1 in 323
people in the UK are estimated to be living with Crohn’s disease.
73 of 76
Releaf patients receiving care for a gastroenterological condition, including Crohn’s disease, reported their prescription was effective for general symptom control in our 2025 patient survey
68.7%
of people with Crohn’s reported chronic abdominal pain in a recent clinical study.
92.2%
730 of 792 of the chronic pain respondents in our 2025 survey reported their Releaf prescription was effective in controlling their pain.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain or cramping
Chronic diarrhoea
Fatigue
Fever
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Mouth ulcers
Rectal bleeding
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
When a person is diagnosed with Crohn’s, changes to diet are often encouraged, frequently combined with pharmaceutical treatments such as steroid medications like prednisolone, or immunosuppressants like azathioprine. There are other biological medicines like Adalimumab used to treat Crohn’s, and in extreme cases, surgery may be recommended.
Adalimumab
Azathioprine
Infliximab
Methotrexate
Prednisolone
Risankizumab
Ustekinumab
Whether you’re new to cannabis-based medicines, switching from another medical cannabis clinic, or self-medicating, we’ll put you back in control of your health.
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“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 Sue Clenton
Medical Director
07. 01. 2025
Crohn's disease is an autoimmune condition that can have a significant impact on your quality of life. It is characterised by inflammation of the digestive tract, which can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss and fatigue. While there is no known cure for Crohn's disease, patients have a range of treatment options available to them here in the UK, with medical cannabis being one of them.
07. 01. 2025
28. 07. 2023
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.
28. 07. 2023
19. 08. 2024
Conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract - often called gastroenterological conditions - can greatly affect an individual’s health and quality of life. Yet, despite being relatively common in the Western population, effective management of these conditions and their symptoms is often elusive. However, in recent years, emerging evidence has indicated that medical cannabis may have a role to play in reducing the burden of some of the most common gastroenterological conditions.
19. 08. 2024
Yes, medical cannabis may help some UK patients deal with the symptoms brought on by Crohn’s disease. It is not a first-line treatment option, but for patients who have found that standard care options have not controlled their Crohn’s disease symptoms to the degree they need, or are struggling with side effects, medical cannabis may be an effective next step.
The specialist running your Releaf initial consultation will review your current symptom load, full medical history and your current treatment plan before any decision is made regarding whether a medical cannabis prescription may be appropriate as part of your wider Crohn’s care. Any decision should be made alongside treatment from your IBD team.
Crohn’s disease is an immune-mediated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), although it is often described as an autoimmune disease. Diagnosis of Crohn’s often comes a little later in life; nevertheless, childhood cases are also possible. It can affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus, but most commonly affects the small bowel and colon.
Ulcerative colitis is another form of inflammatory bowel disease, but one that only affects the large bowel and rectum. Crohn’s can cause patchy inflammation that extends deeper into the bowel wall, while UC causes inflammation in the inner lining of the colon.
Some Crohn's symptoms, including chronic abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and bloating, can overlap with irritable bowel syndrome. That said, IBS does not cause the intestinal inflammation associated with Crohn's disease.
All three conditions can cause inflammatory symptoms including pain in the abdomen, diarrhoea, fatigue, and weight loss, but only Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis cause intestinal inflammation. Weight loss can also occur with IBD, while the pattern of inflammation, possible complications, and the appropriate treatments differ between Crohn’s disease, UC, and IBS.
Medical cannabis has been shown to help some patients with Crohn's disease manage some of the major and secondary symptoms related to the condition. Some of these symptoms can persist even when Crohn's disease is well managed through conventional treatment options. Certain traditional approaches also cause quite heavy side effects, which medical cannabis may help to relieve.
These include:
Reduced appetite
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Bowel urgency
Diarrhoea
Joint and muscle pain
Low mood, anxiety, or depression related to living with a chronic long-term health condition
The endocannabinoid system plays a role in regulating a wide range of bodily functions and processes. From pain and sleep to nausea and pain, and even gut function and overall inflammation, both THC and CBD can offer certain patients positive therapeutic outcomes when prescribed responsibly and clinically overseen.
