CBD and THC Capsules Alter Endocannabinoid Markers in People Living with HIV
A 12-week pilot trial in people with HIV found that oral cannabinoids reduced specific endocannabinoid-related lipid mediators but did not significantly change gut bacterial composition.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabinoid capsule administration significantly decreased plasma levels of two monoacylglycerols (2-EPG and 2-OG), part of the expanded endocannabinoid system, but did not alter fecal bacterial taxa after 12 weeks of treatment in people with HIV on antiretroviral therapy.
Key Numbers
n=10 (5 per arm); 12-week treatment; significant decrease in 2-EPG and 2-OG; different baseline bacterial taxa between arms; Coprobacillus and Lachnospiraceae UCG001 lower in THC/CBD vs CBD-only arm
How They Did This
Prospective pilot clinical trial randomizing 10 people with HIV on ART to CBD+THC (n=5) or CBD-only (n=5) capsules for 12 weeks, with plasma eCBome mediators measured by LC-MS-MS and fecal microbiota assessed by 16S rDNA sequencing.
Why This Research Matters
People with HIV experience chronic inflammation driving comorbidities, and this study provides early mechanistic evidence that cannabinoids may modulate the endocannabinoid system in this population.
The Bigger Picture
Understanding how cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system and gut microbiome in immunocompromised populations could open new avenues for managing HIV-related chronic inflammation.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample size (n=10); no placebo control arm; different baseline microbiota between groups; short duration; dose titration means variable cannabinoid exposure; pilot study not powered for definitive conclusions.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do the reductions in 2-EPG and 2-OG translate to clinical anti-inflammatory benefits?
- ?Would longer treatment or larger doses affect gut microbiota?
- ?How do these changes compare in HIV-negative individuals?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Pilot clinical trial with objective biomarker outcomes, but very small sample size (n=10) and lack of placebo control limit interpretability.
- Study Age:
- Published 2026; registered as CTN PT028.
- Original Title:
- Impact of Oral Cannabinoids on the Endocannabinoidome and Gut Microbiome in People with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy (CTN PT028 Pilot Clinical Trial).
- Published In:
- Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 25785125251366052 (2026)
- Authors:
- Giorgini, Giada, Silvestri, Cristoforo(2), Mboumba Bouassa, Ralph-Sydney(3), Muller, Chante, Frias Boligan, Kayluz, Kalkan, Hilal, Routy, Jean-Pierre, Flamand, Nicolas, Di Marzo, Vincenzo, Jenabian, Mohammad-Ali, Costiniuk, Cecilia T
- Database ID:
- RTHC-08281
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis help with HIV-related inflammation?
This pilot study found that CBD and THC capsules altered endocannabinoid system markers linked to inflammation in people with HIV, but the sample was too small (n=10) to draw clinical conclusions.
Does cannabis change the gut microbiome in people with HIV?
This 12-week pilot found no significant changes in gut bacterial composition from cannabinoid treatment, though some differences were noted between the CBD+THC and CBD-only groups.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-08281APA
Giorgini, Giada; Silvestri, Cristoforo; Mboumba Bouassa, Ralph-Sydney; Muller, Chante; Frias Boligan, Kayluz; Kalkan, Hilal; Routy, Jean-Pierre; Flamand, Nicolas; Di Marzo, Vincenzo; Jenabian, Mohammad-Ali; Costiniuk, Cecilia T. (2026). Impact of Oral Cannabinoids on the Endocannabinoidome and Gut Microbiome in People with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy (CTN PT028 Pilot Clinical Trial).. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 25785125251366052. https://doi.org/10.1177/25785125251366052
MLA
Giorgini, Giada, et al. "Impact of Oral Cannabinoids on the Endocannabinoidome and Gut Microbiome in People with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy (CTN PT028 Pilot Clinical Trial).." Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1177/25785125251366052
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Impact of Oral Cannabinoids on the Endocannabinoidome and Gu..." RTHC-08281. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/giorgini-2026-impact-of-oral-cannabinoids
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.