Chronic Pain
Men's health and medical cannabis: the numbers and the men behind them
Men's health and medical cannabis: the numbers and the men behind them
10 min read
Sam North
Men are statistically less likely to seek out the help of a doctor than women, and even more so when the issues are mental-health related. The cost of that silence is not only quite steep but, in 2026, very well documented.
But that is not always the case. In November 2025, we ran the largest survey of active UK medical cannabis patients ever conducted up until that time, with 1,669 respondents taking part. Around two-thirds of them, 1,118 to be precise, were men.
And while that does not prove that men are slowly becoming more willing to open up about their struggles, or hint at a true cultural shift, it does show that a large number of men are choosing to do something about their health, stay the course, and were willing to share openly about their own results.
For Men’s Health Week 2026, we wanted to share a quick overview of the data we collected and hear from some of those men directly.
Contents
What did the men in our survey tell us?
In our 2025 medical cannabis patient survey, the men who took part reported very meaningful changes:
|
What the men reported |
Result |
|
Improved quality of life |
97.2% |
|
Treatment very or extremely effective (primary condition) |
81.3% |
|
Treatment at least moderately effective (primary condition) |
95.3% |
|
Improved ability to perform daily tasks |
84.6% |
|
Improved ability to work or study |
69.9% |
|
Would suggest medical cannabis to someone with a qualifying condition |
91.1% |
The two most common reasons for these men to pursue a medical cannabis prescription were chronic pain (46.9%) and mental health issues (31.9%). Quite often, the two overlapped.
What the data shows on men's mental health
That 31.9% mental health figure is worth pausing on.
Given how reluctant men have been, historically, to look for a helping hand when their mental health declines, it does stand out that almost a third were being treated for exactly that.
Among that group, 97.5% reported improved quality of life and 83.8% rated their treatment very or extremely effective (which bumped above 90% when moderately effective was included), a sign of what can change when men do reach out and find a treatment options that works for them.
We have broken the wider findings down by age, conditions treated, speed of relief, stigma and more in our 2025 men's health survey analysis.
Four men: Releaf patients, success stories, in their own words
Data is great, but it can only tell us so much. The why, how, and the actual day-to-day differences a Releaf medical cannabis prescription can and does provide come through when we hear from Releaf patients themselves. We have a dedicated Patient Stories section of our website, where we highlight three patients each week.
Here is what three of our male patients shared with us about what life was like before they started treatment with Releaf, what pushed them to find an alternative treatment option, and how their lives have changed since.
John’s story: A retired physician who chose medical cannabis treatment
John, a retired medical doctor and pharmacist from Leeds, joined Releaf in May 2025 after decades battling depression, anxiety, and sleep issues.
“I really can’t sing the [Releaf] prescriber’s praises highly enough.
It was a truly professional consultation. I have been in my fair share of specialist consultations, on both sides of the desk. It was handled perfectly, exactly how I would have tried to handle it when I was practising - gathering the important information, explaining the situation clearly, and walking you through the process.
The process was so easy. I sent off my medical records, and because I’d taken antidepressants and different tablets in the past, I qualified for it. Within four days, my medication had arrived.
The [difference in quality in my] sleep has been amazing. I’m really enjoying my sleep. And the second thing is much less social anxiety. No, no side effects at all so far. Everything’s gone very well.
I’ve always been someone who wanted to provide useful treatments to people who need them, wherever they come from. That’s been my driving purpose. A lot of what I did professionally involved helping medicines move from prescription-only to over-the-counter so that more people could access them.
I’m totally behind Releaf and the appropriate use of cannabis as just another medical treatment.”
John’s medical cannabis patient story is extremely compelling and worthy of a full read.
John's story
John’s medical cannabis patient story is extremely compelling and worthy of a full read.
Lee's story: Finding evenness through a long mental health battle
It’s been 13 years since Lee received his original diagnosis of ‘low mood’, which is now recognised as clinical depression. After years of prescribed antidepressants and therapy, which provided him a certain level of relief, he heard about medical cannabis and decided to see if it may help him through the persistent periods of metal hardship.
“I was very nervous before the consultation, nervous about sharing my medical records, not sure if this is entirely legitimate, but that first consultation was incredible.
I came out thinking it was really supportive, talking about my condition, how it can help, and having that discussion properly with a medical practitioner was kind of life-changing from that point of view.
Taking street weed recreationally it was a pot luck. It was a lucky draw. You didn't know what you were getting, what it had been treated with, or if it had been sprayed with synthetic THC. I really didn't like that. I also didn't like dealing with dodgy people. Using recreationally, I was keen to get away from that.
As soon as I got my first delivery and saw the product, I was very pleased. You can feel the care taken in growing, cultivating, packing, and every aspect of preparing that flower. It was mind-blowing when I opened the lid. In terms of what I had been getting through other means, it's absolutely incomparable.
