Are there studies where marijuana is used to treat HIV?? I have a friend thats positive and since they have been smoking marijuana there viral load has decreased right now the viral load is less then 80 and there not on any meds.

Thanks alot

Hello Stoner,

Mary Jane as an HIV therapy? Gosh, wouldn't that be loverly?!? But alas, I'm afraid it's just a Fig Newton of your stoned-out imagination combined with a healthy dose of wishful thinking. That said, I certainly admit to being a strong proponent of medical marijuana. But we need to clarify exactly what marijuana can and can't do. Sparking a doobie can be helpful for some aspects of HIV/AIDS complications, including stimulating appetite, decreasing nausea and possibly even mitigating discomfort/pain; however, there is no evidence that it decreases HIV's ability to replicate, decreases HIV plasma viral load or increases CD4 counts. To make such claims would be, in my opinion, "one toke over the line, Sweet Jesus."

Now stop Bogarting that joint.

Dr. Bob