When should you consider medical cannabis?

Thousands of patients in the UK are now benefiting from cannabis-based medicines, but how do you know if it’s for you? Cannabis Health explores when it might be the right time to consider another option.

As research into the effects of medical cannabis continues to grow, so does the number of patients obtaining legal prescription.

But when is it time to leave conventional treatments behind – or at least reduce them – in favour of cannabis? 

One of the most common reasons people begin taking medical cannabis is to ease symptoms of chronic pain – so if you’re suffering from a condition such as fibromyalgia, MS or arthritis and conventional therapies and medication no longer offer any relief, it could be time to give the alternative remedy a try.

While research is still ongoing, studies so far have backed up the benefits for turning to medical cannabis when regular treatments no longer work.  

A 2019 study studied the analgesic effects of medical cannabis on patients suffering from fibromyalgia – one of the most common chronic pain conditions in the UK. Participants were given three different varieties of medical cannabis with differing levels of  THC and CBD as well as one placebo variety. 

The study found that patients given a cannabis variety were more likely to experience at least a 30 percent decrease in pain scores when compared to the placebo, with pressure pain thresholds also found to be increased in some patients. 

It’s estimated that 14 million people in the UK live with some form of chronic pain, and with most of these conditions having no cure, it’s all about pain management.

Medical cannabis has been shown to alleviate symptoms in many of these conditions, which is why an increasing number of people living with these illnesses are beginning to consider it.

Alongside reducing pain, cannabis can also help patients manage other elements of their condition – including muscle and bladder control in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

In a systematic review in 2014, researchers found strong evidence to support the use of marijuana-based treatments for MS-related muscle problems. 

Meanwhile, scientists investigating the use of oral extract for bladder dysfunction in a 2012 trial found that results indicated medical cannabis might improve the symptoms of bladder problems in people with MS.

Alongside other symptoms, it’s not uncommon for chronic pain and lack of sleep to go hand in hand. Whether your symptoms are keeping you up at night or suffering from insomnia, medicating can be an effective way to help you get plenty of rest, which in turn will help manage symptoms the next day.

While more research is needed into the area, early indications look promising, with medical cannabis physician Dr Matt Roman explaining that: “Marijuana is an effective sleep aid because it restores a person’s natural sleep cycle, which so often falls out of sync with our schedules.”

It is thought that the remedy’s anti-anxiety properties can soothe a stressed mind and body, making it easier to relax and drift off into a peaceful state.

If you are considering medical cannabis, it’s important to consult your doctor or healthcare professional beforehand. Dosage guidelines and effects on other medications can vary from person to person, so the general advice when first trying the remedy is to go ‘low and slow’, building up doses when the risk of side effects has been eliminated.