extremely low⁽³⁾. 

CBD (cannabidiol) is an active cannabinoid present in the cannabis plant. This non-psychoactive compound has shown promise as a pharmaceutical and therapeutic drug target of several scientific investigations⁽⁴⁾. 

CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis, has been shown to interact with the endocannabinoid system’s cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2)⁽⁵⁾. 

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is responsible for maintaining balance in the body. CB1 and CB2 are involved in numerous physiological processes.

CB2 receptors have been shown to modulate immune cell functions, likely affecting CBD-induced anti-inflammatory effects⁽⁶⁾. The compound is also believed to have immunosuppressive mechanisms⁽⁷⁾. 

The major challenges of the modern HIV treatment period are persistent inflammation and immune activation⁽⁸⁾. CBD’s therapeutic potential may help with these challenges.   

A study from the journal Cellular Immunology indicated that CBD may maintain its immunosuppressive activity under low-level stimulation through the induction of functional regulatory T cells⁽⁹⁾. 

Regulatory T cells, also known as Tregs, are a specialized subpopulation of T cells that suppresses immune responses, maintaining homeostasis or balance. 

Tregs may prevent autoimmunity⁽¹⁰⁾, a form of immune response of a particular organism against its healthy cells. 

These findings are not focused on CBD and its effect on HIV. Still, CBD’s therapeutic potential and activity in the ECS may help future researchers conducting longitudinal studies about CBD and how it may help with HIV. 

Benefits of Using CBD for HIV

Chronic pain in HIV patients is multifactorial and may be influenced by HIV-induced peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage), drug-induced peripheral neuropathy, and chronic inflammation⁽¹¹⁾. 

Meanwhile, an experimental pain study suggested that CBD pain relief may be driven by its pharmacological action and psychological placebo effects⁽¹²⁾. 

The placebo effect creates a stronger connection between the brain and the body and how they work together⁽¹³⁾. 

Meanwhile, a systematic review and meta-analysis hypothesized that CBD may help with chronic neuropathic pain (nerve pain) by looking at 11 randomized controlled trials involving 1,219 participants⁽¹⁴⁾. 

A study led by Ethan B. Russo, MD, a psychopharmacology researcher and neurologist, mentioned that CBD appears to act as an inhibitor of glutamate neurotoxicity and seems to display antioxidant activity greater than vitamins C and E⁽¹⁵⁾. 

CBD may reduce the toxic levels of glutamate-induced neurotoxicity by 40%⁽¹⁶⁾. Glutamate neurotoxicity refers to increasing damage of cell components, leading to cell death. HIV, in particular, induces cell death in T cells⁽¹⁷⁾. 

A clinical trial from Annals of Internal Medicine examined the short-term effect of cannabinoids in patients with HIV-1 infection⁽¹⁸⁾. 

Sixty-seven patients with HIV-1 infection were randomly assigned to a 3.95% THC-marijuana cigarette, a 2.5mg dronabinol (a manufactured form of THC capsule), or a placebo capsule three times per day before meals. 

The results showed that inhaled and ingested cannabinoids may not seem unsafe in individuals with HIV infection based on protease inhibitor levels, HIV RNA levels, and CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts over a 21-day treatment⁽¹⁹⁾.  

Protease inhibitors are meds that may interact with enzymes that cleave protein. Meanwhile, CD4 is known as helper T cells that assist other blood cells in producing an immune response. CD8 induces cell death. 

Another thing that adds to CBD’s appeal as a therapeutic drug is its purported ability to offset the psychiatric side effects of THC⁽²⁰⁾. 

Still, more longitudinal research is needed to elucidate the benefits of using CBD for HIV symptoms.

How to Take CBD Oil for HIV

There are various ways to take CBD oil for HIV. Below are commonly used administration routes to benefit from CBD:

• Inhalation
• Ingestion
• Sublingual (under the tongue) route
• Topical absorption 

Remember that these delivery methods have their pros and cons. 

For instance, inhaling CBD using vape pens is the fastest delivery method⁽²¹⁾. 

The onset time of CBD via the inhalation route is between 2 and 15 minutes, and its effect usually lasts from 2 to 4 hours⁽²²⁾. 

However, most e-cigarette users report that they experience a dry mouth and throat following vaping⁽²³⁾. Individuals with primary infections of HIV may develop common symptoms, such as sore throat and painful mouth sores⁽²⁴⁾. 

Therefore, vaping may not be safe for some HIV patients. In addition, vaping may damage the lungs⁽²⁵⁾. 

Meanwhile, taking CBD under the tongue may ensure prompt compound delivery into one’s system⁽²⁶⁾. 

Unlike smoking, the sublingual route does not expose the lungs to heat. Hence, you can avoid dealing with a smoky taste, dry mouth, and throat irritation⁽²⁷⁾. 

The capillaries under the tongue and within the mouth absorb CBD into the bloodstream before being swallowed⁽²⁸⁾. 

 If you choose to take CBD sublingually, you will feel its effect within 15 to 30 minutes, and it may last from 2 to 4 hours⁽²⁹⁾. 

CBD Dosage for HIV

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not approved CBD as a medical treatment for HIV. Therefore, there is no standard CBD dosage for such a condition.

