General

General

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

How to decide if medical cannabis is right for your condition

Patients in the UK have been able to access legal, regulated medical cannabis products for almost six years. Since the legalisation of medical cannabis in 2018, tens of thousands of patients have experienced the benefits of this incredible plant and its derivatives. But how do you know if medical cannabis is a good option for your health condition?

6 min read
25.09.2024
Emily Ledger

What happens after my initial consultation?

Welcome back to our 'New Patient' series, where we answer all the more frequently asked questions that prospective (and newly signed up) Releaf patients often have. In today's write-up, we will quickly explore what happens directly after you have your initial consultation with one of our world-class clinical team.

4 min read
24.09.2024
Sam North

What does medical cannabis taste like?

A lot of the content around medical cannabis focuses on its therapeutic benefits (and rightly so) from pain relief to easing anxiety. But for many first-time users, a question that often comes up is: What does medical cannabis taste like?

5 min read
23.09.2024
Sarah Sinclair

Exploring the benefits of medical cannabis for sleep disorders

Sleep is an essential process that allows our bodies and minds to repair themselves and function effectively. Getting enough high-quality sleep is therefore vital for maintaining our overall physical and mental health. Yet, research shows that a significant portion of the population is not getting enough sleep - with many suffering from sleep disorders. We’re taking a look at how medical cannabis treatment could be beneficial in treating common sleep disorders from insomnia to sleep apnoea.

9 min read
18.09.2024
Emily Ledger

How to use the Flowerstick Home Fill System

With a large proportion of Releaf patients choosing the Omura Vaporiser to "heat, not burn" their prescribed medical cannabis flower options, we thought it was about time to quickly discuss how to use the Flowerstick Home Fill System.

3 min read
17.09.2024
Sam North

UK Savings Week: is medical cannabis affordable?

Much like all other treatment options in the UK, medical cannabis does come with costs. But, here at Releaf we do our best to balance bespoke, specialised care with affordable and accessible treatment plans, and our ever-growing patient numbers and reams of positive reviews on Trust Pilot, show we’re keeping the scales in check.

5 min read
12.09.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

How does medical cannabis affect daily life

Medical cannabis has become increasingly accessible and accepted in recent years. However, accessing cannabis-based products - even from legal sources - can have an impact on everyday life. From medicating in public or even the comfort of your own home to driving and employment, there are many things to consider when becoming a medical cannabis patient.

7 min read
11.09.2024
Emily Ledger

When I join Releaf, will my GP find out?

Even though medical cannabis has been a full legal treatment option here in the UK since 1 November 2018, there is still a level of stigma surrounding it. It is anything but a surprise that some patients are worried about how their decision to pursue a medical cannabis prescription may affect their relationship with their general practitioner (GP).

4 min read
10.09.2024
Sam North

Medical cannabis and menopause

Menopause is an inevitability for around half the population. It’s a biological standard and a natural part of ageing that affects around 33 million people - but - that doesn’t mean it’s easy to manage. Recently, interest surrounding alternative therapies has increased, and more women are now making the switch from traditional treatments like HRT to natural alternatives like medical cannabis for menopause symptom management. 

8 min read
06.09.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

THC: The ultimate guide to the most abundant cannabinoid

Humans have been reaping the benefits of cannabis for thousands of years, whether for its nutritional value, industrial uses, or its therapeutic potential. Yet, an almost worldwide prohibition of cannabis in recent decades has meant that education around this impressive and complex plant is lacking - even as a growing number of countries continue to re-introduce its medicinal use.

7 min read
04.09.2024
Emily Ledger

How quickly can I start medical cannabis treatments?

If you’ve been looking to try a new treatment option to manage your symptoms or health conditions for years and have only just found out medical cannabis is a legal option in the UK, you may be eager to find out how quickly you can start medical cannabis treatments.

5 min read
29.08.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

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