Medical Cannabis for Gastroenterological Conditions

Medical Cannabis for Gastroenterological Conditions

Your digestive and gut health can have a profound effect on the quality of your daily life health. Evidence suggests that cannabis-based treatments could help the symptoms of IBS, fibromyalgia, and gut disorders like Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Available in the UK since 2018 on prescription from specialist doctors like those that work for Releaf, cannabis-based treatment plans can be carefully curated to the individual, to ensure their unique needs are met.

Am I eligible?

Gastroenterological

Inflammatory digestive disorders are on the rise in the UK, with up to 70% of IBS patients suffering regularly from moderate to severe abdominal pain. Gastro conditions can be difficult to manage and the nature of the symptoms causes discomfort, disruption, and emotional distress. When dietary and lifestyle changes and traditional anti-inflammatories and steroids are not enough, cannabis-based treatments could be life-changing.

How Can Cannabis-Based Treatments Help?

Medical cannabis is a rich source of cannabinoids and some of the most potentially beneficial cannabinoids occur in the gut. Cannabinoids, most notably CBD, have been shown to offer anti-inflammatory properties that may play a role in maintaining gut health and digestive function. Gastrointestinal conditions can be triggered or worsened by chronic stress and anxiety. Both CBD and THC have been linked to reducing stress and having a calming effect on the mind.

12%

Of Brits are affected by inflammatory bowel syndrome.

10 million

People worldwide could live with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

90%

Of those surveyed said IBD symptoms improved with CBPMs.

<3/4

of respondents said medical cannabis IBD treatments improved abdominal cramping.

Articles on Gastroenterological

29. 08. 2023

Understanding the link between cannabinoids and the digestive tract

The cannabis sativa L. plant is one of the most versatile, and potentially therapeutically beneficial types of flora to ever grace this pale blue dot we call home. It is one of the fastest-growing plants, takes less water to cultivate than the vast majority of other crops, and has a wide range of applications due to not only the presence of cannabinoids, but also its true variability in terms of the production of textiles, paper products, and food items.

13. 07. 2023

How effective is cannabis for ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a persistent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterised by inflammation in the inner lining of the colon and rectum. This chronic condition has a diverse range of symptoms. These include diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain and general discomfort. The severity of these symptoms can fluctuate significantly. 

28. 07. 2023

What you need to know about cannabis and Crohn’s disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss and fatigue. The condition can be difficult to manage, and traditional treatment methods may not always be effective. This has led some people to explore alternative, complementary therapies, such as medical cannabis.

What our patients say about us

  • Omar's story: how treating both mind and body led to IBS solutions

    Omar, 31, is a theatre director who, for years, has battled chronic pain and discomfort due to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. His story is an important one, because it highlights the difference between the holistic approach to healing that Releaf provides, and the conventional one that focuses on physical symptoms. Read more

    Condition Gastroenterological

    Subscriber 6 months

  • Music and medical cannabis: Regaining control after years of pain and anxiety

    I've actually been on this journey since about 12 years old, when I first started getting my period. From my very first period, I experienced more than normal levels of pain, and I was bleeding throughout the month. Read more

    Condition Gastroenterological

    Subscriber 9 months

  • Chaos’s Story: From Fibromyalgia Pain to Relief with Medical Cannabis

    For years, Chaos has lived with the debilitating effects of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. Fibromyalgia is only just starting to be properly recognised in the conventional medical community, even though it affects millions of people worldwide. Read more

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    Subscriber 6 months

  • Maxim’s Story: A Path Through Chronic Pain

    I’m Maxim, a 20-year-old from Haywards Heath, with a passion for sales. I’d say I’m a pretty outgoing, yet, ordinary person. I’m enthusiastic about work, and I love to be sociable and meet up with my friends or go out with my girlfriend, like most twenty-something's do. Read more

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  • Hannah’s story: From pharmaceutical panic to plant-based positivity

    At Releaf, we recognise just how much courage it takes to break free from social and societal norms and begin to advocate for your own healing. Read more

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  • Ethan’s story: Reclaiming mobility after a work-related back injury

    Ethan was an active hiker and mountain biker before a back injury robbed him of his mobility, making it hard for him to move around his home and perform simple, everyday tasks—let alone walk the trails of the Scottish Highlands. Read more

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  • Elisei's story: A father turns to medical cannabis to heal from a work-related injury

