A new study published in the peer reviewed journal Science Advances has found that long-term, low-dose THC supplementation may offer significant health benefits for people living with HIV who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

For the study, researchers from the  Texas Biomedical Research Institute tested the effects of THC in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected, ART-treated rhesus macaques. They found that THC boosted serotonin and indole-3-propionate levels in plasma and the gut, enhancing gut-brain communication through serotonin receptor and aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling. This occurred via a CB2 receptor pathway.

The treatment also enriched cholesterol-metabolizing gut bacteria, reduced cholesterol and harmful secondary bile acids, and improved overall metabolic balance. THC raised β-hydroxybutyrate levels through a CB1 receptor mechanism, indicating increased fatty acid oxidation, which is linked to cardiovascular health. Importantly, THC restored inflammatory and cardiotoxic compounds to pre-infection levels, pointing to reduced long-term risks.

Even with lower plasma ART levels, THC-treated animals maintained viral suppression, hinting at a possible reduction in ART-related toxicity. Researchers concluded that phytocannabinoids could serve as a safe and effective adjunct therapy to mitigate chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in people with HIV.

This work provides evidence that THC may help address some of the lingering health challenges that persist even with successful HIV treatment.

Researchers conclude by saying “Our findings demonstrate phytocannabinoids to be a safe adjunct therapy alongside ART to mitigate chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in PWH.”