General

General

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

How do I access my medical cannabis consultation?

Becoming a Releaf medical cannabis patient and accessing your medical cannabis consultations is easy, and the entire process can be done from the comfort of your own home.

3 min read
28.08.2024
Sam North

Exploring the benefits of medical cannabis for different types of pain

Pain is an extremely complex symptom that can be linked to a wide range of sources and conditions. But while most people experience pain as an occasional and temporary disruption, many experience it as a more significant burden that significantly affects their quality of life. This may be due to the development of certain medical conditions which can be associated with different types of pain.

10 min read
28.08.2024
Emily Ledger

Medical cannabis, the DVLA and prescribed medicines

Despite medical cannabis being legal in the UK for almost six years, there is still confusion— and mixed messages—around the rights and responsibilities of patients when it comes to driving with their prescription.

10 min read
23.08.2024
Sarah Sinclair

Six monumental moments in the first six months of Releaf

We officially launched six months ago on February 1st after almost a year of hard work and preparation. We now have over 20,000 members in our community, and thought it was time to take a trip down memory lane to see how we achieved this, what we’ve learnt along the way, and what our patients have to say.

10 min read
22.08.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Fighting Fibromyalgia: finding comfort with medical cannabis

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition which can be hard to diagnose and hard to treat. But in many patients— and supported by a growing evidence base— medical cannabis is showing promise for symptom management and improving quality of life. We take a closer look at the research and hear from those with first-hand experience.

8 min read
21.08.2024
Sarah Sinclair

What should I look for in a product, so I know it’s safe?

The UK medical cannabis sector is one of the safest and most highly regulated in the world. This is thanks to the strict procedures and guidelines put in place by regulatory bodies such as the Medicines and Healthcare product Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Quality Care Commission (CQC), and NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). These organisations ensure that the medical cannabis products available to UK patients are safe, effective, and high quality.

4 min read
20.08.2024
Sam North

Exploring different diets for different health conditions

Diet has been linked to a huge number of health conditions, many of which represent a significant risk of morbidity. Yet, while many of us may make a conscious effort to eat a relatively healthy diet, we may overlook how different diets can benefit or exacerbate certain existing health conditions.

6 min read
16.08.2024
Emily Ledger

Going below the surface: Psoriasis and medical cannabis treatments

Every August, the National Psoriasis Foundation hosts Psoriasis Action Month - a time dedicated to raising awareness around this common disease and providing advice and support to those affected. Despite affecting an estimated 125 million people worldwide, the impact of psoriasis is still not widely understood.

6 min read
14.08.2024
Emily Ledger

What should I do if my medication isn't working for me?

Medical cannabis treatment and finding the perfect combination of cultivar (or oil) and dosage sizing is, at least in some respect, an individualised process. Some patients find the level of symptom management they are hoping for straight away, but for others, it can take a little bit of experimentation to find the balance that works best for them.

3 min read
13.08.2024
Sam North

What is a terpene profile?

Cannabis is an incredibly complex plant that contains thousands of active compounds. While the most well-known compounds may be cannabinoids - and of these, CBD and THC enjoy the most coverage - another class of compounds contribute significantly to the potential benefits of this incredible plant: Terpenes.

6 min read
07.08.2024
Emily Ledger

How to store medical cannabis properly

Storing most medications correctly is essential to not only the shelf life but also the overall efficacy. This is (debatably) even more important when it comes to dried medical cannabis flower, as it is an organic product, unlike most conventional pharmaceuticals.

5 min read
06.08.2024
Sam North

Everything you need to know about medical cannabis and arthritis

The cannabis plant has been used as a therapeutic aid for thousands of years. Despite an almost global ban on the plant throughout the 20th century, more and more countries are once again acknowledging the medicinal potential of this versatile plant. Cannabis-based medicines can now be prescribed in the UK for a wide range of conditions, including arthritis. 

7 min read
31.07.2024
Emily Ledger

Sciatica and medical cannabis: A promising path for pain relief?

Up to 40% of the population are thought to be affected by sciatica, which can cause a number of debilitating symptoms. But where other treatments have failed, medical cannabis may hold promise for reducing pain and improving patients’ overall wellbeing.

8 min read
29.07.2024
Sarah Sinclair

How medical cannabis can play a role in palliative care

Decisions surrounding palliative care are something that almost all of us will face at some point in our lives, whether for ourselves or for someone we care deeply about. But before that time comes, it's a subject that is often avoided or at least slightly misunderstood.

10 min read
26.07.2024
Sam North

Schizophrenia Awareness Day: Understanding the exclusions in medical cannabis treatments

Every year, the 25th of July commemorates National Schizophrenia Awareness Day - an event established by mental health charity, Rethink Mental Health. The day aims to shine a spotlight on the everyday challenges faced by the millions of people living with schizophrenia and the stigma and discrimination that still remain around this diagnosis.

6 min read
24.07.2024
Emily Ledger

Why are different cannabis cultivars different prices?

In today's write-up, we will explain all the factors that can and do affect the price of medical cannabis cultivars. Here at Releaf, we want to ensure that our patients are well-informed about their medication options, including the pricing factors.

5 min read
23.07.2024
Sam North

Plastic free July: Releaf's eco-friendly packaging

In the last two decades, global plastic production has doubled, with 400 million tonnes of plastic waste now produced every year. As one of the only UK clinics to provide medical cannabis flower in eco-friendly packaging, Releaf is committed to finding more sustainable solutions this Plastic Free July and is taking steps towards a plastic-free future.

7 min read
22.07.2024
Sarah Sinclair

Understanding the lingo: medical cannabis terminology

Cannabis-based remedies are mentioned as far back as the Ancient Egyptians and Ancient Greeks. In fact, the earliest mention of medical cannabis is believed to date back even further to the time of the Ancient Chinese Emperor Shen Nung - known as the Father of Chinese Medicine - almost 5,000 years ago!

9 min read
17.07.2024
Emily Ledger

How long does medical cannabis take to work?

People who are considering adding medical cannabis to their treatment routine usually have a few pressing questions, which is more than understandable.

4 min read
16.07.2024
Sam North

How Labour’s election win could impact medical cannabis patients

As Keir Starmer becomes the new UK Prime Minister, what impact—if any—will a Labour government have on medical cannabis policy? On Friday, 5 July, the UK woke up to a new era as Keir Starmer was elected as the first Labour Prime Minister in 14 years.

6 min read
15.07.2024
Sarah Sinclair

What medications interact with medical cannabis?

All medications come with the possibility of interactions with other drugs/pharmaceuticals, and medical cannabis is no exception. Continuing on with our 'New Patient' series, we dig our teeth into the often-asked question: "What medications interact with medical cannabis?"

5 min read
09.07.2024
Sam North