Despite concerns about compounding cognitive effects, regular cannabis use was not associated with worse prospective memory in people with HIV, and those using for both medical and recreational reasons trended toward better performance.
People living with HIV who use cannabis, HIV clinicians, and cognitive neuroscientists studying substance use in chronic illness
What the researchers found
Cannabis use (including regular use) was not significantly associated with prospective memory (MIST) scores in 307 people with HIV after adjusting for confounders; combined recreational-therapeutic motivation showed a nonsignificant trend toward better performance (β=0.28, p=0.067).
Why it matters
People with HIV already face memory challenges, and many use cannabis — this reassuring finding suggests cannabis doesn't compound HIV-related cognitive problems, at least for prospective memory.
The numbers in context
307 PWH; 79% regular cannabis users; no significant association β=-0.04 (95% CI: -0.29 to 0.21, p=0.74); combined motivation trend β=0.28 (95% CI: -0.02 to 0.57, p=0.067).
How the study worked
Cross-sectional study of 307 people with HIV (79% regular cannabis users) completing the Memory for Intentions Test, with analysis of use status, THC dose, frequency, duration, age of first use, and motivation.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design; predominantly regular users (79%) limits comparator group; MIST captures prospective memory only; unmeasured confounders possible; self-reported THC dose is imprecise.
How to read the evidence
Adequately powered cross-sectional study with appropriate confounding adjustment, but limited by single cognitive measure and predominantly regular-user sample.
When this study was published
Published in 2026, addressing a common concern among the large population of people with HIV who use cannabis.
The bigger picture
This adds to evidence that cannabis's cognitive effects may be context-dependent — in populations already managing chronic illness, the picture is more nuanced than 'cannabis impairs memory.'
Questions still open
- Does the trend toward better performance in dual-motivation users reflect self-medication benefits? Would longitudinal data show cumulative effects not captured cross-sectionally?
Common questions
Does cannabis worsen memory in people with HIV?
Does it matter why you use cannabis?
Read the original research
Evaluating Cross-Sectional Associations Between Cannabis Use and Prospective Memory in People with HIV.
AIDS and behavior, 30(1), 107-117
Citation
Britton, Mark K; Haddad, Elie; Li, Yancheng; Porges, Eric C; Chichetto, Natalie E; Somboonwit, Charurut; Ibañez, Gladys E; Cohen, Ronald A; Cook, Robert L. (2026). Evaluating Cross-Sectional Associations Between Cannabis Use and Prospective Memory in People with HIV.. AIDS and behavior, 30(1), 107-117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-025-04851-3
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