Motor neurone disease medical cannabis treatment
Because there is no cure currently available for Motor Neurone Disease, treatments mainly focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life for patients as this devastating condition progresses. MND typically affects a persons' mobility, comfort, stability, and their emotions, and so there are a large option of treatment options available, and conventionally prescribed by the NHS. But recently, medical cannabis has emerged as an alternative option, and it is proving particularly popular because of the multifaceted approach it takes to symptom management.
Contact usDisclaimer: The availability of consultations for Motor Neurone Disease depends on the availability of our specialist doctors. We encourage you to consult with our
patient support team to determine if this treatment option is currently available.1 in 3
1 in 3 patients with MND die within a year of their diagnosis.
5,000
5,000 adults in the UK are fighting MND at the same time.
1 in 5
1 in 5 patients report cannabis use to relieve symptoms in small scale survey.
49%
49% reduction in spasticity was noted using cannabis-based medicines.
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)
Find out if you may be eligible for medical cannabis MND treatments here
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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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A word from our specialist
“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 David Tang
Clinical Director
Find out if you may be eligible for medical cannabis MND treatments here
Am I eligible?Articles on Motor neurone disease
20. 06. 2024
Can medical cannabis benefit symptoms of motor neurone disease (MND)?
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
The pros and cons of medical cannabis
testAfter 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
12. 02. 2024
The price of medical cannabis in the UK: Releaf’s costs explained
When prospective patients start to explore the world of medical cannabis, pricing strategies or how much medical cannabis costs are often at the forefront of their minds. This is completely understandable considering that to establish whether medical cannabis may be the right option for you, you need to know if it's within your budget, and therefore, the price of medical cannabis in the UK.
12. 02. 2024
Can medical cannabis be prescribed to treat MND symptoms in the UK?
Yes. In the UK, medical cannabis can be prescribed to patients with Motor Neurone Disease if they have found traditional treatments or medications to be ineffective at meeting their needs, or managing their symptoms.
Although research into the use of medical cannabis for MND symptom management is still ongoing, anecdotal evidence and patient response surveys indicate cannabis-based treatments can be beneficial additions to patient treatment plans, particularly when managing chronic pain, muscle stiffness, sleep concerns and low mood.
This is because when it’s applied appropriately, medical cannabis can take a multifaceted approach, and influence a number of symptoms or biological responses at the same time, due to it’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system, or ECS, plays a vital role in maintaining balance (or homeostasis) in the body, and in turn, regulates muscle control and pain perception, mood and sleep - amongst other things. Because of the way medical cannabis interacts with the ECS, cannabis-based products can alleviate some of the debilitating symptoms associated with MND, by reducing pain or anxiety, and this in turn can also benefit quality of life.
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, and they tailor each treatment plan to the individual to ensure depending on their most prominent symptoms, and day-to-day responsibilities or activities.
To find out if you’re eligible for medical cannabis MND treatments in the UK, create an account here.