As all recreational users are aware, cannabis stimulates the appetite; i.e., it gives you the munchies. This affect can be used to the advantage of AIDS patients suffering from wasting syndrome by helping to stabilize their weight.
Maintaining strength through a healthy diet can prevent otherwise common organisms from gaining a foothold. This can be one of the keys to prolonging life.
Antiviral drugs such as AZT are used to attack human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However AZT suppresses the production of red blood cells, decreases the number of white blood cells, and has negative effects on the digestive system. It can also causes nausea which heightens the danger for patients who may already be dangerously underweight. An increased appetite from cannabis use and the natural anti-nausea effects can both help in maintaining health.
The synthetic THC drug, Dronabinol, has also proved useful to HIV patients. In 1991, it is reported that in addition to relieving nausea, it caused significant weight gain in 70% of patients.
