Medical Cannabis for Neurological Conditions
Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK suffer from Neurological conditions. These diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems include epilepsy, MS, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, ALS, Bell’s palsy and ADHD, amongst others. While conventional medicines and treatments are well-tolerated by many, for some these traditional approaches remain ineffective. In these cases, Releaf may be able to help, offering doctor-backed holistic alternatives for complex Neurological conditions.
Am I eligible?
Neurological
Many neurological conditions have no cure and can significantly impact speech, movement, and emotions. Conventional medicines and surgery often come with severe risks and side effects, and the NHS already prescribes cannabis-based treatments to some MS and epilepsy sufferers. However, evidence shows that these alternative treatments can improve the quality of life for people living with a wide range of debilitating neurological disorders.
How Can Cannabis-Based Treatments Help?
CBD’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may promote the health and functioning of brain cells, and reduce symptoms associated with neurological disorders. Cannabis may also have neuroprotective properties which could help protect against nerve cell degradation and damage and reduce muscle stiffness, tremors, and pain. Some patients have reported increased clarity of thought, an elevated mood, and less anxiety due to taking CBD.
70%
Of people with epilepsy could live seizure-free lives if properly treated.
1 in 5
MS patients have used cannabis to manage symptoms.
26%
Of Parkinson’s patients surveyed have used cannabis-based treatments.
49%
Reduction was noted in spasticity after 12 weeks of CBPM use.
Articles on Neurological
05. 07. 2023
A thorough guide to medical cannabis for MS
While cannabis is still classed as a Class B controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, in November 2018, the laws surrounding medicinal cannabis shifted in the UK. After decades of lobbying by patient advocacy organisations, doctors, and scientists, medicinal cannabis was finally made available on prescription for patients suffering from certain conditions, with multiple sclerosis (MS) making it on the list.
05. 07. 2023
Sam North
12. 07. 2023
How cannabis may help ease Parkinson’s disease
Every single hour, two people in the UK are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), the world’s fastest growing neurological condition that currently has no cure. With an estimated 8.5 million people facing this incurable diagnosis across the world, increasing numbers of Parkinson’s patients are turning to medicinal cannabis to help potentially manage tremors and rigidity, relieve the symptoms of anxiety that can go hand in hand with the diagnosis, and improve their sleep quality.
12. 07. 2023
Lucy MacKinnon
14. 07. 2023
A comprehensive guide to cannabidiol and neurological disorders
Neurological disorders. Varied, potentially devastating, and hard to group into one easy-to-digest category. They are essentially diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system conditions and include epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, ALS, Bell's palsy, and a huge range of separate neuromuscular disorders.
14. 07. 2023
Kerry Charron
What our patients say about us
Peter’s story: How medical cannabis helps me manage daily life
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Debs' story: After 40 years of nursing, medical cannabis helps manage MS.
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Scott's story: Sleeping through the night and taking back control
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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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Georgia's story: From misdiagnosis to managing ADHD
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Ollie's story: ADHD solutions for a father of three
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Laura & Harry’s story: How medical cannabis changed Harry's life
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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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You’ll be Supported By an Expert Medical Team
"Medical cannabis can help manage neurological conditions by reducing muscle spasticity and rigidity, pain, and seizures. While licensed CBPMs like Epidyolex for epilepsy and Sativex for multiple sclerosis can be prescribed by the NHS, private medical cannabis clinics like Releaf can prescribe medical cannabis for a wide range of neurological conditions. Medical cannabis offers great flexibility in the delivery of cannabinoid therapy for these conditions and can be used in other areas such as migraine and cluster headaches, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, motor neurone disease, as well as neuropathy and fibromyalgia."
Dr. Michal Modestowicz
Neurology
Common symptoms associated with neurological conditions
Changes in sensation
Difficulty retaining information
Impaired vision or dizziness
Loss of coordination
Loss of feeling or tingling sensation
Memory loss
Mood swings or emotional changes
Muscle weakness
Persistent headaches
Seizures
Speech and language difficulties
Tremors
It's important to note that these symptoms are general and may not be exclusive to any specific neurological condition. Consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plans based on individual needs.