Complete Guide To Accessing Prescription Medical Cannabis In The UK - Including Prices & List Of Clinics

UK Medical Cannabis For Chronic Pain

It has been demonstrated that medical cannabis can help persons with chronic pain disorders control their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

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Painkillers may be prescribed to patients, but they may discover that they are unsuccessful at relieving their suffering.

These medications have potentially severe negative effects and can be highly potent painkillers. Patients sometimes turn to alternative options when even these are unable to help them control their discomfort.

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For instance, phytocannabinoids, a class of lipophilic chemicals that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, can be used to control pain in medicinal cannabis (ECS). The body's central nervous system and peripheral nervous system communicate with one another through the endocannabinoid system. Thus, phytocannabinoids have extraordinary medicinal potential.

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Medical Cannabis: Effects on O-pioid and B- Requirements for Pain Control, a 2019 study from the United States, provides one illustration of this in action. The authors, M. O'Connell, M. Sandgren, L. Frantzen, E. Bower, and B. Erickson, discovered evidence demonstrating that patients with chronic pain exhibited a significant reduction in pain symptoms when treated with medical cannabis.

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Additionally, opioids are frequently used as a treatment for chronic pain. Experts have already suggested medical cannabis as an opioid substitute that lowers the risk of dependency development and other undesirable side effects. Cannabis can contribute to higher overall pain alleviation, according to Philippe Lucas' study titled "Cannabis as an adjuvant to or substitute for opiates in the treatment of chronic pain." As a result, opiates are used less frequently, which lessens the impact of their related negative effects.

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The crippling symptom of pain might be related to a wide range of intricate diseases, causes, or other symptoms. Over eight million people in the UK report having chronic pain, making living with certain pain disorders a common reality for many.

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Medical cannabis may provide treatment for people with chronic pain issues. In addition to making many people uncomfortable, pain can make it difficult for them to carry out a number of daily duties that others might find straightforward. Treatment with medical cannabis helps these people manage and reduce pain symptoms and significantly enhances their quality of life.

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Conditions Eligible For Medical Prescription Cannabis (UK)

There are certain conditions that make chronic pain a part of everyday life, to a point where it becomes hard to manage. Some of these pain conditions include:

• Arthritis

• Back Pain and Sciatica

• Cancer-Related Pain

• Chronic Pain

• Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome

• Ehlers Danlos Syndromes

• Endometriosis

• Fibromyalgia

• Migraines

• Musculoskeletal Pain

• Neuropathic Pain

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Symptoms Eligible For Prescription Medical Cannabis (UK)

Depending on the specific type of pain condition, a person may suffer from:

• Reduction in quality of life

• Low mood

• Sleep disruption, fatigue and insomnia

• Loss of appetite

• Stress and anxiety

• Tremors or spasticity

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These symptoms can come and go in periods known as relapses and flare-ups. Flare-ups are when symptoms are particularly severe, whereas relapses are when symptoms might become more faint or even disappear altogether temporarily.

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Treatments Eligibility For UK Medical Prescription Cannabis

Treatment for pain will largely depend on the root cause of the pain or the underlying condition it’s related to. The most effective treatment plans often include combinations of the following treatment options:

• Over-the-counter medication, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen

• Prescription medications are often used to manage pain. However, for many people, a combination of treatments is most effective.

• Physical therapy

• Exercise

• Acupuncture

• Relaxation techniques

• Psychological counselling

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UK Prescription Cannabis For Neurological Disorders

When traditional treatment methods fail to provide adequate relief, medical cannabis has been proven to improve quality of life for people living with neurological conditions. 

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For example, this study from 2017, ‘Neurological Aspects of Medical Use of Cannabidiol’, tested the effects of medical cannabis on a variety of neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease. The researchers, Carmen Mannucci, Michele Navarra, Fabrizio Calapai, Elvira V Spagnolo, Francesco P Busardò, Roberto D Cas, Francesca M Ippolito, and Gioacchino Calapai, found that medical cannabis produced “beneficial effects” in a range of the neurological conditions in question.

