200,000
people in the UK are affected by ankylosing spondylitis.
8.5
years is the average time patients wait for a diagnosis for any type of axial spondyloarthritis, the category that includes ankylosing spondylitis.
2.6
is the recorded average drop in pain levels on a 0-10 scale, according to analysis of 2,900 patients with arthritic pain and similar conditions.
47.5%
of 1,669 respondents to the largest survey of active UK medical cannabis patients ever conducted reported being prescribed the medication for chronic pain.
Symptoms
Anxiety and/or depression
Fatigue
Inflamed joints
Pain (especially back pain)
Sleep disruptions
Stiffness
Swelling
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
In the UK, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are typically the first type of treatment prescribed to manage ankylosing spondylitis. For some, these may be paired with conjunctive analgesics and lifestyle adaptions for extra symptom management.
Celecoxib
Codeine
Corticosteroids
Diclofenac
Etoricoxib
Methotrexate
Naproxen
Sulfasalazine
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
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Condition Anxiety & Depression
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Condition Depression
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Condition Chronic Pain
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Condition Endometriosis
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Condition Low Back Pain
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Condition Arthritis
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Condition Endometriosis
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Condition PTSD
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Condition Fibromyalgia
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"Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is lifelong inflammatory disease (arthritis) that primarily affects the spine and can cause severe, chronic pain and stiffness. If left untreated, it can cause fusion of the spinal joints (vertebrae), which can lead to irreversible changes in posture, restricted spinal movements and disability. Alongside conventional treatments, the potential benefits of medical cannabis for AS include: pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, muscle relaxation and improved sleep quality."
Dr. Sue Clenton
Medical Director
11. 04. 2024
As part of our Experts explain series, we sat down with Dr Sue Clenton, an expert Oncologist and Specialist Consultant at Releaf, to speak about medical cannabis treatments and chronic pain.
11. 04. 2024
06. 09. 2023
If you are looking for a complementary pain management solution to add to your existing treatment plan, you are anything but alone. Right here in the UK, around 34% of the population (that's close to 15.5 million people) are affected by chronic pain. Chronic pain is an unwelcome passenger on the journey for many patients living with long-term medical conditions, and is a common symptom of countless diseases and illnesses.
06. 09. 2023
29. 09. 2023
With the introduction of medical cannabis here in the UK, patients are now able to access cannabis based medical products (CBMPs) in the treatment of pain. And while this is great news for many, the world of CBMPs can be daunting – especially when there are so many cannabinoids at play.
29. 09. 2023
Some patients may be eligible for medical cannabis for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), to help potentially relieve some of the symptoms that make everyday life with this condition challenging.
Medical cannabis is thought to have both a direct and indirect action on the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors and chemicals that impacts multiple aspects of wellness. While there is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, medications that manage pain and other distressing symptoms could improve a patient’s quality of life.
Since 2018, medical cannabis has been a possible option for some patients, when prescribed under the supervision of medical experts. Eligibility is based on the individual’s symptoms and individual circumstances.
When considering medical cannabis, ankylosing spondylitis patients may discuss the following symptoms with their consultant:
|
Ankylosing spondylitis symptom |
How symptom presents |
Ankylosing spondylitis cannabis-based treatment: how it may help |
|
AS is an inflammation-based condition, with pain and stiffness that may start in the back but often spreads throughout the body. Pain may be accompanied by swelling, which may worsen over time. |
Medical cannabis may impact pain perception and offer a potential anti-inflammatory effect, making managing pain easier for some people. |
|
|
Anxiety is common in people with AS, particularly where the condition has limited the individual’s mobility: one study assessed 40 patients with limited hip mobility due to AS, and the average anxiety score before treatment was 75.05 on the SAS anxiety scale, indicating severe anxiety. |
A review of research from 2025 claims that 70% of relevant studies support administering CBD or THC for anxiety. |
|
|
Dealing with chronic pain every day can be a direct cause of low mood and depression. Up to 64% of axial spondyloarthritis patients may struggle with depression. |
The ECS is thought to be linked to mood regulation and potentially lower levels of depression. One study from 2025 found that patients who were prescribed medical cannabis for their mood disorders experienced “Significant decreases from baseline in anxiety and depression.” |
|
|
Sleeping disorders such as insomnia or frequent nighttime waking are common with AS. More than half of people dealing with chronic back pain, a common characteristic of AS, suffer from insomnia at some point. |
Some patients may find that the relaxing effects of medical cannabis, combined with the potential pain-relieving action, could improve their sleep. A 2022 review of medical cannabis and sleep studies claimed that while research results varied, there were at least small improvements in sleep when patients were taking cannabis-based treatments. |
|
|
Fatigue |
Chronic pain and sleeplessness can lead to intense fatigue, waking up feeling unrefreshed, and associated symptoms like memory problems and brain fog. |
Reducing pain levels and improving sleep could help lower fatigue levels, for some people. |
CBD and THC are two of the 140+ cannabinoids found in medical cannabis. They both affect the ECS in slightly different ways.
