General

General

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

Update on Ukraine: legalising medical cannabis, one by law at a time

Ukraine’s President signed off on Law 3528-IX, also known as The Medical Cannabis Law, back in February. This kickstarted the legalisation of medical cannabis, designed to offer relief to those suffering from conditions like chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the continued war with Russia. Here we take a look at some of the updates and amendments that have been made to accommodate for the legalisation of medical cannabis in Ukraine.

7 min read
16.05.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Pathways to peace: Exploring mindfulness techniques for wellbeing

The practice of mindfulness is as ancient as many of the world’s most followed religions, from Hinduism and Buddhism to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. While it is often connected with Eastern traditions and philosophies, mindfulness techniques have been popular among many populations throughout the world for millennia. So, what is mindfulness? And how could practising mindfulness help improve your wellbeing?

8 min read
15.05.2024
Emily Ledger

Exploring the role of terpenes in medical cannabis treatments

Taking the first steps into the world of medical cannabis can be slightly overwhelming. With so many new terms to get your head around, the learning curve can feel steep. Don't worry, though - here in our continued "New Patient" guide, we've got you covered.

4 min read
14.05.2024
Sam North

Understanding medical cannabis: A guide for Fibromyalgia patients

Fibromyalgia is an incurable chronic pain condition and one that can be pretty complicated to treat. It affects around 2 percent of the UK population, more women than men, and while it does sometimes develop in children, it is more often picked up in middle age.

9 min read
10.05.2024
Sam North

A summary of the statistics: Perceptions and awareness of medical cannabis in the UK

In November 2018, medical cannabis and cannabis-derived medicines were legalised as prescription only medicines in the UK. This means they can now be prescribed by specialist doctors to patients who have a condition that is known to respond to cannabis, if they have been unable to find success with conventional or licensed approaches.

10 min read
03.06.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Ease the Transition: How medical cannabis can help during the menopause

Menopause is a natural process characterised by the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. It is associated with a number of symptoms that can cause significant disruption to everyday life. Yet, despite perimenopause and postmenopause affecting approximately 13 million people in the UK, there remains a distinct lack of awareness and education about menopause, as well as access to effective therapies.

9 min read
07.05.2024
Emily Ledger

What is the difference between medical cannabis and CBD?

CBD is a cannabinoid sourced from cannabis and hemp plants. CBD products that contain less than 1 mg of THC (the psychoactive cannabinoid) per container are legal for over-the-counter sale. Prescribed cannabis-based medicines can contain the same levels of CBD but are legally allowed to contain higher levels of THC.

3 min read
07.05.2024
Sam North

5 common medical cannabis myths and misconceptions debunked

It has now been almost six years since the legalisation of medical cannabis came into effect in the UK, but still, prevalent misconceptions/myths about these treatments options persist today. Because these are often fuelled by stigmatisations or a lack of knowledge on the subject, we think debunking these common medical cannabis misconceptions can play an important role in improving the current education and awareness of cannabis-based options in the UK. And so, that’s exactly what we’ve done!

7 min read
02.05.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Explaining and maintaining homeostasis

The concept of homeostasis defines any self-regulating process by which biological systems maintain stability and balance. This physiological regulation is essential for maintaining a constant internal environment, allowing us to thrive - even in the face of changing external conditions. In this instalment of our Wellness Wednesdays blog, we’ll be taking a look at the importance of homeostasis and exploring natural and holistic ways we can help support our bodies in achieving balance.

9 min read
01.05.2024
Emily Ledger

What is the endocannabinoid system?

Welcome back to our New Patient blog series, where we cover all the basics of cannabis-based therapy. In this instalment, we are running head first into the intricacies of the endocannabinoid system, or ECS.

3 min read
30.04.2024
Sam North

The complexities of medical cannabis clinical trials

Successful clinical trials are paramount in advancing modern medicines and care. They ensure efficacy and safety, raise the profile and awareness of these new treatment options, and ultimately, if their findings are positive, improve access to the therapy being trialled.

9 min read
29.04.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

How medical cannabis may help endometriosis patients

Endometriosis is estimated to affect around 10% of those with a womb between puberty and menopause, but still, effective treatments, and research into the condition itself, are severely lacking. This can, understandably, be extremely frustrating for those affected.

9 min read
25.04.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Medical cannabis and renting: What you need to know

Cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018, opening the door for thousands (if not millions) of patients who could benefit from these diverse medications. Yet, more than five years on, guidance and education on the subject remain limited, particularly when it comes to legal aspects of medical cannabis use, including patient rights when it comes to renting.

10 min read
24.04.2024
Emily Ledger

Is medical cannabis safe?

In today's continuation of our New Patient series, we'll take a quick but deep look at a burning question on the minds of many - "Is medical cannabis safe?" Yes, medical cannabis is safe, but let's dig a little deeper and see what the science has to say.

4 min read
23.04.2024
Sam North

Eco-friendly aspects of the medical cannabis industry

Earth Day (22 April) is an annual celebration of our natural environment — and more important than ever amid the global climate crisis. How can those entering the emerging medical cannabis industry ensure they adopt eco-friendly practices from the off?

9 min read
22.04.2024
Sarah Sinclair

The ins and outs of prescribed cannabis oil

We are living through what can only really be described as a health-care revolution. Cannabis, long seen by the UK 'powers that be' as nothing more than a recreational drug, now has the spotlight squarely aimed at its medicinal and therapeutic properties.

13 min read
19.04.2024
Sam North

10 top tips for the first month of medical cannabis

We know that starting a new healthcare treatment plan, especially one that has only recently been made available, can feel daunting. When patients first consider trying medical cannabis, many aren’t quite sure of what to expect or know who to turn to for answers to their questions.

14 min read
18.04.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

An insight into Ayurveda

The world of medicine has evolved beyond all recognition over the last two centuries, with the widespread rollout of vaccines, the development of countless pharmaceuticals, and a more detailed understanding of the body and the forces that affect it. Yet, as more people seek an alternative approach to their health, traditional therapeutic techniques are once again becoming more popular, including ancient practices like Ayurvedic medicine.

11 min read
17.04.2024
Emily Ledger

What is the difference between THC and CBD?

Next up in our new patient series, we are going to take a brief but in-depth look at how the cannabinoids that dominate the cannabis-based medicine scene, THC and CBD, differ from one another, and how they can also work in harmony to provide relief for a range of medical conditions.

8 min read
16.04.2024
Sam North

Will medical cannabis get me 'high'?

Next up in our "New Patients" series, we explore the very first question that pops into almost all prospective patients' minds - "Will cannabis-based treatment options get me ‘high’?"

3 min read
09.04.2024
Sam North