INVESTIGATORS:  Brook Henry, Ph.D. & Ron Ellis, M.D., Ph.D.

STUDY LOCATION: University of California, San Diego

PROJECT TITLE: Effect of Cannabis and Endocannabinoids on HIV Neuropathic Pain

PROJECT TYPE: Clinical Study

STATUS: Enrollment Ended

ABSTRACT:

HIV-associated neuropathic pain (HIV-NP) affects a significant proportion of people living with HIV (PLWH) and is one of the leading causes of disability in this population. Acute cannabis administration is reported to alleviate HIV-NP, but we have limited knowledge about the effects of cannabis constituents (THC and cannabidiol/CBD), the consequences of long-term cannabis use, and the impact of cannabis on endocannabinoid (EC) function in PLWH. Our objective is to address these three fundamental gaps in our knowledge by: 1) examining the acute effects of various CBD/THC products on HIV-NP, 2) utilizing a mHealth text messaging protocol (Individual Monitoring of Pain and Cannabis Taken or IMPACT) to monitor daily real-world cannabis use and changes in pain; 3) studying the relationship between cannabinoids, EC biomarkers, and chronic neuropathic pain.

This study will address these three fundamental gaps in our knowledge by: 1) examining the acute effects of various CBD/THC products on HIV-NP, 2) utilizing a mHealth text messaging protocol (Individual Monitoring of Pain and Cannabis Taken or IMPACT) to monitor daily real-world cannabis use and changes in pain; 3) studying the relationship between cannabinoids, EC biomarkers, and chronic neuropathic pain.