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Medical cannabis works directly with the central and peripheral nervous systems by interacting directly with the body’s endocannabinoid system to regulate pain and provide relief from a number of symptoms. Severe epilepsy – especially in children –  is just one example. Certain childhood syndromes such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which typically don’t respond to antiseizure medications, can also be treated with medicinal cannabis.

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Further conditions treatable with medicinal cannabis include neuropathic pain, seizures, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and migraines.

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UK Medical Prescription Cannabis For Psychiatric Disorders Including Anxiety And Depression

Roughly one in four people in the UK experience some kind of mental health issue every year. Psychiatric conditions are more common than we think and people suffering from them deserve to get the treatment and support they need to live their lives healthily and happily.

When traditional methods of treatment fail to provide results, many people seek alternative methods. PTSD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia have all been shown to benefit from medical cannabis treatments.

One key benefit is that medical cannabis can help to calm nerves and promote relaxation for some patients. For many, medical cannabis has dramatically improved the quality of life for those suffering from insomnia and PTSD in this way. Several positive links between PTSD and insomnia and medical cannabis.

For example, the study ‘Effects of Marijuana on Mental Health: Depression’ from Susan A. Stoner in 2017 showed that both “THC and CBD appear to have antidepressant-like effects in animal models at certain doses”.

While that study focused on depression, studies have shown that cannabinoids can provide relief from a variety of symptoms of psychiatric disorders by working with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays an integral part in processing emotions such as fear, anxiety and stress.

Research has also shown that both THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD have proven to significantly reduce symptoms in those suffering from generalised anxiety disorders, social anxiety stress disorders and OCD.

Cannabidiol not only increases feelings of calmness and wellbeing; it also changes the way your brain responds to anxiety. Meanwhile, activation of the cannabis receptors CB1 and CB2 can help promote happiness, pleasure, and memory.

 

Conditions For UK Medical Cannabis

There are a wide variety of different psychiatric conditions, each with their own symptoms, forms of treatment, and unique challenges. Some of the most common ones include:

• Agoraphobia

• Anxiety

• Appetite Disorders

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Autistic Spectrum Disorder

• Depression

• Insomnia

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Stress Disorders

• Tourette’s Syndrome

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Symptoms For UK Medical Cannabis

While many of these conditions have their own unique symptoms, there are also some shared ones that you can look out for. Depending on the condition, you may suffer from:

• Stress

• Consistent low mood

• Intrusive thoughts

• Changes in sleep, appetite, and energy levels

• Traumatic flashbacks

• Poor concentration

• Finding it hard to make decisions

• Feeling less interested in day-to-day activities

• Feeling overwhelmed by things

• Tearfulness

• Talking less and avoiding social activities

• Finding it difficult to control your emotions

• Substance or alcohol misuse

• Irritability and short temper

• Aggression

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Symptoms can vary in severity and regularity from person to person. An individual may experience periods where symptoms are less intense, before relapsing back into heavier periods.

Certain situations or emotions may also trigger symptoms, such as reminders of past trauma, difficult emotions, stress, or relationship breakdowns.

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Medical Cannabis UK For Gastrointestinal Issues

Gastroenterological conditions refer to any illnesses or issues affecting the digestive system, including but not limited to the oesophagus, the stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine (also called the colon), the rectum and the anus. 

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Such conditions are more common than you might think. For example, one in every 200 people in the UK have some form of inflammatory bowel disease, and that is just one sub-section of gastroenterological conditions. They can have a wide variety of ongoing symptoms that affect the person’s quality of life each and every day.

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Conditions

There are many different types of gastroenterological conditions, each with their own unique symptoms and treatment options. They include:

• Crohn’s disease

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

• Colitis

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

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Symptoms

Because gastroenterology refers to a range of different conditions, symptoms will likely vary from person to person and depending on the specific condition. However, there are some common symptoms to look out for. Patients may suffer from:

• Bloating and gas

• Recurrent constipation or diarrhea

• Digestive issues

• Experiencing difficulty swallowing

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Sudden shifts in bowel movements

A person may experience all or none of these symptoms. For some conditions, symptoms can also be triggered by certain foods or by changes in dietary habits.

