HIV can wreak havoc on the brain and cause cognition problems. Neuroinflammation is at the root of many of the cognitive-related symptoms people with HIV face. FIU researchers led by Madhavan Nair found CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects can help keep HIV-infected cells in the brain under control.

Neuroinflammation causes infected cells hiding in the brain to activate, start the replication process, and spread the virus back into the body. The team tested various concentrations of THC and CBD on hundreds of HIV-infected microglia cells. CBD-treated cells reduced the numbers of inflammatory molecules and kept the infected cells from activating.

• Madhavan Nair