Why cannabis has been life-changing for my anxiety and chronic pain

David Johnston, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 49, says a new discreet cannabis vaping device has helped his anxiety and chronic pain.

Fifty four-year-old David Johnston has a condition called Ehlers danlos syndrome (EDS), a disorder which affects the connective tissues that provide support in skin, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, internal organs and bones.The condition causes hypermobility, meaning the collagen in the body doesn’t work as well as it should, leaving the joints bendy and prone to injury.

The condition can be serious, affecting various aspects of the body, including the heart and the digestive system, but for David he struggles most with the pain.

“For some people EDS can be a far more serious condition, but with me it is mostly the hypermobility. As a result of that, I do have a lot of pain and frequent joint injuries,” he says.

David Johnston

“I’ve been on all sorts of painkillers over the years, a lot of opiates and various other medications to help me manage my conditions and pain. Some have helped and some haven’t.”

As is not uncommon in those with chronic health conditions, David lives with mental health issues, alongside his physical symptoms, including anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). But in his 40s, he was also diagnosed with autism.

“I’ve definitely struggled with thinking differently all of my life, and with sensory sensitivity – I knew I was different and always felt that it was my fault, that I was wrong or foolish,” says the former research fellow at Strathclyde University in prosthetics and orthotics.

“I’d asked a couple of times if the diagnosis was possible, as most of my nephews and nieces were in the spectrum, my father had his quirks too and as a family we wondered if he would have been diagnosed if there was greater awareness in his time. However, I was told that because I could make eye contact and hold a conversation with the psychiatrist then I obviously didn’t have autism.”

David eventually saw an NHS psychiatrist who referred him to the adult autism team, and after a 40-week wait for an assessment he received confirmation that he was autistic.

“I’ve always had social anxiety, that’s habitual and is still there, but the diagnosis put a whole lot into perspective at age 49,” he says.

“In the last five years since diagnosis I have had a bit more bravery to go out and explore the world a little more.”

David has used cannabis recreationally in the past, but due to his mental health, struggled with the fact it meant breaking the law. 

“Cannabis has always helped but the illegality of it didn’t,” he admits.

“As a result of OCD, I have that kind of nature where I don’t like to break the rules. When I was smoking recreationally and illegally in the past, there was always anxiety around it.”

Six months ago he signed up to Project Twenty21 and was able to obtain a legal prescription through The Medical Cannabis Clinics.

Under the guidance of his prescribing doctor, David tried oils and flower products, but they weren’t necessarily as effective for him as he had hoped.

The VapePod device, developed by Israeli medical cannabis company, Kanabo, only became available for UK medical cannabis patients recently.

It’s the first product of its kind, encompassing a medical-grade handheld vaporiser with controlled metered dosage, allowing patients to administer an accurate, measured dose of cannabis extract.

Kanabo hopes that providing an alternative solution to the inhalation of medicinal cannabis flowers, will improve patient access and boost trust amongst medical professionals.

David has found the VapePod to be hugely effective in relieving his symptoms, compared to other products he has tried.

“The VapePod has been so effective for me in easing pain quickly due to inhalation and the fast onset, I get almost instant relief,” he says.

“I’m halfway down on my pregabalin medicine as prescribed for nerve pain. I’m down to four tablets in the morning and four tablets at night, compared to nearly 30 at one time.”

But importantly for David, the device is discreet enough for him to medicate in situations where he may find himself experiencing anxiety.

“Now I take cannabis out with me and medicate as needed,” he says. 

“I still get really panicked trying to be myself and make small talk in a shop or similar. I am working on it, but it’s hard to undo a lifetime of fear.” 

He continues: “Cannabis definitely helps me cope with the sensory stuff as well as the anxiety.

“If I’m out and about and a little bit stressed, I’ve got the device with me and I can take one or two metered doses. Whereas if I had a big heavy desktop flower vaporiser, you can’t use that until you get home or somewhere where you can discreetly medicate.

“Unfortunately there is still this stigma associated with medicinal cannabis despite it being legal. It’s all about growing the awareness.”

David is doing his own bit to help bring about this awareness, working closely with patient advocacy group PLEA (Patient-led Engagement for Access) to help challenge the inequalities in access to cannabis-based medicinal products in the UK. 

“For many people cannabis can be life changing, so access for patients is so important. Attitudes are changing and it’s becoming increasingly clear how effective it can be for so many people suffering with many different conditions,” he adds.

“Through my involvement with PLEA I have spoken publicly, whereas before my prescription I’d hardly spoken to anyone outside of immediate family and a few friends.

“It has certainly been life changing for me.”