Limited impact of cannabidiol on health-related quality of life of people with long-term controlled HIV: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

People living with HIV (PWH) with undetectable HIV viral load still have an impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabis-derived cannabinoid that holds promise for the treatment of many ailments. In the present study, we tested whether oral CBD-rich medication could significantly improve PWH’s HRQoL.

Eighty participants with undetectable HIV viral load were randomized to either a placebo or full-spectrum CBD (1 mg/kg twice a day) arm for 12 weeks plus a 4-week follow-up period. HRQoL was assessed at baseline, week 12 and week 16 using the SF-36 questionnaire. Primary outcomes were physical and mental component summary scores; secondary outcomes were the eight SF-36 subscale scores. Treatment effects on outcomes were estimated using generalized estimating equations.

We found no effect of CBD intake on the summary score for either component. However, CBD intake was associated with a higher physical functioning score at W12 only (regression coefficient [95% confidence interval] 7.72 [0.55 ; 14.89], p=0.035). No significant main effect of CBD intake on the other HRQoL subscale scores was observed. Furthermore, there was no difference in self-reported adverse effects between the two arms.

Twice daily CBD full-spectrum oil at 1 mg/kg had no major effect on virologically suppressed PWH’s HRQoL, but had a positive effect on physical functioning. Further randomized controlled trials including PWH with lower baseline HRQoL are needed to confirm this finding.