Older women with HIV reported using cannabis more often for appetite stimulation and energy enhancement compared to HIV-negative women, though both groups shifted from recreational to therapeutic use over time.
HIV clinicians, geriatric medicine specialists, women's health researchers
Women with HIV cited appetite stimulation and energy enhancement as unique cannabis motivations
What the researchers found
Both groups used cannabis for psychological distress, pain, sleep, and reducing other substance use. Women with HIV additionally reported greater mental health burden and used cannabis for appetite and energy. Across both groups, motivations shifted over time from social to therapeutic purposes. Most felt comfortable telling their doctors about cannabis use.
Why it matters
Older women with HIV face unique health challenges including medication side effects, chronic pain, and appetite loss. Understanding their specific motivations for cannabis use can help clinicians provide more relevant guidance rather than generic advice.
The numbers in context
30 participants (20 with HIV, 10 without); women with HIV reported greater mental health symptom burden; both groups shifted from social to therapeutic motivations over time; most comfortable disclosing cannabis use to providers; participants expressed distrust about legalization and product safety
How the study worked
Qualitative interviews with 30 participants (20 women with HIV, 10 without) enrolled in the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study, analyzed using the Social Ecological Model framework.
What this study cannot tell us
Small qualitative sample (30 women), not generalizable to all older women or all people with HIV, self-selected participants may be more open about cannabis use, single geographic region
How to read the evidence
Small qualitative study with 30 participants from one cohort; provides rich detail but limited generalizability
When this study was published
Published 2025
The bigger picture
As both the HIV-positive population and cannabis-using population age, clinicians will increasingly encounter older women managing chronic conditions with cannabis. This study highlights that their needs and motivations differ from the general population.
Questions still open
- Would a larger quantitative study confirm the HIV-specific motivations for cannabis use? How should clinicians address the expressed distrust about product safety? Could cannabis reduce the need for some HIV-related symptom medications?
Common questions
Why do older women with HIV use cannabis differently?
Do older women tell their doctors about cannabis use?
Read the original research
Beyond the high: exploring socioecological influences on cannabis use in older women with and without HIV.
The Gerontologist, 65(12)
Citation
Bobitt, Julie; Franceschini, Dana; Hernandez-Vallant, Alexandra; Afridi, Masooma; Ross, Ryan D; Daubert, Elizabeth; Cohen, Mardge H; French, Audrey L. (2025). Beyond the high: exploring socioecological influences on cannabis use in older women with and without HIV.. The Gerontologist, 65(12). https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnaf250
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