    Have you ever been forced to work through an injury? To just grin and bear it? This is a decision that thousands of people in the UK face every day. For so many of our patients suffering with chronic pain, taking months off work to heal from work injuries was never a realistic option. Read more

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  • Mary’s story: Living life to the fullest in her golden years

    As more mainstream research shows the benefits of medical cannabis in treating chronic illness, the surrounding stigma in the UK is steadily declining. At Releaf, we’re seeing an increasingly diverse range of people of different ages, religions and ethnicities come through our doors looking for holistic solutions for chronic health issues. Read more

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  • Jackie’s Story: Persistence Through Pain and the Power of Medical Cannabis

    Jacqueline's health journey has been one of setbacks, surgeries, and ongoing struggles with arthritis and chronic pain, both of which contributed to mental health challenges. Read more

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  • Georgia's Story: From Misdiagnosis to Managing ADHD

    Misdiagnosed with anxiety and depression in her early teens, Georgia spent years on medications that she never felt quite addressed the root of her struggles. Read more

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    Subscriber 9 months

  • Peter's Story: Opioids vs. medical cannabis for chronic pain — A paradigm shift

    Like so many people in the UK looking for alternative treatments for chronic nerve pain, Peter wasn’t aware that medical cannabis had been available in the UK on prescription since 2018. For years, he suffered with trigeminal neuralgia, an excruciating nerve condition, until a chance encounter that led him to Releaf’s doors, where he connected with doctors who understood the complexity of his condition. Read more

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  • Thomas’ Story: Allowing himself the space to relax through the fog of anxiety

    Most of us love nothing more than a bit of rest and relaxation. That feeling of letting everything go, and just being in the moment. But for 36-year-old Thomas, finding the mental space to relax can be a bit of an issue. Read more

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  • Coming into Focus: How a retired filmmaker found relief for his chronic pain without the use of opioids

    The growing evidence of medical cannabis’ effectiveness in treating chronic pain is slowly reshaping how we approach health and wellness. However, many GPs in the UK are still quick to prescribe addictive medications like opioids and benzodiazepines before looking at safe, alternative solutions like medical cannabis. Read more

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  • Into the Woods: Ryan’s story of pain and perseverance

    Ryan’s passion is the outdoors, and there’s nothing he loves more than a long hike through the forest with his trusty dog. For years, Ryan’s pain disconnected him from the natural world. Now, his recent treatment with medical cannabis is finally offering hope. Read more

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  • Rhona's story: From chronic pain to finding strength for gardening and living

    Rhona's story is one of resilience and determination. After years of battling through chronic pain and sleeping issues without being able to find a real diagnosis, Rhona was coming to the end of her rope. Read more

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  • Ollie's story: ADHD solutions for a father of three

    Ollie is a 38-year-old father of three whose diagnosis with ADHD came only a year ago, sparking a profound reflection on the coping mechanisms he had adopted throughout his youth—most notably, his battle with alcoholism that led to a life-altering arrest for drink-driving at the age of 25 Read more

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  • Matt's Story: From curly kale to medical cannabis, how Michelin star chef Matt manages his MS

    As humans, we like to learn from others because we feel inspired by them, because there is strength in numbers, and that’s something we’re naturally comforted by. And, at Releaf, sharing patient voices and their experiences with medical cannabis is something we’re committed to, for exactly these reasons. We want to champion our patient’s voices to diversity the conversation, covering all sorts of health conditions treatable with medical cannabis, by speaking to patients one on one about how their health, life, and overall wellbeing, has changed since becoming a Releaf patient. Read more

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  • Eric’s story: Ending a 13-year battle with insomnia with medical cannabis

    After a car accident triggered his Restless Leg Syndrome, Eric was trapped in a cycle of insomnia, fatigue, and frustration that affected every aspect of his life. Read more

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  • Matt’s story: Healing the mind and body after a life-changing plane crash

    After a catastrophic plane crash shattered his shoulder, Matt’s entire life changed. Read more

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  • Jean’s Story: A life of purpose and service while living with MS

    Jean’s story is one of quiet resilience, a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to adapt and thrive even amidst life’s unavoidable struggles. Read more

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  • Martin's story: Embracing medical cannabis to manage chronic pain

    Living a healthy, active lifestyle has always been a top priority for the dad of four and full-time illustrator and printmaker, Martin. But due to the chronic pain from Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) and spinal arthritis, each day is a balancing act between managing his symptoms, pursuing his creative work, and getting all the other day to day stuff done. Read more

