The effective use of medical marijuana or cannabis for HIV treatment has long been documented. While considered an illegal substance in the past, the medical and wellness community now recognizes that cannabis may help with slowing down the disease’s progression or alleviating some of the symptoms.
To be eligible for medical marijuana treatment at Advanced Pain Medical Center, you should be a resident of Florida and have a qualifying medical condition such as HIV.
Proven Effects of Medical Marijuana on HIV Patients
Nausea and anorexia are two of the most common symptoms experienced by HIV patients who experience negative side effects with their antiretroviral (ART) medication. Unfortunately, if they can’t take the medication, then they often experience health problems with their body deteriorating faster from the viral disease.
A study in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome cites that the use of medical marijuana, when used in conjunction with medication, is significantly more effective for patients with HIV who experience nausea, anorexia, or a host of other symptoms like loss of appetite, sleep problems, fatigue, and depression. There is also evidence showing that cannabis decreases the inflammation of the cells caused by the production of cytokine and build-up of toxins that HIV patients experience.
An ongoing four-year study, which started in 2017, conducted for the National Institute on Drug Abuse, discussed the role of medical marijuana in lowering virus levels found in an HIV patient’s blood. The researchers have yet to determine if it is the THC component or the CBD component of cannabis that works better against the virus.
Cannabis has also helped relieve HIV patients of peripheral neuropathy, also known as the “pins and needles” sensation, which can develop due to problems with their nerve cells. For many HIV patients, this discomfort can be so bad that even sleeping on soft cushions can be unbearable.
Do I qualify for medical marijuana in Florida?
Please note that medical marijuana is only available for FLORIDA RESIDENTS.
A PATIENT MUST BE DIAGNOSED WITH QUALIFYING MEDICAL CONDITION.
The following diagnosed health conditions qualify for medical marijuana certification in Florida:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Positive status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Crohn’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those above
- Terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the physician certification.
- Chronic, nonmalignant (non-cancer) pain
Learn more about medical marijuana in Gainesville
Advanced Pain Medical Center offers various forms of pain management in Gainesville. These include a rapidly advancing medical specialty that uses a multi-disciplinary strategy for treating all types of pain and improving a patient’s quality of life. At Advanced Pain Medical Center, we offer high-quality services such as innovative medical marijuana solutions, pain management, and regenerative medicine.
If you have any other questions, please Contact Us with your queries.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
