Appetite stimulation: HIV patients tend to lose a significant amount of their body weight because of the loss of appetite. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in the plant, is famous for its hunger-inducing properties and is widely used by many people to promote weight gain for healing, such as those who are in treatment for cancer. In addition, a 2005 survey of 253 HIV-positive patients revealed that 27% of respondents were using cannabis to treat those conditions, while 97% of them said that it was beneficial in improving their appetite.