_1752556019 20250715050659000 Editor editor.jddt@gmail.com Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Univ J Pharm Res 2456-8058 2831-5235 07 15 2025 Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu Rihab Aref Alsadi HIV infection has long been recognized for its profound effects on the immune system, but growing evidence highlights its significant impact on mental health as well. Individuals living with HIV are disproportionately affected by psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). These mental health challenges not only arise from the psychosocial burden of chronic illness and stigma but are also rooted in the biological interactions between HIV and the central nervous system (CNS). The virus infiltrates the CNS early in infection, triggering a cascade of neuroinflammatory processes that contribute to neuronal damage and neurotransmitter dysregulation. Chronic immune activation, marked by elevated cytokines and systemic inflammation, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of mental health disorders in HIV-positive individuals. Conversely, psychological distress can impair immune function, reduce CD4+ T-cell counts, and undermine adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), thereby accelerating disease progression and compromising overall health outcomes.                     Peer Review History: Received 8 April 2025;   Reviewed 13 May 2025; Accepted 24 June; Available online 15 July 2025 Academic Editor: Dr. Jennifer Audu-Peter, University of Jos, Nigeria, drambia44@gmail.com Reviewers: Dr. Francis Adou Yapo, Felix Houphouet Boigny, University of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, fyapo@yahoo.fr Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, sansan4240732@163.com 07 15 2025 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 10.22270/ujpr.v10i3.1358 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/view/1358 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/download/1358/1900 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/download/1358/1900 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/download/1358/1910 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/download/1358/1931