General

General

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

Can medical cannabis help with Long Covid?

Millions of people in the UK are living with the effects of long covid. As many of the symptoms overlap with those of other conditions that can be managed with cannabis-based medicines, there is a growing interest in medical cannabis treatments for this population.

6 min read
15.11.2024
Sarah Sinclair

How does medical cannabis interact with diabetes?

World Diabetes Day takes place every year on the 14th of November and this year, we’d like to contribute to the cause and raise awareness for medical cannabis - an alternative option for diabetes symptom management in the UK.

9 min read
14.11.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

The rise of alternative options: Being kinder to your body

Being kind can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. It can mean taking out your elderly neighbour’s bins every week or going out of your way to make a loved one - or even a stranger - feel appreciated. But it can also mean taking care of yourself by making considered choices for a healthier and more well-rounded life.

6 min read
13.11.2024
Emily Ledger

How does cannabis oil work in the body?

Here at Releaf, medical cannabis oil is the second most commonly prescribed cannabis-based medication, right after medical cannabis flower - so to continue our 'New Patient' blog series, we are focusing on all things medical cannabis oil.

7 min read
12.11.2024
Sam North

Make way for Movember: Men's health and medical cannabis

It’s Movember once again - a time when moustaches become commonplace on our streets, at work, and even in our homes. But this important event is about much more than questionable facial hair. It is a time of raising awareness around men’s health and bringing people together to talk, support, and donate. In honour of this Movember 2024, we’re taking a closer look at men’s health, including testicular and prostate cancer, mental health and suicide prevention, and the potential role of medical cannabis.

7 min read
07.11.2024
Emily Ledger

FAQ: Is it illegal to smoke medical cannabis in the UK?

In the UK, it is always illegal to smoke cannabis. While medical cannabis can be prescribed to suitable patients in the UK through private healthcare clinics like Releaf, it is only prescribed with the intention, and with strict instructions, of being vaped - not smoked.

5 min read
07.11.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

How to clean a grinder

Medical cannabis flower is the most commonly prescribed cannabis-based medication here in the UK. But unlike most treatment options, both traditional and alternative, it is not delivered to patients in a fully 'ready-to-administer' form.

4 min read
05.11.2024
Sam North

Top tips for stress management with medical cannabis

We all experience stress occasionally— and sometimes it can even be useful. But if left unchecked it can become problematic, particularly for those living with long-term health conditions, the symptoms of which can be exacerbated by stress. 

5 min read
04.11.2024
Sarah Sinclair

Experts interviewed: Medical cannabis and ADHD awareness

As October draws to a close, so does ADHD Awareness Month - but, its sentiment stands strong year round. In fact, just last year, a study of over 7 million people showed ADHD diagnosis rates increased 20-fold between 2000 and 2018 in the UK, and a 50-fold increase was noted in prescriptions for ADHD medications amongst men aged between 18 and 29.

9 min read
31.10.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Six years of medical cannabis: What does it mean to you?

Friday the 1st of November 2024 marks six years of medical cannabis in the UK. For the last six years, (since November 1, 2018) specialist doctors like those working at Releaf have been able to prescribe medical cannabis flower, and cannabis oil, to eligible patients when traditional treatments have proved ineffective.

7 min read
31.10.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Terpene Trivia: Where else can I find cannabis terpenes?

Cannabis is an extremely complex and versatile species, with different plants potentially containing a distinct range and different concentrations of various compounds. Take terpenes, for example. There are estimated to be more than 200 terpenes present in cannabis, with different combinations contributing to the variable features and properties of different cultivars. However, these aromatic and often therapeutic compounds are far from unique to cannabis.

5 min read
30.10.2024
Emily Ledger

Can medical cannabis oil help me?

Medical cannabis has been a legal treatment option in the UK for just shy of six years now. However, it’s only within the past twelve months that the UK media has started to embrace the therapeutic potential of this remarkable plant, and its derivatives. This has recently led to a marked shift in public opinion and understanding of cannabis-based treatments.

9 min read
25.10.2024
Sam North

Who uses medical cannabis in the UK?

Medical cannabis was legalised almost 6 years ago as an alternative treatment option for a large volume of health conditions when conventional approaches have proved ineffective.

7 min read
24.10.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Why medical cannabis is not prescribed for schizoaffective disorder in the UK

Medical cannabis has been prescribed for a wide range of conditions in the UK since the legislation of cannabis-based treatments on the 1st of November 2018. Since then, tens of thousands of patients have received a prescription for cannabis-based medicines; however, there are several conditions, including schizoaffective disorder, for which medical cannabis is not considered a suitable option. But why is this?

5 min read
23.10.2024
Emily Ledger

How to take medical cannabis oil

Today, we continue our 'New Patient' blog series in the same vein, but this time, we'll give a brief (but in-depth) overview of how medical cannabis is taken and why sublingual administration is the most commonly prescribed method.

4 min read
22.10.2024
Sam North

THC Vapes: the what, the where, the why, and the warning

In this article, we explore the distinction between illegal, unregulated THC vape pens and legally prescribed medical cannabis flower. Understanding the difference is crucial— especially for patients— when it comes to making informed choices about your health.

6 min read
21.10.2024
Sarah Sinclair

Women and medical cannabis: addressing gender-specific health issues

Women and people who menstruate face several unique health challenges, in addition to a higher risk of some medical conditions. Yet, women often struggle to access effective solutions for these conditions, leaving many forced to live with the burden of their symptoms.

8 min read
18.10.2024
Emily Ledger

2024 breakthroughs: The latest research shaping the future of cannabis-based medicines

The medicinal potential of cannabis and its derivatives has been a focus of medical research for hundreds of years. Yet, there remains a significant number of unknowns around this complex and versatile plant. With that in mind, we’re taking a closer look at some of the most significant medical cannabis research published so far in 2024.

7 min read
16.10.2024
Emily Ledger

What health records do I need for medical cannabis?

Welcome back to our 'New Patient' blog series, where we cover all the frequently asked questions, along with treatment tips and product options for new patients interested in UK medical cannabis.

3 min read
15.10.2024
Sam North

Real Voices: How Loved Ones React to Medical Cannabis

Starting your journey with medical cannabis treatment can be daunting, especially if it’s not something you’ve tried before. Many people are hesitant, not because they doubt the efficacy of the medication, but because of the social stigma which can come with it.

8 min read
14.10.2024
Sarah Sinclair

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day

Tomorrow is World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, which falls on the second Saturday of October each year and marks a time to reflect on the importance of compassionate and effective care for those facing life-limiting and terminal illnesses.

8 min read
11.10.2024
Sam North