Chronic Pain
Medical cannabis treatments for bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition where the airways become widened and scarred. This leads to mucus often building up to the point where it becomes extremely difficult to clear, which can cause a persistent cough and frequent lung infections.
If conventional treatment options have not brought enough relief, medical cannabis may be prescribed alongside the more traditional approaches. It can be legally prescribed in the UK to help with the secondary symptoms of bronchiectasis, including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and the fatigue that the condition causes.
212,000
people in the UK are living with bronchiectasis, more common in women and adults over 60
Up to 54%
of patients experience anxiety, and up to 65% experience depression
4.3 times
therise in UK hospital admissions for bronchiectasis, the steepest of any chronic lung disease
95.8 million
of Releaf patients treated for anxiety and depression reported improved quality of life
Symptoms
Breathlessness-related anxiety
Chest wall and musculoskeletal pain from chronic coughing
Depression linked to a chronic relapsing lung condition
Low mood tied to the unpredictability of disease flares
Persistent fatigue
Reduced appetite during and after exacerbations
Sleep disruption from nocturnal cough and anxiety
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we recommend seeking the advice of a specialist clinician.
Treatment options:
As smokers are at a much higher risk of developing bronchiectasis, it is always recommended that patients cease smoking. Beyond this, treatment usually focuses on clearing mucus from the airways, controlling infections, and reducing inflammation to limit flare-ups. Most people manage their symptoms through a range of approaches.
Airway clearance physiotherapy (active cycle of breathing, PEP devices)
Bronchodilators
Immunisations
Inhaled corticosteroids
Long-term antibiotics including azithromycin
Medical cannabis for secondary symptoms
Mucolytics
Pulmonary rehabilitation
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A word from our specialist
“What I notice most in clinic is how differently bronchiectasis affects each person, and how much the day-to-day burden can vary from one patient to the next.
It’s so important for each management plan to be tailored around each individual, rather than following a single fixed path.”
Dr Nick Bennett
General Practitioner
Articles on Bbronchiectasis
20. 11. 2024
Can I vape medical cannabis with COPD?
November is National COPD Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and the prevention and treatment of chronic lung disease. In honour of this important event, we’re taking a closer look at the relationship between medical cannabis and chronic lung disease and answering the question: “Can I vape medical cannabis if I have COPD?”
20. 11. 2024
12. 03. 2025
The Impact of Smoking on Chronic Health Conditions: Why Quitting Matters
These days, we are all well aware of the health implications of smoking tobacco. As a result, smoking rates have been consistently on the decline in recent decades. But for many, quitting smoking is easier said than done - and for those with chronic health conditions, this could pose an even more pressing concern. In honour of No Smoking Day 2025, we’re taking a closer look at how smoking impacts chronic conditions such as chronic pain, neurological disorders, and mental health.
12. 03. 2025
09. 06. 2025
Why smoking medical cannabis is harmful (and illegal) in 2026: expert medical advice
Smoking prescribed medical cannabis is not permitted in the UK. Instead, patients are instructed to administer their medication using medical vaporisers or alternative formats such as oils. In this expert interview, Releaf doctor Dr Alexander Van Heerden explains why combustion undermines treatment goals, how vaporisation changes dosing and inhalation dynamics, and what patients should know when transitioning from smoking to vaporised cannabinoids.
09. 06. 2025
Can medical cannabis treatments help the symptoms of bronchiectasis?
Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition where the bronchi have become permanently damaged or scarred. This damage leads to abnormal widening in the larger airways (bronchi) and narrowing and blockage in the smaller airways (bronchioles) due to chronic inflammation, which causes a build-up of mucus, and hinders the natural ability lungs ordinarily have to clear mucus out. Bronchiectasis can be caused by underlying genetic conditions, immune system disorders and severe or recurrent lung infections.
Although bronchiectasis is potentially reversible in some cases and there have been some recent breakthrough studies, there is currently no official cure for the condition. Most people with bronchiectasis can limit flare ups and lead a normal life with careful management and lifestyle adjustments, including doing daily breathing exercises, quitting (or avoiding) smoking, avoiding fumes and environmental irritants, and staying well hydrated.
Medical cannabis can be prescribed for the symptoms of bronchiectasis, however due to the nature of the condition, cannabis oils, pastilles and capsules are usually the recommended format as opposed to cannabis flower to vapourise, or THC vapes. As well as being illegal to smoke medical cannabis, it is also contraindicated in bronchiectasis.
Who is most likely to be affected by bronchiectasis in the UK?
Bronchiectasis has been found to be more common in women than men, and has a significant increase in adults over the age of 60, although it is also possible for younger people and children to be born with or develop the condition. It’s estimated that bronchiectasis affects over 300,000 people in the UK, with a 20% increase over the past decade.
What symptoms does bronchiectasis cause?
The primary symptoms of bronchiectasis are a chronic, productive cough and recurrent chest infections, but patients can also experience extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain and wheezing.
What treatments are currently available for bronchiectasis?