THC is a psychoactive compound, which is associated with the “high” feeling that cannabis can induce when administered in strong doses. Because this is a form of intoxication, it can impair judgement, which is why medical cannabis should be prescribed and monitored by medical professionals.
THC works by binding to receptors in the ECS. These receptors may modulate pain reception and regulate the mood, among other aspects of health.
CBD is not psychoactive and does not bind directly to cannabinoid receptors. Instead, it may offer a supportive effect, altering how the ECS responds to potentially therapeutic compounds and slowing the breakdown of those compounds.
CBD is associated with a calmer state of mind and other health benefits, although like all medications, it affects everyone slightly differently. The greatest benefits may come from the combination of cannabinoids and other compounds found in medical cannabis.
Different medical cannabis strains offer varying benefits depending on the volume of specific cannabinoids and their terpene profile. Terpenes are chemicals found in plants that may have a range of effects on the body, and could even enhance the effects of the cannabinoids or other potentially therapeutic compounds within medical cannabis.
You may be prescribed medical cannabis for ankylosing spondylitis in a strain that is higher in certain cannabinoids or other compounds that are thought to target specific symptoms. Your consultant will discuss this with you, as well as the type of medical cannabis you may prefer. Formats include:
Oils
Pastilles
Dried flower for vaporisers
The format you’ll be prescribed will usually be based on your personal preferences and individual circumstances.
Axial spondyloarthritis is the wider category that ankylosing spondylitis falls under. It represents a group of chronic inflammatory rheumatological conditions, and AS is just one of those.
AS is sometimes referred to by other names, including rheumatoid spondylitis and Morbus Bechterew, the latter referring to Vladimir Bechterev (sometimes spelled Bechterew), who was involved in the discovery of AS.
An expert may prescribe medical cannabis for various arthritic conditions, including ankylosing spondylitis, to offer potential relief for symptoms ranging from inflammation to insomnia.
There are numerous treatments for AS, to help manage symptoms, slow the progression of the condition, or improve quality of life. NSAIDs may help manage pain and swelling. A UK specialist may prescribe the NSAID Etoricoxib for AS, usually at a low dose to gauge the patient’s reaction and check for any side effects.
Physiotherapy can help improve flexibility and reduce stiffness, potentially increasing the patient’s mobility.
Biologic treatments that alter the chemicals the body produces or how it reacts to them can help. Taltz, a brand name for ixekizumab, blocks proteins associated with inflammation. Other people may be prescribed Humira for AS, another protein-blocking biologic treatment. These medications may take many months to have an effect.
Medical cannabis doesn’t replace existing treatments, but it may offer a holistic approach to symptom management, for some people. The potential for improved sleep, lower fatigue levels, and a reduced perception of pain could help boost an individual’s quality of life.
Medical cannabis for ankylosing spondylitis is not suitable for everyone. Some people find that there are side effects to taking medical cannabis, just like with any other medication. They can include dizziness, nausea, and dry mouth. Usually, these symptoms are mild and temporary. In situations where they don’t pass, it may mean that you have to change your dosage or consider alternative treatments for ankylosing spondylitis.
There may be lifestyle changes that you’ll be encouraged to make before starting any new treatment. Smoking, for example, is a significant risk factor for developing any form of axial spondyloarthritis, including AS, and it can make your symptoms worse. The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) states that smoking:
Worsens bone damage
Exacerbates problems with breathing
Makes pain worse
Interferes with biologic treatments
Increases the risk of heart attack and strokes
Making efforts to stop smoking might be a more beneficial next step than moving to an alternative or complementary medication. However, if you’ve already made necessary lifestyle changes and are still searching for improved symptom management, medical cannabis may be worth considering.
To check your eligibility for ankylosing spondylitis medical cannabis treatment, UK patients can fill out a 30-second form on the Releaf website.
How Releaf works: If eligible, you can book a consultation with a member of Releaf’s world-class clinical team. They will assess your situation and decide if medical cannabis is the right next step for you. If you decide to go ahead, you can choose to pay for your medication on a pay-as-you-go basis or pay a monthly fee for Releaf+, which gives you significant discounts on medication plus other benefits like a rewards scheme and Releaf Protect.
Releaf is the most trusted UK medical cannabis clinic, as shown by our 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from over 9,000 reviews. To learn more about ankylosing spondylitis and cannabis, contact our team or complete the medical cannabis eligibility checker.
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