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  • Lauren’s Story: Freedom from anxiety and arrest

    For far too many patients in the UK, finding legal treatment options that are effective and without the burden of heavy side effects can be difficult. To add to the struggle, navigating the complex healthcare and legal systems can often leave patients feeling lost and alone. Read more

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  • Maruis’s Story: Stability and Relief with Medical Cannabis Treatment

    Maruis’s story is one of trauma, struggle, and resilience in the face of seemingly relentless health challenges. Diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and depression, along with osteoarthritis, he faced exhausting day-to-day battles, such as bouts of vivid night terrors and debilitating, life-limiting side effects from an exhaustive list of prescription drugs. Read more

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  • Josh’s story: Fighting back after a surgery gone wrong

    Having your health taken away from you, through no fault of your own, is terrible - especially for someone so used to being extremely active. Read more

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  • Laura & Harry’s story: How medical cannabis changed Harry's life

    For mum Laura, helping her son Harry through a number of health challenges has been a journey filled with ups and downs. Finding the correct diagnoses was a long and frustrating process, as has been managing Harry’s ongoing medical needs. Read more

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  • Educating through experience: How Hollie uses medical cannabis to manage her chronic pain

    One of our primary goals at Releaf is to remove the stigma associated with medicinal cannabis, and that’s why Hollie’s story is so important. Read more

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  • James’ Story: Sleep Solutions - journeying back to calm and clarity

    At Releaf, we are dedicated to providing safe, effective treatments that enhance the quality of life for those navigating chronic health conditions. James’ story is an important one, because it draws attention to one of the most common and debilitating conditions faced by many of our patients: severe, chronic insomnia. Read more

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  • Helen’s Story: Parenting, Police, and a Patient's Rights

    Diagnosed with a range of conditions, including fibromyalgia, agoraphobia, and PTSD, Helen faced daily barriers that made even simple tasks daunting. Traditional medications only seemed to exacerbate her struggles, leaving her in a cycle of discomfort that made her unable to engage with the most important thing in her life: her family. Read more

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  • For my kids: A proud dad’s battle against anxiety

    Daryl is a young dad who suffers from anxiety and depression. For his kids, he knew he had to find a solution. After conventional medicines only made things worse, Daryl reached out to our clinicians at Releaf and began his journey with medical cannabis. Read more

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  • Daisy’s Story: Prejudice, professionalism, and PTSD

    As human beings, it's part of our intrinsic, instinctual nature to learn from those around us, and to use the experiences others have had to help guide or inform our own. And in the world of medical cannabis, this is no different. Read more

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  • Brandon's Comeback: influencer boxing and his fight against chronic anxiety

    Brandon is a 27-year-old who has faced the challenges of anxiety, autism, Asperger's syndrome, and ADHD throughout his life. For many years, he felt isolated, and his conditions often prevented him from engaging in social circles and made him a target for bullying. Read more

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  • Ben’s story: Freedom from pharmaceuticals with medical cannabis

    Ben had been battling anxiety and depression for nearly two decades when, seven years ago, he was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Despite years of being prescribed pharmaceutical treatment options like SSRIs and opioids, he still felt weighed down by their side effects. Read more

    Condition Psychiatric

    Subscriber 4 months

  • You’ll be Supported By an Expert Medical Team

    There is increasing evidence that medical cannabis can reduce the intensity of symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, albeit without altering what the condition looks like under the microscope. Irritable bowel syndrome similarly, although a distinct condition from both Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis, can be calmed down considerably by means of cannabinoid therapy.

    Dr. Tang discussing medical cannabis treatment options in a professional setting
    Dr David Tang

    Clinical Director

    Common gastroenterological symptoms

    Abdominal pain

    Bloating

    Changes to bowel habits

    Difficulty swallowing

    Excessive gas

    Heartburn

    Nausea

    Rectal bleeding

    Unintended weight loss

    Vomiting

    Weakness and fatigue

    It's important to note that these symptoms are general and may not be exclusive to any specific gastroenterological condition. Consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plans based on individual needs.

    Common gastroenterological conditions
    If you’re looking for an alternative to conventional medicine, cannabis-based treatments could be the answer to restore your quality of life. The first step is to find out if you’re eligible.
    Am I eligible?