A year of listening: how our patients shaped Releaf in 2025

Here, we wrap up the year with three of the most powerful Releaf Patient Stories we had the pleasure of highlighting in 2025. Stories that are not only important for the UK to hear, but ones that helped shape the way we support, communicate with, and care for our patients. 

Carla’s story: When finally being believed and supported made all the difference

Carla’s story is the absolute epitome of resilience. For years, she faced almost unbelievable levels of not just doubt, but straight-out dismissal and heavy judgment in her search for a proper diagnosis and treatment that helped quiet the pain that goes hand-in-hand with endometriosis.

Here is her story, in her words:

In my experience, there is a certain level of misogyny in the gynaecology sector. Of course, not all specialists, but definitely some. I felt like the doctor was questioning my motives and if I was even being truthful - "Is it all in your head?", "Are you sure you're in that much pain?",  "Are you sure you're not just trying to get stronger medication from us?" 

And you feel like you are completely judged for something that is out of your control.”

A doctor once told me that my endometriosis "was a punishment from God"  because women are "designed to have children, and when we don't have children, it's a punishment from God. God gets angry, and he punishes us.

My jaw was literally on the floor as he was telling me I was being punished by God for something that was out of my control.

But, before (and after) being referred to this doctor, I was really put through the wringer.

I can't tell you how bad the pain can be. Some days, I just wish I didn't wake up. It's tough when you're in pain every day, it affects every aspect of your life. You don't want to go out.

Before all of this, I was a working musician. But I couldn’t do that any more - stand for long periods of time on stage. And stress also seems to make my pain worse.

But, from the first time I took my Releaf medical cannabis, it felt like I could finally take a deep breath and breathe out. I'm not saying the anxiety completely goes away. It doesn't. But it definitely decreases it to a point where I can think a little bit more clearly.

It's not just the medication, though.

The staff is amazing, too. Every time I have had a phone call or sent an email, everything is sorted by the next day. They're really helpful. The doctors are great. You're not judged in any way. They're just really nice. They put you at ease, which, when you start a new type of treatment, especially something as new as medical cannabis, you can feel really anxious about it. 

But with Releaf, it's not like that at all. From the staff who answer the phone and emails to the dispensary staff and the doctors, everyone is just nice and approachable.

Carla’s story was first shared with Releaf and later reported on by The Mirror.

Jodie’s story: When years of pain and sleepless nights finally eased

Jodie’s story reflects the long, arduous road many cancer survivors face once treatment has finished. Years of heightened anxiety, chronic pain, and insomnia, alongside the added burden of entering early menopause, shaped her daily existence and led to a huge dip in quality of life. 

For Jodie, finally finding a treatment option that worked holistically and for multiple symptoms was truly life-changing, along with the support she has received from Releaf's world-class clinical team:

In 2008, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and while I was going through treatment, my doctors discovered that I also have skin lupus. Because of the cancer medications and chemotherapy, I went into early menopause, and my general health started to get quite bad.

Because of the cancer, I can’t have HRT, so I wasn’t treated in a conventional way. The lupus seemed to double the negative effects of the menopause. I really felt like I was losing control. I began to experience chronic anxiety, couldn’t sleep, and my pain seemed to only get worse.

For years, I managed only two or three hours of sleep if I was lucky. That impacted my work, my self-confidence, and many different areas in my life. I didn’t want to take amitriptyline because of the side effects. That wasn’t the route I wanted to go down.

When I first spoke to the doctor at Releaf, I felt like somebody was finally listening and actually taking what I was saying into account. Everyone was so knowledgeable, and whenever I asked a question, it got answered.

I love the medical cannabis oil. With a very small dose at night, I sleep six or seven hours most nights. I wake up refreshed, in a good mood, and in a really good place. It’s a nice, gentle dozing off, nothing like sleep medications I’ve tried before.

I use the oil for sleep and then a flower option to treat my pain. After work, when my hip is really sore, I’ll use my vape pen, and after about 20 minutes, the pain dissipates. That’s been a game-changer for me

I’m not as anxious anymore, and the pain isn’t very bad. I feel more like me than I have for a long time. People can see the difference in me. I’ve got more energy, and I’m finding things to look forward to again.

Jodie’s story was later shared by the Liverpool Echo.

Steven’s story: Rebuilding confidence and a happy life after years of constant pain

Steven’s story shows how chronic pain can slowly but surely sneak into every moment of every day and gradually strip a person of their normality. Once an active schoolteacher, business owner, and former carer for his parents, Steven said he’d lived ‘a rich tapestry of various experiences,’ but at 71, he found himself having to say goodbye to hobby after hobby.

That is, until his GP suggested he try medical cannabis as a ‘last ditch’ hope when other treatment options had fallen short. 

I was diagnosed a couple of years ago with polymyalgia rheumatica and later fibromyalgia, so there was a lot of pain going on generally. Earlier this year I also started to suffer from excruciating pain in my legs, which was diagnosed as a gout-like condition. I was in so much pain, unbelievable levels of pain, I could barely walk.

I was put on medication that was similar to an opiate, but I didn’t like taking it. It made me feel odd and woozy, and if I’d taken the dose they gave me, I wouldn’t have been able to drive or do anything. It also caused problems with my stomach and constipation, which was a big problem for me.

When I asked my GP about getting help with the pain, they suggested “why not try medical cannabis? Realistically, what do I have to lose?’.”

I looked at the various options and Releaf seemed very professional. Their website was good, and I spoke to friends who were already using medical cannabis, including one who was with Releaf and said it had been working for them.

I was very pleasantly surprised at how simple and straightforward it was. I was able to link Releaf up to my medical records using NHS Login, which made everything much easier. The whole process was smooth and professional.

I’ve been very impressed by the consultations. They really know what they’re doing and give good advice. You can’t fault them in terms of knowledge and concern.

If it hadn’t been for the medication, I don’t think I’d be where I am now. It enabled me to carry on and not feel so hopeless. It doesn’t just help with the pain, it’s also helped me with the mental side of coping with it.

My life has opened up again. I’m going up to Scotland soon for a holiday that will involve a lot of walking. Before, I wouldn’t have been able to do that. Now I’ve regained mobility again. I’ve still got a little bit of pain, but nothing compared to what it was.

Steven’s story was later shared by Wales Online.

Listening, learning, and carrying our patients' voices forward

We cannot fully describe just how deeply grateful we are to every single Releaf patient who made the brave choice to share their health journey with us this year publicly. 2025 has been a year of massive growth for Releaf, and our patients' honesty, integrity, vulnerability, and resilience have helped shape how we listen, learn, and offer the highest level of care in the UK medical cannabis industry. 

As the most trusted UK medical cannabis clinic, we are fully aware that trust is earned, not given. Consitency, compassion, and putting our patients voices at the centre of everything we do is at the core of our ethos, and we will continue to improve with every passing day, week, and month into 2026 and beyond. 

From everyone here at Releaf, we hope that your 2025 holiday period has been filled with good health, laughter, and time to rest, recharge, and spend meaningful moments with loved ones. 

If you are considering medical cannabis treatment and want to understand whether it could be right for you, head to Releaf’s medical cannabis eligibility checker. It’s free, takes less than 20 seconds, and offers a simple, obligation-free way to check your potential eligibility.