General
Discover general insights on medical cannabis, including benefits, usage tips, research updates, and expert advice for safe and effective treatment.
Real patient voices: Multiple sclerosis, medical cannabis, and me
Today marks the fourth instalment of our most recent series: ‘Medical cannabis and me: Real patient voices’, a space dedicated to highlighting first-hand accounts of Releaf patients using cannabis-based treatments to manage their health conditions. In this edition, we’re paying special attention to individuals who have turned to Releaf for MS symptom management.
Beyond the physical: Understanding the emotional and cognitive impact of MS
MS isn’t just physical. Many people experience hidden symptoms like anxiety, depression, memory problems and brain fog - issues that often go unseen and untreated. This World MS Day, we’re highlighting the emotional and cognitive impact of MS, and why these symptoms deserve just as much care as the visible ones.
Decoding Cannabis: Can medical cannabis support gut issues (nausea, IBS, IBD) and digestion?
From bloating and nausea to IBD and IBS, digestive symptoms are hard to treat and among the most common reasons people in the UK consider medical cannabis. But does it work, and if so, how? In this article, we break down what the research says about cannabis, digestion, and gut-related conditions.
World Digestive Health Day: Can medical cannabis support gut health?
Each year at the end of May, World Digestive Health Day is celebrated all around the globe. In honour of this important awareness campaign, we’re taking a closer look at the role of digestive health, and the potential benefits of medical cannabis for certain digestive health disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn’s disease.
Keeping patients safe: Clarifying legal and clinical claims in medical cannabis advocacy
Last month, Seed Our Future, a national campaign who raise awareness of UK cannabis law, published a report that discusses the differences between smoking and vaping prescribed cannabis. Advocacy efforts like this play a vital role in shaping public understanding and pushing for reform, but, they only serve patients well when the information they share is accurate.
What is HHC: Is it legal or prescribed in the UK?
HHC is a synthetic cannabinoid with growing online hype but no clinical backing. In this guide, we explain what HHC is, how it’s made, what it does in the body, and why it’s not a safe substitute for medical cannabis, especially under UK law.
Decoding Cannabis: What real patients say about cannabis for chronic pain
In this Decoding Cannabis blog, we explore a large real-world study of patients taking medical cannabis for chronic pain. The findings highlight how it's being used, how well it's working, and why more people are turning to it when other treatments fall short.
Real patient voices: How medical cannabis has helped alleviate digestive discomfort
If you’re an avid Releaf reader, you’ll know we recently started to share our patient’s voices on our blog, in the form of their testimonials, in our latest series ‘Medical cannabis and me: Real patient voices’. And considering next Wednesday its World Digestive Health Day, we thought it would be particularly fitting to pay special attention to those who’ve found relief in this area this week.
Decoding Cannabis: Can cannabinoids help treat mental health conditions?
Can cannabis support mental health? This edition of Decoding Cannabis explores the 2020 clinical review on cannabinoids for depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia - and why cautious optimism, not overstatement, is key.
Introducing Releaf’s on-screen support initiative for a more accessible patient experience
It’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) - a day dedicated to improving digital accessibility and inclusion. With around one billion people living with disabilities globally, and a world increasingly reliant on digital resources, digital accessibility has never been more important. To mark the 14th annual GAAD, we’re taking a closer look at our new In-Clinic Accessibility Layer - Releaf’s video-based dashboard support service.
Setting new standards: Releaf becomes a GMC designated body
Releaf is proud to announce that we are now a GMC designated body—one of the first medical cannabis clinics in the UK to achieve this prestigious status. This major milestone means we can directly oversee the professional standards of our prescribing doctors, ensuring our patients receive safe, regulated, and consistently high-quality care. It’s not just a badge of honour—it’s a commitment to clinical excellence and leadership in the medical cannabis industry.