Current and alternative treatments for bronchiectasis generally focus on controlling infections, reducing inflammation and clearing mucus. Medical cannabis is prescribed for bronchiectasis and secondary symptoms due to a number of preclinical trials looking at THC and CBD that have produced positive results.
A new medication, Brensocatib, was licensed in the UK on February 23rd 2026 and has been developed to target a protein called dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP1), which is involved in the process that causes inflammation in the lungs. There are also a number of physical and mechanical therapies recommended by many physicians, including Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques (ACBT), Postural Drainage, Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) and High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation.
Can medical cannabis treatment help with bronchiectasis symptoms?
Although smoking cannabis (which is illegal, even when cannabis is prescribed) worsens inflammation in the lungs, medical cannabis taken in the form of an oil, pastille or capsule may reduce it. Numerous studies, albeit often animal models and/or in vivo, have indicated that cannabinoids (particularly CBD and THC) can decrease inflammation in various lung diseases and infections.
Medical cannabis can also help to manage a number of secondary complications of bronchiectasis, including sleep disruption, pain and anxiety. When medical cannabis is prescribed by a Releaf consultant, it will likely be to address these symptoms, rather than to treat the condition itself.
How does the endocannabinoid system relate to bronchiectasis?
Cannabinoid receptors, which make up the body-wide endocannabinoid system (ECS), can be found in abundance in the airways and respiratory tissues that bronchiectasis impacts. When cannabinoids (most notably THC and CBD) activate these receptors, they have been found to induce bronchodilation (the widening, relaxing and smoothing of airways) and modify inflammation, which is what most medications for treating respiratory conditions aim to achieve.
It’s well worth considering CBD for bronchiectasis as much as THC for bronchiectasis, as studies have shown that this cannabinoid can not only decrease lung inflammation, but improve lung function through its interaction with the ECS as well.
What does the research say about cannabis and bronchiectasis?
When it comes to research about lung health and cannabis, most studies focus on smoking cannabis and the potential harms of that. Unsurprisingly, smoking cannabis has been found to significantly increase the risk of bronchiectasis, bronchial thickening, and mucoid impaction. However, it is illegal to smoke medical cannabis. When medical cannabis is prescribed for the symptoms of bronchiectasis, it will usually be offered in the form of cannabis oil, pastilles or capsules, which allows patients to benefit from the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids without causing any damage to the lungs.
While there are currently no studies specifically researching the use of medical cannabis for bronchiectasis, there are studies looking at how cannabinoids present in medical cannabis, like CBD and THC, can help to manage symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis. This disease has a lot of cross over with the symptoms of bronchiectasis, which is sometimes called ‘non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis’. One such study, published in 2025, found that the pediatric patient given a CBD-rich full spectrum oil (including THC) for cystic fibrosis experienced a significant reduction in symptoms and improved quality of life after five weeks of use.
What forms of Releaf medical cannabis can be prescribed for bronchiectasis?
Various forms of medical cannabis are available for bronchiectasis when you obtain a prescription from Releaf, including medical cannabis oil, capsules and pastilles. Medical cannabis flower (to vape) and THC vapes are also available but may not be recommended by our consultants due to potential aggravation in the lungs. This will be dependent on individual clinical assessment of lung function, patient preference and consultant opinion.
Who may be eligible for medical cannabis treatment for bronchiectasis?
If you have a bronchiectasis diagnosis and have already tried two or more treatments or therapies, you may be eligible for medical cannabis treatment. You can check your eligibility today using the Releaf medical cannabis eligibility checker.
Is inhaled medical cannabis appropriate for patients with bronchiectasis?
Inhaling medical cannabis, even as vapour rather than smoke, could potentially cause further irritation and inflammation in the lungs, so it’s likely your Releaf consultant will suggest another form such as capsules, oil or pastilles.
Can medical cannabis help with breathlessness-related anxiety?
Medical cannabis is commonly prescribed for anxiety, so this is almost certainly something your Releaf consultant will take into account. It’s likely you will be prescribed low dose THC and higher CBD for this need. There currently research underway specifically evaluating how cannabinoids affect breathing related anxiety.
Will medical cannabis interact with my bronchiectasis medications?
Medical cannabis can interact with certain medications, but your Releaf consultant will already be aware of previously prescribed and current medications, as you will use NHS login to book your initial consultation. This allows safe, secure and instant access to your medical records, and with this information your consultant will be able to advise accordingly.
Can medical cannabis help during a bronchiectasis exacerbation?
Bronchiectasis exacerbation is a flare up of the condition which can lead to a range of heightened symptoms including a productive cough, fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath. These symptoms can also lead to anxiety and sleep disturbances. While medical cannabis might not significantly help with the direct exacerbation symptoms, it is likely to help with the indirect symptoms provided it is used in the right dose and form as prescribed by your consultant.
Will medical cannabis help me breathe better?
Some research suggests that cannabinoids, such as THC, can have a bronchodilation and anti-inflammatory effect, so it’s possible that medical cannabis might help you breathe better. But medical cannabis is generally prescribed for the symptoms of bronchiectasis, rather than a direct treatment for the condition.