6 a day
6 people are diagnosed with MND in the UK every day.
10-15%
Around 10–15% of cases are inherited (familial MND).
10%
10% of patients die within one year of first symptom onset.
54%
Men are 54% more likely than women to develop MND.
Symptoms
Inappropriate emotional responses.
Issues with speech or communication
Muscle cramps and spasms
Muscle weakness
Pain or discomfort
Stiff joints
Swallowing difficulties
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 motor neurone disease, occupational therapy and physiotherapy are usually recommended to help prolong independence and maintain strength, and Riluzole is routinely prescribed to help slow MND’s progression. Other medicines to relieve pain, muscle stiffness, and improve mood are also commonly used.
Amitriptyline
Baclofen
Carbocisteine
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Quinine
Riluzole
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
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.
Condition Peripheral Neuropathy
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Anxiety & Depression
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Depression
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Chronic Pain
Subscriber 3 years
Condition Restless Legs Syndrome
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Insomnia
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Depression
Subscriber 2 years
Condition CRPS
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Adjunctive Cancer Care
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Subscriber 3 years
Condition Insomnia & Chronic Pain
Subscriber 2 years
Condition ADHD
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Endometriosis
Subscriber 3 years
Condition Chronic Pain
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Low Back Pain
Subscriber 3 years
Condition Arthritis
Subscriber 2 years
Condition ADHD
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Anxiety & ADHD
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Chronic Pain
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Anxiety & Depression
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Chronic Pain
Subscriber 3 years
Condition Endometriosis
Subscriber 2 years
Condition PTSD
Subscriber 3 years
Condition Fibromyalgia
Subscriber 3 years
“Neurological conditions are many and varied in how they can affect us. The more recognised conditions that are treatable with medical cannabis include epilepsy, where CBD mimics the action of the many anti-epileptic drugs; and multiple sclerosis, which the NHS can prescribe Sativex for. Medical Cannabis offers greater flexibility in the delivery of cannabinoid therapy for these conditions and hope in other areas of neurology, such as in the neurodegenerative conditions and the motor disorders.“
Dr Sue Clenton
Medical Director
20. 06. 2024
Right in time for Motor Neuron Disease Day, which is on the 21st of June, we’ve put together this blog to explain the potentials of cannabis-based treatments when managing MND symptoms like pain, low mood, muscle stiffness, and poor sleep.
20. 06. 2024
17. 10. 2023
After decades of lobbying by patient advocates and healthcare professionals, on the 1st of November 2018 here in the UK, medical cannabis became legally available to patients suffering from a huge range of conditions including (but nowhere near limited to) chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, epilepsy, mental health concerns, and cancer treatment-related nausea. But with this new availability comes many questions, and these are necessary for the safe application of medical cannabis. In this article, we'll have a closer look at the pros and cons of taking medical cannabis as a complementary treatment option.
17. 10. 2023
01. 08. 2025
Medical cannabis costs in the UK start from {initialConsultationPrice} for initial consultations, from £7.99 per gram for medical cannabis strains, and £74.99-£79.99 for THC vapes, with Releaf+ membership reducing overall medical cannabis pricing by up to 20%. This guide explains how medical cannabis costs are structured, what affects pricing, and how to assess whether treatment fits within your budget. Other clinics may have different charges for their services.
01. 08. 2025
Medical cannabis for motor neurone disease (MND) has been a subject of interest in the scientific field for decades, as far back as 2001 when an early study (specifically looking at amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – the most common, specific type of MND) queried whether cannabis should be considered in its pharmacological management. This curiosity stemmed from potential properties of cannabis already established, including analgesia, muscle relaxation, bronchodilation, saliva reduction, appetite stimulation, and sleep induction, as well as antioxidative and neuroprotective effects.
Although medical cannabis is not a cure for motor neurone disease, and research is ongoing, studies have continued to highlight ways in which it may be used to help manage certain symptoms of MND – particularly whether cannabis (or specific cannabinoids) might help manage spasticity. Anecdotal evidence and patient response surveys indicate cannabis-based treatments may be beneficial additions to patient treatment plans, especially when managing chronic pain, muscle stiffness, sleep concerns and low mood.
Medical cannabis can be prescribed to help manage the symptoms of MND if you have already tried two first-line treatments, such as Quinine or Baclofen. Both CBD and THC, as well as other minor cannabinoids, may offer therapeutic benefit for MND patients. A study published in 2025 titled ‘Study of the Relationship between Cannabidiol and Motor Neuron Disease’ concluded that CBD, as an additional treatment, could help alleviate motor neuron disease symptoms, such as tight or rigid muscles. Another phase 2 study published in Lancet Neurology found a THC-CBD spray (Nabiximols or Sativex) had a positive effect on spasticity symptoms in patients with motor neuron disease. Larger, longer-term phase 3 trials are now needed to confirm these findings.
