However, it's important to note that the relationship between marijuana and depression is complex. Some research has suggested that regular and heavy marijuana smokers are at a higher risk for depression, although a causal link between cannabis use and depression has not been established.
For many people with HIV, the use of ART has increased their CD4+ cell counts and decreased the amount of HIV in their blood (viral load). These beneficial effects help to reduce the risk of developing a life-threatening infection. Neither AZT nor any other anti-HIV medication is a cure for HIV.
The catch is that, at very high doses, AZT limits the polymerase needed by healthy human cells for cellular division. The drug has a 100-to-1 affinity for HIV over human cellsâHIV have less of an innate ability to repair damaged DNAâbut the danger is real. AZT could offer about a year of prolonged life in those early days.