General

General

Discover general insights on medical cannabis, including benefits, usage tips, research updates, and expert advice for safe and effective treatment.

Will medical cannabis get me 'high'?

Next up in our "New Patients" series, we explore the very first question that pops into almost all prospective patients' minds - "Will cannabis-based treatment options get me ‘high’?"

3 min read
01.05.2025
Sam North

Are you medicating with Dispenseree?

With millions of people thought to be self-medicating with cannabis in the UK, websites like Dispenseree have become increasingly popular despite their illegality. But there are numerous risks when it comes to buying cannabis online, especially when it's for medicinal use.

8 min read
12.09.2025
Sarah Sinclair

The World Health Organisation's involvement in medical cannabis

World Health Day is upon us once more, and with it comes the opportunity to reflect on how the World Health Organisation (WHO) has helped shape recent global medical cannabis policies, changed public perception towards this intriguing plant, and continues to lead the way in promoting health and well-being for all.

8 min read
05.04.2024
Sam North

Medical cannabis and employment: what you need to know

This article explores the rights medical cannabis patients have in their workplace, focusing on their legal rights under the Equality Act 2010. Advocate for fair treatment and inclusive atmospheres in the workplace confidently, using this guide as a base on how to navigate employment policies and legislations as a UK-based medical cannabis patient.

12 min read
25.07.2025
Lucy MacKinnon

Natural and holistic pain management techniques

Pain is the most common reason for medical intervention worldwide. While many of us will have a stash of over-the-counter painkillers in our medicine cupboard, these are not always sufficient for relieving our pain. But with the undesirable side effects of stronger pain medications, more people than ever are looking for natural pain relief. So, what are some of the best natural and holistic pain management techniques that really work?

7 min read
05.04.2024
Emily Ledger

Sativa vs Indica: What’s the Difference, Effects & Benefits

The terms indica and sativa are widely used when talking about different types of medical cannabis, with each previously thought to have its own distinct therapeutic effects. But with little evidence to support this, experts are calling for a new, science-backed approach to classify products more accurately.

12 min read
21.08.2025
Sarah Sinclair

Attending UK music festivals with medical cannabis

Medical cannabis has now been legal in the UK for over five years. Yet, there remains significant uncertainty around the rules and regulations for using cannabis-based medicines in public spaces. As summer slowly approaches, we’re taking a look at the guidelines for attending UK music festivals with a medical cannabis prescription.

8 min read
18.05.2025
Emily Ledger

Experts explain: How GPs play a pivotal role in ongoing medical cannabis treatments

In the UK, General Practitioners sit on the forefront and frontline of healthcare, and they are typically a person's first port of call when something arises with their health. But, unfortunately, in the UK, GPs cannot issue a prescription for cannabis-based treatments to a patient who has never received them before. They can, however, assist in shared care agreements, hold follow-up appointments, and issue repeat prescriptions for medical cannabis. 

9 min read
27.03.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Prescribed cannabis oil vs vaping medical cannabis flower

If you’re able to obtain a prescription for medical cannabis in the UK, the chances are you’ll be prescribed it as an oil or as dried flower for vaping. But what’s the difference between these two delivery routes? How do they both work? And how do you know which one is right for you?

14 min read
30.08.2025
Sarah Sinclair

Medical cannabis for elderly patients: safety, benefits, and considerations

As we age, the need for medical care and support grows. From decades-long niggles to sudden, serious health concerns - the golden years can be challenging and uncertain. Conventional approaches to health are the go-to for most seniors, but many pharmaceutical options can have heavy, concerning, and risky side effects.

13 min read
25.03.2024
Sam North

What to know before starting medical cannabis treatment with Releaf

Starting medical cannabis treatment can feel daunting. This guide explains how treatment works in the UK, what information you need to provide, and what happens next, helping you understand the process clearly before your first consultation with Releaf.

12 min read
30.01.2026
Sam North

Mental health in the changing seasons

As we head into the spring and out of the dark, cold months of winter, we’re shedding some light on how the changing seasons play an often overlooked role in our mental health. From ‘Blue Monday’ to ‘Yellow Day’, we’ll explore seasons' significance in common mental health struggles and the role of medical and wellness interventions.

9 min read
21.03.2024
Emily Ledger

National Blood Donor Month: Can I donate blood as a medical cannabis patient in the UK?

Blood donation is vital for many areas of health care, including emergency blood transfusions, as well as for medical research and the development of new treatments. This National Blood Donor Month, we’re looking at the importance of blood donation in the UK and around the world, and looking into how your status as a medical cannabis patient could affect your eligibility to give blood.

11 min read
28.01.2026
Sam North

The Releaf medical cannabis card explained

Releaf offers every patient a medical cannabis card with their prescription to help ensure peace of mind when administering their medicine in public. Here’s everything you need to know about how it works.

9 min read
12.03.2024
Sarah Sinclair

How diet interacts with medical cannabis oil

While we may be cautious about drug-drug interactions, many of us likely give little thought to potential food-drug interactions. In this article, and to commemorate this year’s Nutrition and Hydration Week, we’re taking a closer look at how diet can influence the effects of medical cannabis oil.

14 min read
26.02.2025
Emily Ledger

How does medical cannabis affect the body

To launch our New Patient blog series, we're beginning with a beginner's guide that explores the effects of medical cannabis on the body.

6 min read
22.11.2024
Sam North

How the UK healthcare industry is investigating medical cannabis

This article will take a deep dive into the global evidence base for the medicinal use of cannabis, with a specific focus on clinical trials and emerging areas of research in the UK. We’ll explore how the findings can inform modern healthcare and potentially make a real difference to millions of patients in the UK.

14 min read
05.03.2024
Sarah Sinclair

What is prescribed cannabis oil?

In today's article, we are going to put a spotlight on all the medical cannabis oil options that are now legally prescribable here in the UK and take a close look at how they may be able to aid patients in managing symptoms relating to a huge range of health conditions.

15 min read
22.11.2024
Sam North

Understanding names for cannabis: From medical terms to colloquial slang

Weed, ganga, pot, kush, bud, sticky-icky, Mary Jane - whatever term you use, cannabis has been intertwined with the human experience for millennia, and has a rich history in traditional medicine globally. But as the world modernises, cultures clash, and science advances, it has become somewhat of a polarising topic.

9 min read
16.02.2024
Sam North

Sinking our teeth into medical cannabis and dentistry

To celebrate National toothache day, we thought it would be appropriate to sink our teeth into the topic of dentistry in the landscape of medical cannabis, and discuss how cannabis use can affect and impact oral health.

10 min read
26.02.2025
Lucy MacKinnon

The benefits of staying sober past January

Although Dry January drew to a close last week, the benefits of staying sober can be felt year round, and enjoying alcohol in moderation is one of the best ways to naturally boost your overall health and general wellbeing.

10 min read
07.02.2024
Lucy MacKinnon