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Medical Cannabis UK For Oncological Issues

While research is still ongoing regarding medical cannabis use for the direct treatment of cancer, we should not forget that medical cannabis may have a positive effect on the overall wellbeing of patients with oncological conditions and symptoms. 

Medical cannabis can potentially improve the quality of life of patients in a number of ways, for instance through improving sleep and appetite, reducing pain, reducing muscle spasms, and lessening anxiety.

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Medical cannabis may also help to control the side effects and pain-related symptoms associated with cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy.  

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In cases where traditional medicine hasn’t worked, or the side effects of conventional treatment are getting difficult to manage, medical cannabis can provide an alternative form of relief. This study, ‘The use of medical cannabis in cancer patients’, from 2017 showed that use of medical cannabis showed improvements in pain and overall quality of life, as well as a variety of other symptoms in cancer patients.

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For a disease where even the treatment can be painful and difficult to manage, finding ways to manage pain and other symptoms is vital. That’s where medical cannabis can be of use.

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Cancer is an incredibly common condition, with one in two people developing some form of cancer during their lifetime. Cancer is obviously highly debilitating in it’s own right, and treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy come with their own exhausting side effects. This means that finding treatment options that help to improve the quality of life of patients is vital.

What’s more, oncological experts state that patients are more likely to beat cancer if they feel happy and comfortable. Managing symptoms like pain and nausea are integral to doing just that.

 

Conditions

There are some common oncological conditions that many people living with cancer experience, either as a result of the cancer itself or the related treatment. They include:

• Cancer-Related Pain

• Cancer-Related Appetite Loss

• Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Many of these come about as a direct result of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the two most common forms of cancer treatment. Both are very aggressive, in order to attack the cancerous cells in the body, but that means they are also aggressive towards the healthy cells, causing these unpleasant oncological conditions.

 

Symptoms

Many of the symptoms experienced will come alongside the typical symptoms of cancer, making them doubly difficult to manage in many cases. Depending on the condition, a person may suffer from:

• Fatigue

• Pain

• Sudden loss of appetite or weight

• Fever

• Nausea

• Stress, depression, and anxiety

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Medical Cannabis UK For Paediatric Care

The aim of paediatric care is to treat and manage the symptoms of acutely ill young people and children suffering with a number of complex conditions. It is divided into four key categories:

• General paediatrics: a hospital role covering children from birth to the age of 16 

• Neonatology: specialising in looking after newborn babies, usually based in an intensive care unit looking after premature babies or those with problems at birth

• Community paediatrics: based in the community to look after children with developmental, social, or behavioural problems and those with a physical disability

• Paediatric cardiology: a small area specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of children with heart conditions

When it comes to our children, having the best possible care is every parent and caregiver’s number one priority. When traditional methods don’t offer adequate support or improvement, medical cannabis can be a safe and effective option, even for children.

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Conditions

There are a number of conditions that affect children in unique ways and therefore need to be treated with these particular challenges in mind. They include:

• Rare and chronic epileptic disorders

• Behavioural issues

• Anxiety and depression disorders

• Chronic pain

• Gastroenterological conditions

• Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

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Children can of course contract many of the same illnesses and conditions that adults do too, but it’s important to notice the distinction for these conditions, where they can either only affect children or affect children in a different way than they do adults. This is especially important for epilepsy, where there are specific epileptic conditions that only affect children.

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Symptoms

The exact symptoms experienced by the child will naturally depend on what condition they have been diagnosed with. Depending on the condition, they may suffer from:

• Seizures

• Developmental issues

• Stress and anxiety

• Speech or memory loss

• Chronic pain

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UK Medical Prescription Cannabis UK For Palliative (End Of Life / Terminal) Care

Palliative care, also often known as end-of-life care, refers to supportive treatment and care given to patients with terminal illnesses or who are close to passing. The aim of palliative care is to help patients have a good quality of life, as well as helping them to be as active as possible in the time they have left.

