Recently, three letters have dominated the news and media. Those letters are CBD, which stands cannabinol. CBD is debated to be the wonder drug of our generation or the snake oil of our generation.
Whichever side you’re on, it seems CBD is here to stay. CBD has been reported by many to help alleviate symptoms from a long list of conditions. People have said CBD helps with symptoms from general physical pain, insomnia, stress & anxiety, cancer, and HIV.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, known as HIV, has become a more manageable condition than it was in the past. With medical advancements, HIV is not as life-threatening as it once was. One way to help make HIV more manageable might be through CBD. With CBD’s medicinal characteristics, some people are using CBD to help combat regular symptoms.
HIV in more depth
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “HIV weakens a person’s immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection. No effective cure exists for HIV. But with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. Some groups of people in the United States are more likely to get HIV than others because of many factors, including their sex partners, their risk behaviors, and where they live. This section will give you basic information about HIV, such as how it’s transmitted, how you can prevent it, and how to get tested for HIV.”
Here are four ways CBD can help alleviate symptoms associated with HIV:
#4 Pain relief
People who suffer from HIV claim feeling pain in their nerves, joints, and muscles. One of the main benefits of CBD is the pain relief experienced by users. There are also some studies that help validate CBD as a potential pain reliever.
#3 Reduce Anxiety
Anxiety is something that many people without HIV suffer from on a regular basis. People who have been diagnosed, or know about their disease, sometimes suffer from anxiety and depression.
One of the reasons CBD has been popular is because of it’s natural approach compared to pharmaceutical medications. CBD has also been said to help manage and reduce anxiety. There are also some studies that help back this up.
#2 Increase Appetite
Those who suffer from HIV can experience reductions in their appetites. Loss of appetite with HIV can be due to causes like HIV medications and even other diseases like liver disease.
CBD has been said to help boost an HIV victim’s appetite. Cannabinol doesn’t work like Tetrahydrocannabinol in the sense of giving a person the “munchies,” a term used for excessive hunger or eating while intoxicated on forms cannabis containing substantial amounts of THC.
#1 Reduce Nausea
A lot of medications that are available for relieving the symptoms associated with HIV also cause nausea. Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) are the drugs given in the early stages of HIV to stop the virus from spreading. NRTIs are helpful for HIV but is reported to cause nausea.
With reports of CBD helping alleviate nausea, it could be a useful addition for those who are suffering or know someone who is.