Functional neurological disorder medical cannabis treatment
In the UK, traditional treatment approaches for FND typically take a multidisciplinary approach, combining courses of physiotherapy or occupational therapy with pharmaceutical medications to manage symptoms. While these options work for many, for some, this does not provide adequate relief, and these medications can cause unwanted or unpleasant side effects. For these patients with FND, medical cannabis may be an option worth exploring - and it's available in the UK at Releaf.
Am I eligible?50,000
50,000-100,000 people are affected by Functional Neurological Disorder in the United Kingdom.
70%
70% of FND patients experience continuing or deteriorating symptoms after one year.
15%
15% of FND patients have explored cannabis–based options, finds small patient survey.
73%
73% of FND survey respondents say medical cannabis was effective at managing their symptoms.
Symptoms
Chronic pain
Fatigue
Insomnia
Muscle spasms
Seizures
Speech and swallowing difficulties
Tremors
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
There are a number of treatments that may be recommended to those who have been diagnosed with FND to help manage their symptoms and improve quality of life. This often includes a combination of medication and treatments such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy.
Amitriptyline
Duloxetine
Fluoxetine
Mirtazapine
Occupational therapy
Physiotherapy
Risankizumab
Sertraline
Speech and language therapy
Find out if you may be eligible for medical cannabis Functional Neurological Disorder treatments here
Am I eligible?Join our growing community of over 60,000 people
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.
A word from our specialist
"Functional neurological disorders present with neurological symptoms without a clear structural cause. Diagnosis and treatment of these conditions pose a major challenge to both the doctor and the patient. Medicinal cannabis may help by modulating the endocannabinoid system, potentially alleviating symptoms like pain, muscle spasms, and anxiety."
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Dr Michal Modestowicz
Neurology
Find out if you may be eligible for medical cannabis Functional Neurological Disorder treatments here
Am I eligible?Articles on Functional neurological disorder
Can medical cannabis be prescribed to patients in the UK with FND?
Functional Neurological Disorder, also known as FND, is a complex disorder that affects the nervous system, mimicking other neurological disorders and their symptoms, which can often lead to it taking a very long time to diagnose.
While its exact cause is still unknown, FND does present similar symptoms to other neurological disorders including seizures, tremors, muscle spams and pain, and so similar treatments are typically recommended - and in recent years, medical cannabis has emerged as one of these options.
Although research into the relationship between FND and medical cannabis is still ongoing, the anecdotal evidence available so far appears promising. Medical cannabis is made up of thousands of naturally occurring chemicals, but the two most prominent, and heavily researched, are THC and CBD.
Studies show, for people with FND, THC may be a useful component in treatment plans due to its pain-relieving and sedative qualities, and CBD could be of benefit if patients suffer from seizures, stress, or tremors.
Because medical cannabis is a controlled medicine in the UK, its important its applications are overseen by qualified healthcare professionals, and that the patients using these options receive personalised, first-class patient care. To find out if you could be eligible for medical cannabis, and access to Releaf’s services, click here.