HIV infection can damage lymphoid and mucosa tissues, resulting in progressive immunodeficiency excess levels of pathogens (disease-causing organisms) and inflammation⁽³⁰⁾. 

Mid-range doses of CBD between 10mg and 100mg per day may help with inflammation, pain, weight loss, and several medical conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, anxiety, and multiple sclerosis⁽³¹⁾. 

Multiple sclerosis is a disabling disease of the central nervous system. 

Still, it is best to consult a doctor experienced in cannabis use to determine the proper CBD dose for HIV. 

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With HIV?

How long CBD takes to help with HIV symptoms depends on several factors, including the administration route, individual body weight, the type of CBD, and CBD potency.

For instance, the onset time of CBD via the sublingual route is between 15 and 30 minutes⁽³²⁾. 

How Long Will CBD Help With HIV?

How long CBD will last after it starts to help with HIV symptoms depends on its bioavailability and half-life.

Bioavailability is the extent to which a particular substance becomes entirely available to its intended biological destinations. 

Meanwhile, half-life refers to the length of time needed for the concentration of a specific drug to decrease by 50% of its starting dose. 

About 94% to 97% of a substance will have been eliminated after four to five half-lives⁽³³⁾. 

CBD’s bioavailability via the sublingual route is between 6% and 20%⁽³⁴⁾. In addition, CBD is reported to have a half-life between 1.4 and 10.9 hours following oromucosal spray⁽³⁵⁾. 

How to Choose the Right CBD for HIV

CBD brands aim to offer various CBD products in different formats, potencies, and concentrations. However, HIV patients should consider the following when choosing the best CBD oil products for their condition:

1. Always seek medical advice from a licensed doctor versed in cannabis use. 
2. Choose a CBD brand that is transparent with its farming practices. Legitimate producers grow hemp in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), state, and tribal plans.
3. Make sure that the company has enlisted the services of a third-party laboratory to test all of its products. 
4. Opt for CBD brands that include a disclaimer label on their products. For instance, the FDA does not advertise cannabidiol as a dietary supplement⁽³⁶⁾.
5.  Learn about the different CBD extracts. A full-spectrum CBD product contains all compounds of the cannabis plant, including essential oils. It also has less than 0.3% of THC. 

Moreover, this CBD variant is known to provide the entourage effect due to the presence of all cannabis compounds. 

The entourage effect is a concept wherein the biologically active compounds of cannabis work better when administered together. 

The Frontiers in Plant Science study hypothesized that the entourage effect in full-spectrum hemp extracts may produce better therapeutic benefits than pure CBD⁽³⁷⁾. 

Meanwhile, broad-spectrum CBD also contains all of the natural compounds of cannabis except for THC. Lastly, CBD isolates are made of pure cannabidiol. 

Is CBD Safe for HIV?

The WHO (World Health Organization) has reported that cannabidiol has a good safety profile⁽³⁸⁾.

Moreover, a review from Current Drug Safety stated that chronic use and high doses of CBD up to 1,500mg per day are well tolerated in humans⁽³⁹⁾. 

Still, you should consult a doctor versed in cannabis use, primarily if you are considering using CBD for HIV for the first time. Doctors can advise HIV patients whether CBD can benefit them.

Risks and Side Effects of Using CBD for HIV

CBD may carry some risks and induce minor side effects, including⁽⁴⁰⁾: 

• Fatigue 
• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Drowsiness 

However, individuals diagnosed with HIV may experience diarrhea⁽⁴¹⁾. Since one of the side effects of CBD is diarrhea⁽⁴²⁾, make sure to consult your healthcare provider before you take CBD for HIV. 

Another cause for concern is the inaccuracy of labeling of CBD extracts sold online. 

In 2019, about 70% of 240 CBD-infused products commercially available online and in retail stores were reported to be highly contaminated with heavy metals⁽⁴³⁾.  

In addition, the FDA warns against the use of unapproved CBD products with unproven medical claims. The agency stresses that these items could be produced with unsafe manufacturing practices⁽⁴⁴⁾. 

More importantly, since the FDA has not evaluated these products to determine their proper dosage, the unapproved CBD items may interact with other drugs and cause detrimental side effects or other safety concerns⁽⁴⁵⁾. 

Legality of CBD

The United States Congress ratified the 2018 Farm Bill, decriminalizing the commercial use of industrial hemp and products obtained from hemp plants⁽⁴⁶⁾. 

The bill indicates that Cannabis sativa L. and other derivatives of cannabis with no more than 0.3% THC content on a dry weight basis are deemed legal under federal law⁽⁴⁷⁾.

Some states have passed laws allowing the use of recreational and medical cannabis. 

In New York, adults 21 years and older can buy up to three ounces or 85 grams of cannabis flower and 24 grams of concentrated cannabis⁽⁴⁸⁾. Edibles like CBD gummies and other CBD formats like oils, tinctures, and vapes can also be acquired. However, they can only buy cannabis products from a state-licensed dispensary.

You may also check government reports and journals online using a digital object identifier (DOI) to know more about CBD and various state laws. 

Still, remember that even if a specific state law indicates that CBD is legal, the only FDA-approved CBD drug is Epidiolex, used to treat rare and severe forms of epilepsy and seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in patients one year of age and older⁽⁴⁹⁾.