Research
Explore the latest findings in medical cannabis research, from clinical trials and scientific studies to emerging trends and expert analysis.
Men’s Health Month 2025: what the UK’s largest cannabis study reveals about men’s health
This Men’s Health Month, Releaf's study of active UK medical cannabis patients (the largest to date) shows how men are using treatment to improve their quality of life, reduce chronic pain, support their mental and general wellbeing, and move beyond outdated stigma. The data reflects a wider shift toward openness, ownership, and long-term health management among men seeking more stable and effective support.
Decoding Cannabis: First placebo-controlled study of cannabis for migraine (THC/CBD)
The first randomised controlled trial of cannabis for migraine compared THC, CBD, THC with CBD, and placebo. Results showed that THC and CBD combined offered the strongest benefits, while THC alone provided partial relief and CBD alone had a limited effect. We explain the findings, what they mean for patients, safety considerations, and how this all affects medical cannabis access in the UK.
Decoding Cannabis: Recent study on THC oil for Alzheimer’s agitation and sleep
Recent research suggests that THC-dominant cannabis oil affects core Alzheimer’s symptoms like agitation, appetite loss, cognitive function and sleep. We decode the study and explain what it means for families navigating dementia care in the UK.
Decoding Cannabis: THC, CBD, and the search for better MS symptom control with medical cannabis
Medical cannabis is emerging as a potential treatment for multiple sclerosis symptoms like pain, spasticity, poor sleep, and fatigue. In this blog, we focus on a recent study from the United States examining how cannabinoids may support MS symptom management. We also break down how UK patients can legally access treatment and what a personalised Releaf prescription typically looks like.
When patients turn to medical cannabis: Insights from Releaf’s data
From lunchtime sign-ups to end-of-month prescriptions, our latest data analysis reveals when and why patients choose medical cannabis with Releaf.
Decoding Cannabis: Is medical cannabis effective for period pain?
Can cannabis really help with period pain? We break down a 2022 review exploring THC, CBD, and the science behind medical cannabis for menstrual cramps.
Decoding Cannabis: Can CBD oil with THC help you sleep better?
A new gold-standard study found that a balanced CBD:THC oil may help people with chronic insomnia sleep longer, feel more rested, and function better the next day. With clear improvements in sleep quality, melatonin production, and morning alertness, the findings offer hope for patients who have tried other natural sleep aids without success.
Decoding Cannabis: Could CBG become the most versatile cannabinoid in medicine?
CBG has been called the mother of all cannabinoids, but could it also be the most versatile? This blog explores new findings from a 2024 clinical review, highlighting how CBG may affect brain health, inflammation, infections, cancer, and pain. The research is still early, but the signals are encouraging, and human trials are now on the horizon.
Decoding cannabis: Can THC-rich cannabis ease gut symptoms in fibromyalgia?
A new 2025 study from Italy explored the effects of high-THC medical cannabis oil in fibromyalgia patients with gut symptoms like IBS and chronic indigestion. Over six months, most participants saw meaningful relief from pain, fatigue, bloating, and upper GI discomfort. For some, symptom scores dropped to near-remission levels. Here's what the researchers found, and how to know if THC oil could be right for you.
Decoding Cannabis: Why schizophrenia is a red flag for medical cannabis
New research from Denmark has uncovered a striking connection between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and schizophrenia, with up to 30% of cases in young men potentially linked to heavy, unregulated recreational use. In this blog, we break down what the study found, how it informs Releaf’s prescribing approach, and why safeguarding vulnerable groups is essential to safe and ethical medical cannabis treatment.
Releaf’s medical cannabis survey: Coming soon to an inbox near you
All too often, the conversations that surround medical cannabis are based on assumptions and shaped by those who’ve never used it. When assumptions dominate, misunderstanding follows. Misunderstanding breeds uncertainty, and uncertainty breeds stigma. That’s something we want to change.
Decoding Cannabis: Can cannabis suppress tumour growth?