My next review with my GP, I will be saying I want to reduce and come off these other anti-depressants. They have provided some stability for me, but at times of particular stress, it breaks. That's when I was leaning on cannabis as a support.
My parents both passed away recently, and during that period, I was taking [antidepressants] more regularly. But now I've made this switch to medical cannabis, I think I'm going to be okay, and I'll probably gently drift away from [antidepressants] as I have in the past.
In the meantime, I want to share [my experience with Releaf] with anyone prepared to listen.”
Lee's full medical cannabis patient story is honest, hopeful, and well worth your attention.
Daryl's story: Facing anxiety head-on for his children
Daryl’s story is one that mirrors what so many men in the UK experience. He spent more than a decade getting by without any outside help, but when he did finally reach out for help, he found the conventional options did not work for him. With two young kids and a passion for life, he knew things needed to change
"I work at a university. I've had that job for many years, but I’ve had long periods of absence - long periods where I've had to only do specific work, long periods where I haven't been able to attend physically and have had to work remotely. The anxiety of going out and delivering a presentation to a live audience became terrifying to me.
Then [in 2021] I finally went to see a doctor.
At that point, I had no idea that you could get medical cannabis in the UK. I felt like I had to try some form of pharmaceutical medication. My doctor prescribed me a couple of different medications, and I had terrible reactions to them.
In my first consultation [with Releaf] two months ago, my doctor was absolutely brilliant at explaining the treatment options and what they could do for me. At the time, I thought that CBD and THC were all there was to know about cannabis, but my doctor explained that there is actually a lot more to it.
CBD and THC are only two cannabinoids out of well over 100 others contained in the cannabis plant. Plants that are really low in a certain cannabinoid, but higher in another, can target specific conditions. That was all really informative.
Not being able to sleep has always been a major issue for me. I fall asleep quite easily, but it’s impossible for me to stay asleep. In my first appointment at Releaf, my doctor recommended an oil option, and this really does allow me to sleep deeply for a good six hours. It’s wonderful to sleep for that long without waking up.
Sleeping well has definitely had a positive effect on my moods and how I feel in the mornings. I have a three-year-old and a baby under one, so in the mornings, I need to be alert and attentive. I don't want the kids to see me acting miserable in the morning. I want to make a fun and exciting day for them. If I have a good night's sleep, I feel better, and that makes my kids happier.
As far as my work life, medical cannabis has given me a much better ability to concentrate. Before I started my treatment at Releaf, I was distracted all the time. It was very easy for me to just drift along instead of completing a project. I would jump from task to task, only concentrating on small details and missing the bigger picture. Now, when I start a project, I work exclusively on one task until I can't go any further. Releaf has made it much easier to organise my work day. I've also been able to socialise and go out more.
It’s also worth mentioning that shortly after starting my treatment at Releaf, my dad was diagnosed with cancer, and my mum had a mini stroke. I’m thankful the treatment came along when it did because there are going to be many stressful days ahead, and I need to be at the top of my game. I don't want my kids to know that there is anything wrong. I certainly don't want them to think there's something wrong with me.”
Daryl's medical cannabis patient story is a moving read about a man facing his mental health issues with tenacity and determination for the people he loves, and for himself.
If you, or someone you care about, are battling through a chronic condition and finding that you are not responding in the way you hoped for through traditional approaches, it may be time to find out whether a medical cannabis treatment plan may be the best next step.
If so, head to our medical cannabis eligibility checker. It takes less than 30 seconds to complete, is cost and obligation-free, and is the same first step these 3 men (along with so many others) were glad they took.
Releaf - let’s rethink healthcare
Did you like this article?
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
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Further reading
Decoding Cannabis: Over the limit, but not impaired? What the science shows
The UK (and many other countries) sets its drug-driving THC limit at 2 µg/L of blood, but is that a measure of impairment, or just detection? A 2026 simulator study found frequent cannabis users were no more impaired than non-users 12 to 15 hours after smoking, despite still exceeding that threshold. We decode what the research really shows, and why it is relevant for medical cannabis patients who are worried about getting behind the wheel.
The ripple effect: medical cannabis: another tool to support patients and carers
This Carers Week, we are thinking about all the people across the UK who help care for someone in need. Proper treatment that delivers the best clinical outcomes is often about far more than a single option, but rather a range of choices that fit the patient. For an increasing number of patients in the UK, medical cannabis is another tool that helps, and when it does, the people supporting them can feel the difference too. We surveyed 1,669 Releaf patients, and their answers point to a benefit that reaches beyond the patient alone.
Men's health and medical cannabis: the numbers and the men behind them
We all know the stereotype: men don't discuss their wellbeing, and often struggle to ask for help. This is even more true when it comes to mental health issues. This Men's Health Week, we are flipping it. Drawing on what 1,118 male patients told us about medical cannabis, plus the first-hand stories of four of them, we look at what happens when men stop putting it off and actually do something about how they feel.