Medical cannabis as complementary therapy: A holistic approach to care

While first line treatments address condition specific symptoms for many of our patients at Releaf, medical cannabis is frequently used as a complimentary therapy to ease the anxiety and stress, or improve poor sleep that often accompany chronic or complex illnesses. 

We know first hand how much of a difference the right treatment can make, and despite the law being changed six years ago - so many are still unaware medical cannabis is available in the UK.

So naturally, National Complementary Therapy Week feels like the perfect time to give a recap on how medical cannabis can work as a complimentary therapy, and outline Releaf’s holistic approach to care.

So, what is a complementary therapy?

In the simplest of terms, a complementary therapy is one that falls outside the conventional, or mainstream, practice of healthcare, i.e. it’s not something typically available on the NHS. 

While there isn’t a universally agreed upon definition of complementary therapies, common examples include meditation, acupuncture, and aromatherapy, and they’re practices that individuals typically pay for privately with the goal of improving their mental or physical wellbeing. 

Some call these alternative therapies or practices, but for the sake of this blog it’s important to clarify: complementary, or adjunctive, therapies are those that are used alongside conventional medicines, as opposed to in the place of mainstream treatments (which is how others define alternative treatments).

Can medical cannabis be used as a complementary therapy?

Yes, medical cannabis can be prescribed as a complementary treatment. 

In the UK, medical cannabis is never prescribed as a first-line treatment, and while in some circumstances medical cannabis is the only treatment people take, most often, it’s used as a complementary, or adjunctive, treatment alongside other medications or therapies. 

For example, most of the women being treated at Releaf for menopausal pain, or sleep related concerns, are taking HRT to address the hormonal imbalance menopause causes, while medical cannabis acts as complimentary addition to their care plan, to provide more holistic support. 

How does medical cannabis work as a complementary treatment?

There is an extensive list of conditions that may be suitable for cannabis-based treatments, from chronic pain and women’s health conditions, to neurological, gastroenterological, and psychiatric disorders, and they all have one thing in common: they’re all linked to the endocannabinoid system (ECS). 

So, to understand how medical cannabis works, firstly, we have to explain the ECS. But, don’t worry, we’ll keep it brief! 

The endocannabinoid system

As the largest system of receptors in the human body, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining balance (or homeostasis) and so its receptors span the entire body, from your head to your feet. 

Scientists now generally believe it’s responsible for regulating mood and sleep, pain, inflammatory, and immune responses, as well as interacting with temperature, memory, appetite, and digestion processes.

But, ‘how does it work’, or, ‘what does it actually do?’ you may be asking. 

Well, say for example you stub your toe, you're likely to feel a sharp pain that hurts for a few minutes, but then it seems to subside. While you’re in pain, the body is ‘out of balance’, and the endocannabinoid system jumps into action: the pain you feel triggers a biological response, and anandamide is produced. 

Anandamide is an endocannabinoid, and it travels through the endocannabinoid system to activate the relevant cannabinoid receptors. The receptor in turn sends a signal to essentially turn down the pain dial, or reduce the perception of pain, so that the pain isn’t as bad. 

But, for those with chronic or complex health conditions, the body is often persistently out of balance, or lacking homeostasis because of their symptoms, or because of side effects they’re encountering from their treatments or medication. 

And, that’s where medical cannabis may come in handy as a complimentary treatment for some. 

How medical cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system

Evidence now shows that when CBD enters the bloodstream it has the ability to boost the body’s natural production of endocannabinoids, meanwhile, it’s thought THC directly interacts with endocannabinoid receptors to influence the responses they typically issue. 

Because of their interaction with the ECS, these compounds can be formulated into medical cannabis oil, and specific cannabis cultivars can be bred to contain particular concentrations, to treat different conditions, and manage different symptoms. 

What conditions can medical cannabis be prescribed for (UK)?

In the UK, medical cannabis can be prescribed by specialist doctors registered by the GMC to suitable patients if they have not responded to conventional treatments for the following conditions: 

• Anorexia
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Autism 
• Cancer 
• Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
• Chronic pain
• Chronic Inflammation
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Colitis
• Crohn's disease 
• Depression
• Diverticulitis 
• Dystonia 
• Epilepsy / Seizure management 
• Fibromyalgia 
• Frozen Shoulder 
• Gout
• Migraines
• Menopause 
• Neuropathic pain 
• Neuropathies 
• Palliative care
• Parkinson's 
• Polymyalgia 
• Rheumatica 
• PTSD 
• Rheumatoid arthritis 
• Sleep disorders 
• Spasticity
• Tremors

What considerations need to be taken when considering a complimentary therapy or medical cannabis?

Of course, as with any medication - it’s important to rule out any potential contraindications before treatment starts, and this is why medical cannabis clinics require a patient's medical records in order to triage effectively. 

When a patient signs up to Releaf, they fill out an eligibility check and health questionnaire, as well as submitting their health records to ensure our doctors have all the information they need. Once their diagnosis and treatment history has been reviewed and their current treatment or medication plan has been evaluated, patients are invited to an initial consultation to discuss how medical cannabis may be able to fit into their existing care plan, for further holistic support. 

To ensure there are no side effects or disruptive drug interactions when a patient starts medical cannabis they are typically prescribed very low doses, and this is then steadily and gradually built up if needed until they receive adequate effects, but do not encounter any unpleasant side effects or adverse reactions. 

This is why follow-up appointments are so important, because they allow for efficacy monitoring and progress evaluation at regular intervals, ensuring any adjustments that are needed can be actioned in a timely manner.

How can I find out if I can receive medical cannabis as a complementary therapy?

To find out if medical cannabis flower, or prescribed cannabis oil treatments at Releaf may be suitable for you, head over to our fast and free eligibility checker to find out more. This online tool can give an indication of whether you may be able to benefit from these options in a matter of minutes, which is later confirmed after our clinical team has fully reviewed your medical records. 

Or, if you’d like to do some more research before considering cannabis-based treatments, head over to our education section or blog to learn more.