Cannabis linked to higher levels of physical activity in HIV+ patients – study

New research shows that HIV+ patients who consume cannabis are more likely to be physically active, which could help improve other symptoms such as pain and depression.

Cannabis use was associated with heightened levels of physical activity in HIV positive patients, according to data published in the journal AIDS Care.

A team of researchers from Brown University in Rhode Island and Boston University’s School of Public Health assessed the relationship between self-reported substance use and exercise engagement in a cohort of HIV+ patients. 

As they outline in the paper’s abstract, chronic pain, depression, and substance use are common among people living with HIV. Exercise can help improve these symptoms – and cannabis may enable patients to be more active.

What the study showed

The researchers completed a cross-sectional analysis among 187 adults living with HIV, chronic pain, and depressive symptoms in the United States.

They examined the relationships of self-reported alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine use, gender and age with self-reports of walking, moderate physical activity, and vigorous physical activity, converted to Metabolic Equivalent of Task Units (METs).

The findings showed that those who reported consuming cannabis were significantly more likely to be physically active than those patients who did not.

According to the researchers, the estimated mean rate of vigorous METs [Metabolic Equivalent of Task Units] was over six times higher for people who used cannabis than non-users.

They wrote: “Individuals who used cannabis reported more vigorous physical activity relative to those who did not use cannabis.”

It has been theorised that cannabis’ ability to mitigate symptoms associated with HIV, such as pain, may facilitate greater engagement in physical activity.

According to NORML, this is consistent with previous studies reporting a positive association between cannabis use and exercise, particularly among seniors.

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