Decoding Cannabis: What the science says about menopause and medical cannabis
Menopause can bring complex physical and emotional symptoms that affect daily life. This Decoding Cannabis article explains how UK medical cannabis and CBD may help ease sleep issues, anxiety, and pain when used under clinical guidance. With UK regulation and medical oversight at its core, the piece highlights evidence, safety, and how cannabis may support women through the menopause transition
Synthetic cannabis - what is it exactly, and is it dangerous?
Synthetic cannabis has nothing in common with real cannabis, despite the name. It’s an unregulated, dangerous class of drugs with unpredictable and often severe effects. In this blog, we break down the science, the history, and the human cost of synthetic cannabinoids like Spice and Black Mamba
Brain fog: Can medical cannabis help?
Brain fog is a common symptom of a number of health conditions; however, it can also be associated with lifestyle factors, hormones, and some medications. In this article, we’re exploring the causes of brain fog, recommended ways of tackling its symptoms, and whether medical cannabis could be helpful.
UK Police say the smell of cannabis no longer constitutes grounds for stop and search
Last week, Avon and Somerset Police announced they have trained their frontline officers to no longer use the smell of cannabis as grounds for stop and searches, following IOPC guidance, and ISoPP recommendations.
Decoding Cannabis: Medical cannabis for fibromyalgia, a real-world study review
Medical cannabis may not be a cure for fibromyalgia, but for many UK patients, it’s helping reduce pain, improve sleep, and ease reliance on conventional meds. This real-world study shows how cannabis could reshape chronic pain treatment.
UK music festivals recognise medical cannabis
While a lack of clear guidance has often led to unnecessary stress for medical cannabis patients, particularly when arranging travel plans or attending public events such as music festivals, things seem to be slowly improving. Several UK music festivals have provided medical cannabis guidance in the run-up to this year’s events. We’re taking a closer look at these considerations and how they represent a significant step in the wider acceptance of medical cannabis.
The largest-ever study on medical cannabis for cancer: The results revealed
Cancer reshapes lives in an instant, and for many, conventional treatments come with overwhelming side effects. In the largest study of its kind, researchers analysed over 10,000 pieces of scientific evidence to answer a vital question: can medical cannabis play a meaningful role in cancer care? From managing relentless pain and nausea to supporting sleep and emotional wellbeing, here’s what the science says - and where we go from here.
Real patient voices: Stress awareness special - Releaf medical cannabis patient's real stories
Welcome to our second instalment of ‘Medical cannabis and me: Real patient voices’ our new blog series that shares real patient voices, their insights, and accounts of their experiences, with medical cannabis.
Why patients are turning away from traditional healthcare options
With 57% of UK medicines in short supply and 110M unnecessary prescriptions issued yearly, Releaf offers a trusted alternative with medical cannabis care.
Decoding Cannabis: Why thousands are replacing opioids with cannabis for pain relief
Opioids have long been the default for managing most chronic pain issues. Albeit powerful at targeting pain, many would argue they have been overly prescribed, and they are often alarmingly hard to come off. Yet quietly, another option has been slowly but surely making inroads in chronic pain treatment: medical cannabis.
Earth Day special: Is cannabis natural?
Is medical cannabis natural? This Earth Day, explore the origins, environmental impact, and sustainability of cannabis-based medicines. Learn how plant-based treatments like medical cannabis fit into the natural vs synthetic medicine debate—and why they may be better for the planet.
Decoding Cannabis: The science behind oral CBD absorption and bioavailability
In 2025, CBD oil is readily available in the UK - but how much of it is actually absorbed by the body when you take it orally? In this first instalment of our new blog series, ‘Decoding Cannabis’, we dissect a recent lab study that looks into one of the biggest issues with orally administered CBD oil - low rates of absorption.
Medical cannabis and bowel cancer: What you need to know
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month - a month dedicated to raising awareness around this common type of cancer and providing support and resources to those affected. Around 120 people are diagnosed with the condition - which includes both colon and rectal cancers - every day in the UK. In honour of this important awareness campaign, we’re taking a closer look at the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, conventional treatments, and how medical cannabis could be helpful for some patients.