General
Discover general insights on medical cannabis, including benefits, usage tips, research updates, and expert advice for safe and effective treatment.
How Brits feel about online healthcare services
Accelerated by the pandemic, an increasing number of healthcare providers are now offering online services, whether through their booking systems or virtual appointments. But how do patients really feel about digital healthcare? We take a look.
How fasting affects medical cannabis patients
Health and wellness have hit it big in the UK over the past two decades or so. From a country where over 70% of the adult male population smoked tobacco just 55 years ago to today, where that number is closer to 10% - and yoga studios, organic farmers markets, and CrossFit gyms have become as common as Greg's - it's obvious that a monumental shift has taken place.
How chronic health conditions affect mental health and wellbeing
It is estimated that around 26 million people in the UK live with at least one long-term health condition. Many of these individuals also experience poor mental health, such as anxiety or depression, which may also require treatment. In this article, we explore how medical cannabis therapy could help to address both the physical manifestations of various health conditions, as well as some commonly comorbid mental health problems.
Holistic health: How medical cannabis can support eating disorder recovery
Recovery from an eating disorder looks different for everyone. To mark the beginning of Eating Disorder Awareness Week (24 February-2 March 2025) this blog explores the potential role of medical cannabis, to support quality of life and wellbeing, as part of that journey.
Which rare conditions are treated at Releaf?
Next Friday, it’s Rare Disease Day, an event that takes place every year on the last day in February to act as a day of observance for rare conditions and the individuals they affect. This year, we’ve put together this blog to discuss which of the 83 conditions currently treated at Releaf are classed as rare, and, how frequently patients with these conditions are seen at our service.
Is my medical cannabis Indica or Sativa?
Starting medical cannabis treatment can feel like learning a new language. Not only is it fairly different to your standard pharmaceuticals, which most of us have grown up around and almost inherently understand, but medical cannabis treatment comes with its own terminology that can feel overwhelming at first.
Managing medication side effects: Why more patients are exploring medical cannabis
Medical cannabis has been available in the UK since the 1st of November 2018. Since then, a growing number of patients have shown interest in medical cannabis as an alternative therapy - often due to the undesirable side effects of medications such as opioids, NSAIDs, and SSRIs. Could medical cannabis offer a safe and effective alternative to these conventional treatments?
MPs show greater support for medical cannabis than the British public
A recent YouGov poll found greater support for prescription cannabis among MPs than the general public, challenging the common assumption that public opinion is more progressive than political sentiment. We take a closer look at the potential factors behind these figures.
Can medical cannabis patients grow their own plants in the UK?
Medical cannabis has been a legal treatment option in the UK since November 1, 2018, but it has only become more 'popular' in the past year or so.
Want to contribute to medical cannabis research in the UK?
When research papers say things like ‘1 in 5 MS patients have used cannabis to manage their symptoms’, have you ever wondered who these people actually are, or what their lives are like? Well, if you’re thinking of becoming a Releaf medical cannabis patient, you could be one of these people in the very near future!
Top tips for vaping cannabis
For patients just starting cannabis-based treatment, the idea of vaping their prescribed medical cannabis flower may seem intimidating, overwhelming, or even slightly weird. Fair enough - we know that vaping is a pretty new concept for most patients.
Unlocking rights: Key housing guidance for medical cannabis patients
Medical cannabis may have been legal in the UK since 2018, but many patients have been left feeling confused about their rights when it comes to taking their medication - both in public and the comfort of their own homes. Recently, the Cannabis Industry Council published further, much-needed guidance regarding medical cannabis and housing.
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.
NHS investment in cannabis-based research
Medical cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018 following high-profile campaigns by patients and advocates, primarily concerning the use of cannabis-based medicines in the treatment of refractory epilepsy. Over six years on, only a handful of patients have received an NHS prescription for medical cannabis. But could the completion of long-awaited NHS-backed medical cannabis clinical trials help improve access to these medicines in the future?
How to request a travel certificate for medical cannabis
The last thing that any of us want when travelling is extra stress. Everyone should have the freedom to feel safe and secure when travelling, no matter what their medical needs may be. Unfortunately, though, this isn't always seamless for medical cannabis patients.
Westminster Hall debate: Barriers to accessing medical cannabis in the UK
Jim Shannon, MP for Strangford, led Thursday’s Westminster Hall debate, highlighting critical issues in the medical cannabis industry, with the most apparent being the masses of patients that could benefit from these treatments, yet struggle to access them.
World Cancer Day: Personalising care with medical cannabis
Cancer affects the lives of millions of people around the world and everyone’s story is different. As a clinic offering personalised medical cannabis treatment, Releaf is embracing the theme for World Cancer Day on Tuesday 4 February and advocating for patients to be front and centre of their care.
Dignity Action Day: Medical cannabis in care homes and hospitals
As the first of February, today marks Dignity Action Day! On Dignity Action Day, health and social care staff in the UK make an extra effort to raise awareness for more dignified, respectful ways of behaving towards those who use their services. Paying particular attention to those that are vulnerable, Dignity Action Day was originally named ‘Dignity in Care’ and was set up as a fundraising effort back in 2008.
One year of Releaf: Your Health. Your Body. Your Choice
365 days ago, on the 1st of February 2024 Releaf medical cannabis clinic officially launched. Ever since then, lives have been changed on a daily basis - and our patient stories attest to this. To celebrate this milestone, and change many more lives, we’re reducing the price of our initial consultations by £60 - offering appointments with specialist GMC registered clinicians for just £39.99. Simply use the code 1YEAR60 at checkout.
Could cannabis help with neuropathic pain?
Neuropathic pain is a common type of pain that is caused by damage to the nervous system. It can be linked to various sources, including disease and injury; however, sufficient treatment can often be difficult to achieve. As medical cannabis becomes more widely available, a growing number of patients may wonder whether it could be an effective alternative or add-on therapy to conventional treatments for neuropathic pain.
The True Potential of Hemp: What the Future Holds
From the very start of cannabis stigmatisation and prohibition, hemp was unfairly lumped into the same category as 'marijuana,' 'weed,' or even the evocative 'ganja,’
Navigating Releaf's New Patient Dashboard
Last week, we launched our brand new, built-from-the-ground-up Releaf Patient Dashboard. We have invested over £2 million into this bespoke piece of tech, and it's been a long time in the making.
From curiosity to care: Releaf’s reach and online presence.
In December 2024, Releaf’s website attracted 9510 daily visits and nearly 1,000 page views an hour. In this blog we break down the data, and evaluate why thousands trust our reliable content about medical cannabis in the UK.
What is and isn't legal for medical cannabis patients in the UK
Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018, but there is still a lot of confusion and misinformation out there around its regulation and the rights of medical cannabis patients.