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Complex and overlapping symptoms are often experienced by patients suffering terminal and end-of-life illnesses. With patient comfort and happiness at the forefront of our treatment, medical cannabis can offer effective treatment.

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Conditions

There are a range of different conditions that can require palliative care at all ages. This will most often be given in a hospice or hospital, with some treatments able to allow patients to return to their own homes for care.

Some common conditions that may need palliative care include:

• Terminal cancers

• Kidney failure

• Parkinson’s

• Alzheimer’s

• Congestive Heart Failure

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Leukemia and Lymphoma

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This is not an exhaustive list, but palliative care will always be discussed transparently between medical staff, the patient, and next of kin.

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Symptoms

As there is a wide variety of conditions associated with palliative care, that also means there is a wide range of symptoms. However, there are some shared symptoms that can mean palliative care is necessary. Depending on the condition, patients may suffer from:

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• Loss of quality of life

• Anxiety and depression

• Loss of appetite

• Weakness

• Chronic pain

• Loss of mobility

• Cognitive difficulties

• Memory loss

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Symptoms will vary from person to person, as well the length of time for which palliative care is needed. Medical professionals who are familiar with individual patient history can offer more precise guidance on timelines and what kind of symptoms to expect.

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Medical Prescription Cannabis UK For Dermatological (Skin) Issues.

Dermatology is a branch of medicine that deals with conditions relating to the skin. There are a variety of different fields within this brand, including cosmetic dermatology, paediatric dermatology, and the treatment of skin cancer.

Dermatology includes both skin complaints caused by a medical condition and procedures to improve the aesthetic appearance of the skin. These are classified as ‘medical need/emergency’ and ‘elective’ (lifestyle choice). Sometimes there can be overlaps between the two. Both forms of conditions and treatment are equally valid.

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Depending on the specialism, there are dozens of dermatological conditions that may need treatment. They each come with their own range of symptoms and can affect the sufferer’s quality of life from a mild to a severe degree.

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Some common conditions include:

• Burns

• Acne

• Athletes Foot

• Birthmarks

• Blackheads

• Skin cancer

• Lupus

• Dermatitis

• Eczema

• Herpes

• Psoriasis

• Thrush

• Varicose veins

• Warts

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This list is not exhaustive, but gives a sense of the diversity and range of potential dermatological conditions.

Symptoms

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Symptoms of dermatological conditions will vary depending on the condition itself. In general, symptoms to look out for include:

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• Dry or itchy skin

• Painful areas to touch

• Unusual moles or spots that weren’t there before

• Unusual or painful rashes

• Ongoing spots or pimples that are painful or affect your quality of life

• Pus or mucus oozing from the skin

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Medical Cannabis UK ForComplex Issues - Seizures, Spasticity, Chronic Pain, PTSD.

Complex care, also known as long-term care or continuing care, is a form of support given to patients with significant, continuing healthcare issues. This might include certain chronic illnesses or perhaps disabilities that can arise after receiving hospital treatment.

This form of specialist care is often required to help those with chronic conditions achieve a better quality of life where they can be more independent, active and feel more in control of their illness.

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Complex care can be offered to patients and individuals with a range of different conditions. Some of the most common reasons for needing it include:

• Chronic pain

• Anxiety, stress or depression

• Seizures

• Spasticity

• PTSD

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Essentially, any condition, illness, or disability where the person needs extra medical, physical, or mental support on a long-term basis can qualify someone to receive complex care.

Symptoms

Because of the range of different conditions that might require complex care, there is also a wealth of symptoms to be aware of. Depending on the condition, a person may suffer from:

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• Sleep disorders

• Loss of appetite

• Weakness

• Chronic pain

• Mobility issues

• Cognitive difficulties

• Dementia

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This article was reviewed for accuracy by experts from the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society.

It is intended for educational purposes only, always consult your doctor before making any changes to your medical care. 

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