How chronic health conditions affect mental health and wellbeing

What is a chronic health condition?

Chronic conditions are defined as illnesses or conditions that are persistent or long-lasting in their effects, or diseases that progress over time. The term “chronic” is typically applied to a condition that persists for over three months. In many cases, these conditions do not have a cure, and treatment often focuses primarily on relieving the associated symptoms. 

It is estimated that there are over 26 million people in the UK living with a chronic health condition, with more than 10 million who have two or more. Some common chronic conditions include cancer, chronic pain, arthritis, high blood pressure, and depression.

Chronic illness and mental health

People with a chronic illness are more likely to experience mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Moreover, research indicates that individuals who have comorbid depression alongside a chronic health condition are more likely to experience more severe symptoms of both illnesses. 

Individuals with chronic health conditions may be more likely to experience social isolation, low self-esteem, discrimination, and stigmatisation. This may lead to an increased likelihood of poor mental health, including stress, anxiety, and depression. Other aspects of living with chronic conditions, such as flare-ups and treatments, may exacerbate these problems. 

Additional treatments may therefore be required to manage mental health symptoms. For example, antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed in the treatment of depression and anxiety. While conventional pharmaceutical products can be effective, they are often associated with a number of undesirable side effects. As a result, many patients may seek relief from alternative treatment options.

Managing comorbid mental health with medical cannabis

In recent years, medical cannabis treatment has become increasingly accessible to patients with a wide range of conditions. It is currently estimated that at least 45,000 patients in the UK have received a medical cannabis prescription. A majority of these patients are being treated for one or more chronic conditions and many may also be seeking a more effective way to manage co-occurring mental health symptoms. 

How does medical cannabis help with mental health?

Cannabis-based medicines could be useful in managing both mental and physical symptoms of a wide range of conditions. This is believed to be due to the interactions between cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) - a receptor system responsible for a number of important functions, including mood, pain signalling, and sleep.

Chronic pain and mental health

It’s estimated that around a third of the UK adult population lives with chronic pain. This can be due to conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain. Research also indicates a high prevalence of mental health issues among patients with chronic pain. Estimates suggest that between 35% and 45% of patients with chronic pain also develop depression. 

Chronic pain is believed to be the most common reason for medical cannabis use. Recent studies indicate that patients using medical cannabis to treat chronic pain may also experience improvements in comorbid mental health symptoms, including anxiety and depression. 

Data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry shows that chronic pain patients with co-morbid anxiety achieved greater improvements in anxiety, sleep, and health-related quality of life following the initiation of medical cannabis treatment. 

Neurological conditions and mental health

According to a recent study, more than three billion people worldwide are living with a neurological condition - described as conditions that affect the central nervous system. Mental health disorders are common comorbidities of neurological conditions that can contribute to a decreased quality of life and increased symptom severity.

Cannabis-based medicines can be prescribed in the UK for epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and many other neurological conditions when conventional therapies are poorly tolerated or have failed to deliver adequate relief. Recent data indicates that medical cannabis therapy is associated with improved quality of life measures, including anxiety and depression scores, in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Cancer and mental health

There are an estimated 365,477 new cases of cancer in the UK every year, with the most common being breast, lung, prostate, and bowel cancers. In addition to the significant physical symptoms of cancer and the side effects associated with some cancer treatments, many patients also experience comorbid mental health conditions. 

Medical cannabis has been recommended by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting; however, evidence suggests that this class of medications may also be beneficial for other areas of cancer support, including the management of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

Patients enrolled in a 2022 study reported decreased levels of anxiety and depression at 6 months following the initiation of medical cannabis treatment. These findings are echoed in anecdotal reports from cancer patients who feel their medical cannabis treatment helps them to better manage their symptoms and side effects of their cancer treatment. 

Take Louise for example - a Releaf patient who takes medical cannabis to manage the side effects of chemotherapy: “The first big change that I noticed was my sleep. It seemed to calm my mind and helped me sleep much better at night. I used to take the antianxiety tablet Lorazepam at night to sleep, and I'm not taking those any more.”

Women’s health and mental health

While certain factors can put individuals at an increased risk of the conditions covered so far, there are a number of medical experiences that are unique to women and people assigned female at birth. These include endometriosis and menopause - both of which can be associated with both physical and psychological symptoms. 

Patients are becoming increasingly interested in the potential of medical cannabis in the treatment of endometriosis. While the majority of patients (42%) report using medical cannabis to primarily treat pelvic pain, many also report benefits to their mental health.

Having experienced pain and anxiety related to endometriosis, Releaf patient Carla was also prescribed a GnRH inhibitor which triggered early menopause. Carla uses both medical cannabis oil and flower to manage her pain and anxiety symptoms:

“Just knowing that I have the oil and flower ready and waiting for me when I do experience the pain helps with the added anxiety, and I also feel like I am fighting against the pain a lot less than before.”

Final thoughts

Poor mental health is unfortunately a common comorbidity of many chronic health conditions. The occurrence of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are often linked to a worsening of other symptoms, including pain. Current evidence suggests that medical cannabis may be beneficial for mental health symptoms, contributing to an improved quality of life in patients with chronic illnesses. For more information on how to get a medical cannabis prescription, complete our eligibility assessment today.