A 2021 randomised trial of 56 participants with Crohn's disease found that CBD-rich medical cannabis oil improved symptom scores and their general quality of life over a two-month period.
A 2026 systematic review of four previous randomised trials found mixed outcomes for pain and quality of life, but generally positive results for bloating and appetite, as well as daily function and general well-being
In Releaf’s 2025 chronic pain survey, the largest survey of active medical cannabis patients in the UK, 792 of the 1,669 respondents reported they were being treated for chronic pain issues. 730 of that group, or 92.2%, stated that their Releaf medical cannabis was moderately, very, or extremely effective for managing their pain.
76 of the 1,669 participants in the same survey reported taking medical cannabis for a gastroenterological disease. 73 of this group, including patients being treated for Crohn's disease, reported their prescription as generally effective for symptom control.
There is not enough current clinical evidence to make a concrete claim around cannabis’ potential ability to reduce inflammation specifically for Crohn's disease. While it won't cure Crohn's or reduce total symptom impact for all patients, THC and CBD have been shown to interact with pathways involved in general inflammation.
Medical cannabis can still be legally prescribed to eligible Crohn's patients in the UK, but it should not replace conventional treatment options, including steroids, immunosuppressants, biologics or other treatments that your current IBD care team have prescribed to you.
To learn more, head to Exploring the potential benefits of CBD for IBD
THC and CBD are the two major cannabinoids produced by cannabis plants and the two most commonly discussed in medical cannabis treatment for Crohn's disease. While both are cannabis produced compounds, they interact with the body in quite unique ways.
THC is more often prescribed where symptoms such as pain, nausea poor sleep, or reduced appetite are the driving issues. As THC strongly interacts with our CB1 receptors, it can cause intoxication at certain dosages.
CBD is a non-intoxicating compound that is often included in prescribed formulations, although its role in Crohn's symptom management remains less clear. We know from non-Crohn’s disease specific research that CBD reduces the enzymatic breakdown of our body-produced cannabinoids, along with a weak binding with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Both THC and CBD also interact with a range of other receptor systems.
Cannabis-based treatment options should never be regarded as direct replacements for more traditional approaches. Steroids, immunosuppressants, and biologics are often prescribed to reduce the impact of Crohn’s symptoms, the severity of flare-ups, and help prevent further complications.
Where appropriate, a medical cannabis prescription may fit in alongside your existing care to help manage symptoms. Medical cannabis is not a one-size-fits-all approach and will not be suitable for every single Crohn's disease patient. Neither is it a first-line treatment option.
To be potentially eligible, you must have already tried at least two conventional treatment approaches that either did not control the symptoms or brought heavy side effects before a medical cannabis prescription can be considered.
Like all prescribed medication, medical cannabis does come with certain risks and side effects. It can interact with certain prescribed pharmaceuticals, including blood thinners and medicines that affect the central nervous system, so it's important your prescribing specialist has access to your full medical and treatment history.
It can also cause certain side effects, including tiredness, dizziness, dry mouth, changes in concentration, anxiety, and red eyes. That said, Most patients find that these side effects are mild and well managed after discussions with their prescribing clinician, and changes to their treatment options or dose.
Smoking is not a prescribed route, and smoking tobacco is associated with worse Crohn’s outcomes. It is associated with a higher risk of flare-ups and complications. If a prescription is deemed to be appropriate for your health needs, your Releaf prescribing specialist will discuss all suitable formats and how to take them.
Yes. Medical cannabis has been a legal treatment option in the UK since November 2018. It can be prescribed to patients with Crohn's disease, but again, it will not be suitable for all patients.
If you have Crohn’s disease and your symptoms continue to affect your daily life despite standard care options, you may be potentially eligible for a UK medical cannabis prescription. To find out more, head straight to our fast and free medical cannabis eligibility checker. It takes all of 20 seconds to complete, and you will leave with a much clearer picture of your potential eligibility for a UK medical cannabis prescription.
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