Research Studies

We are currently recruiting participants for a study on how cannabis affects thinking and behavior in people with and without HIV. If you are interested in learning more please access the link above or call our laboratory at 619-543-6575 for more information.

People with HIV (PWH) often use cannabis both medicinally and recreationally. Cannabis is sometimes recommended to those with HIV to alleviate nausea, improve appetite, relieve pain, and lift mood. To date, the consequences of cannabis use in PWH remain unclear as do potential interactions with HIV treatments. Furthermore, little has been done to determine the effects of cannabis use on the brain’s endocannabinoid (EC) system in general or in PWH. This study will determine the effects of the two primary cannabis constituents (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC], cannabidiol [CBD]) vs. placebo on risky decision-making, response inhibition, reward learning, temporal perception, and motivation, plus EC and homovanillic acid (HVA; a surrogate for dopamine activity) levels in HIV+ and HIV- participants. Participants with occasional cannabis use will undergo baseline cognitive testing and a lumbar puncture (otherwise known as a spinal tap) with antiretrovirals (ART) use quantified. They will be randomized to a 5-day course of either THC, CBD, or placebo and return for follow-up testing and lumbar puncture.

Our lab partners with the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC), which conducts research to understand how diseases like HIV, Hepatitis C infection (HCV), methamphetamine dependence, mental health diagnoses, and normal aging affect the brain, nervous system, and people's everyday lives.

You can contact the HNRC at 619-543-5000 for more information on recruiting research studies.