Here we explore everything you need to know about medical cannabis for MND, if you are considering it as a treatment option.
Medical cannabis can be prescribed by clinicians at Releaf for MND symptoms in the UK, particularly muscle stiffness, cramps and spasticity. There are a variety of forms available, such as dried flower to vape, cannabis oil (which is available in an equal parts CBD:THC ratio), THC vape and cannabis pastilles (also sometimes referred to as cannabis gummies).
A 2026 study investigating the effectiveness and adverse events of medicinal cannabis for patients with muscle spasticity or spasms found patients with spasticity who were using CBD-only products and balanced CBD:THC products experienced an improvement in sleep disturbance, fatigue, pain interference, and pain intensity. Side effects noted were minor, including dry mouth, drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea.
Although medical cannabis and cannabis-based medicines are rarely prescribed on the NHS, one of the few reasons it can be prescribed is to help manage muscle stiffness and spasms (albeit for people with MS, not MND).
As well as the aforementioned muscle stiffness, cramps and spasticity, medical cannabis may help manage further symptoms of MND including muscle weakness, stiff joints, chronic pain, sleep disturbances and anxiety. Certain cannabis products containing higher levels of minor cannabinoid THCv may also help with appetite loss, although further investigation is needed to establish this potential therapeutic benefit as findings are mixed.
The use of cannabinoids to manage spasticity is a well-researched area, although studies often focus specifically on cannabis-based medicine, nabiximols, which is prescribed on the NHS for the symptoms of MS. Nabiximols (Sativex) – the first cannabis-based medicine to be licensed in the UK - contains equal parts THC and CBD extracted from the cannabis plant. A very recent literature review of 3928 studies (eventually reduced to 27 publications) found that THC:CBD extract demonstrated a significant reduction in spasticity compared with placebo.
Although medical cannabis for MND can be helpful in many ways, it does not slow MND progression, and it is not a cure. There is no evidence to suggest that medical cannabis affects the course of MND - it is to be used for symptom management only.
The exact cause of MND is still unknown for most people, which naturally makes effective treatments harder to find. For around 1 in 10 people, genetic factors may play a role, and the most up to date findings suggest there may be possible lifestyle and environmental factors too, including mechanical or electrical trauma, and exposure to a variety of heavy metals. However, research is ongoing and, in general, the cause remains inconclusive.
CBD and THC are two completely different cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant, and they work in very different ways, albeit both with the endocannabinoid system. THC is psychoactive, while CBD is not.
CBD generally interacts with the body by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down our naturally produced endocannabinoids, leading to higher levels of these in the bloodstream, whereas THC fits like a lock and key into specific endocannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2).
CBD tends to act primarily on the peripheral nervous system and tissues, and CB2 receptors, which mainly influence pain perception, inflammation and gut motility.
THC acts primarily on the brain, central nervous system, spinal cord and organs, targeting CB1 and CB2 receptors. Studies show the main therapeutic uses of THC fall under areas of chronic and neuropathic pain, nausea, muscle spasticity and sleep.
It is possible to buy CBD oil over the counter, whereas medical cannabis in the UK is only legal on prescription. Store-bought CBD oil is a novel food supplement, not a medicine and as a result it adheres to very different regulations.
In the UK, CBD oil must not contain above 1mg THC per container, whereas medical cannabis (and prescribed CBD oil) can contain much higher levels of THC where there is clinical need.
Medical cannabis is best viewed as an adjunct therapy that can be used under close medical supervision alongside riluzole and NHS MND care. Medical cannabis is not a cure for MND, nor can it slow progression, but it may be helpful in managing symptoms.
Cannabis can interact with some medications producing potentially serious side effects, so it’s important that you speak to a clinician about dosage and general guidance. Your Releaf clinician will take you through everything you need to know during your consultation.
Medical cannabis for MND is available in a variety of forms to suit your needs. Medical cannabis may be taken as a dried flower in a vaporiser, an oil, a pre-filled THC vape or cannabis pastilles. It is illegal to smoke medical cannabis.
Although medical cannabis for ALS or MND may be beneficial for many people, it’s not suitable for everyone.
If you have a history of certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or psychosis, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have high blood pressure or heart disease, cannabis may be contraindicated as a treatment. Taking certain medications with cannabis can also lead to serious side effects.
To find out if cannabis is a suitable treatment for you, you can book an online consultation with a Releaf clinician to discuss further.
Getting assessed for a medical cannabis prescription in the UK is very straightforward. Simply fill in the online eligibility form and book your video consultation. Your Releaf clinician will receive your NHS medical records directly to assess safety and eligibility in the first instance.
Releaf’s team of expert doctors are here to help those who have been unable to find adequate relief for these symptoms with the conventional approaches usually involved in MND symptom management. Treatment plans are tailored to the individual depending on the most prominent symptoms, and day-to-day responsibilities or activities.
