Substance abuse disorders affect people with HIV — Study

Using marijuana when you have HIV could lead to problems of brain function, if you also abuse alcohol or drugs, a new study finds.

"People with HIV infection have many reasons to have cognitive dysfunction, from the virus itself to medications for HIV infection and related conditions, particularly as they age," said lead researcher, Richard Saitz. He's a professor and chair of community health sciences at Boston University School of Public Health.

"They also have symptoms like chronic pain and mental health symptoms, and use of marijuana, medically or recreationally, may seem like an option to consider," Saitz said in a university news release. "But at least among people with substance use disorders, it appears to have detrimental effects on cognitive function."

Combined effects

A little research has been done on the combined effects that alcohol and marijuana have on the brain function of people living with HIV, according to the researchers.