Can cannabis actually help suppress tumours? From brain and breast cancer to colon and lung models, the lab results are intriguing, but far from conclusive. In this Decoding Cannabis blog, we explore the latest preclinical studies on THC, CBD, and synthetic cannabinoids, compare them with other natural compounds, and share what UK patients battling cancer are prescribed UK medical cannabis for right now.
Decoding Cannabis: THC, CBD, and the search for better MS symptom control with medical cannabis
Medical cannabis is emerging as a potential treatment for multiple sclerosis symptoms like pain, spasticity, poor sleep, and fatigue. In this blog, we focus on a recent study from the United States examining how cannabinoids may support MS symptom management. We also break down how UK patients can legally access treatment and what a personalised Releaf prescription typically looks like.
Decoding Cannabis: Can cannabinoids help with gut and digestive health?
The gut does far more than digest. It's a second brain of sorts, wired with nerves, hormones, and immune cells, all working in sync with the microbiome. This blog focuses on new research and explores how cannabinoids interact with that system, drawing from one of the most comprehensive clinical reviews to date, along with real experiences from Releaf patients living with chronic GI conditions.
Decoding Cannabis: Is there hope for sleep apnoea beyond the CPAP mask?
Sleep apnoea doesn’t just disrupt breathing, it wrecks rest, energy, and wellbeing. A large US study found that medical cannabis helped many patients manage fatigue and improve sleep quality. In the UK, Releaf offers structured, specialist-guided access to the same kinds of treatments. If CPAP isn’t working, this could be a clinically supported option worth exploring.
From Stigma to Solution: New research into UK medical cannabis
New research reveals how much the UK public really knows — and doesn’t know — about medical cannabis. From access confusion to growing support among older adults, we unpack Wellford’s findings and how Releaf is working to close the gap between interest, education, and safe access.
Decoding Cannabis: Can CBD, CBG and CBN help block chronic pain at the source?
A new preclinical study explores whether cannabinoids like CBD, CBG and CBN can directly reduce chronic pain by targeting the sodium channel Nav1.8. The findings suggest these non-psychoactive compounds may help slow pain signalling at its source. In this edition of Decoding Cannabis, we break down what the study found, what it means for patients, and how Releaf is helping lead the change.
Decoding Cannabis: Can cannabinoids help you sleep better?
Struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep? You’re not alone, and sleeping pills aren’t always the answer. In this edition of Decoding Cannabis, we explore what the latest research says about using medical cannabis and CBD for better rest. From chronic insomnia to PTSD and anxiety, here’s how cannabinoids may support deeper, more natural sleep without the next-day fog.
Decoding Cannabis: How medical cannabis (THC and CBD) helps manage neurological conditions
A major 2023 clinical review has brought new clarity to how cannabis medicines are being used in neurological care. This blog unpacks the evidence across epilepsy, MS, Parkinson’s, Tourette’s, and more, and explains how private UK clinics like Releaf are helping patients access personalised treatment when other options have fallen short.
Decoding Cannabis: can medical cannabis improve quality of life during cancer treatment?
In this week's Decoding Cannabis article, we unpack a recent expert review exploring how medical cannabis may ease cancer treatment side effects. The study highlights its potential to relieve pain, nausea, anxiety, and more, offering support where conventional care sometimes comes up short.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Decoding Cannabis: Introducing our new series on medical cannabis research
Each and every week, our new ‘Decoding Cannabis’ series will take a recent piece of medical cannabis research - be it a clinical trial, observational study, registry report, etc. - and unpack it in a way that’s relevant and easily understandable to UK medical cannabis patients.
Statistic series: Is UK medical cannabis a cash crop?
To help get a deeper understanding of the cannabis industry, we’ve decided to uncover and unravel some of the key statistics that shape the cannabis industry in the UK. In this piece, we will explore cannabis as a ‘cash crop’ by identifying its economic impact on the UK, and analysing these figures in the political and social landscapes that shape the United Kingdom today.
Research into attitudes towards medicinal cannabis in the UK: June 2023
Explore Releaf's landmark study on the UK's medicinal cannabis landscape, revealing treatment potential, legality, public interest, and the need for education.