28 million
Just under 28 million adults in the UK are estimated to live with chronic pain.
64%
Pain decreases by 64% after CBMP is administered, suggests US patient survey.
84%
Of those who have tried it say medical cannabis is an effective pain treatment.
Number 1
Condition in the UK being treated with medical cannabis is chronic pain.
Symptoms
Anxiety
Burning pain
Decreased activity level
Depression
Fatigue
Irritability
Joint pain
Muscle aches
Poor flexibility
Sleep problems
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
Although there are a number of exercises that can prevent chronic pain from getting worse, such as swimming, yoga, and walking, this often isn’t enough. Physical therapy may be recommended as a treatment option, or pharmaceutical painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be prescribed as a first line treatment for chronic pain.
Codeine
Fentanyl
Ibuprofen
Morphine
NSAIDs
Paracetamol
Tramadol
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 2 years
Condition Insomnia & Chronic Pain
Subscriber 2 years
Condition ADHD
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Endometriosis
Subscriber 2 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 2 years
Condition Endometriosis
Subscriber 2 years
Condition PTSD
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Fibromyalgia
Subscriber 2 years
“Many conditions that lead to chronic pain often respond poorly to conventional pharmaceutical medications. More and more is being understood about how the endocannabinoid system interacts with the more well-known pain pathways to work synergistically with these conventional medications. Chronic pain comes with a variety of associated symptoms such as poor sleep, fatigue, brain fog and reduced appetite – all of which treatment with medical cannabis can improve.“
Dr Sue Clenton
Medical Director
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
22. 09. 2023
Medical cannabis is an increasingly popular treatment option for people suffering from chronic back pain. But to legally access it in the United Kingdom (UK), you need a physician registered to the General Medical Council Specialist Register to prescribe you cannabis. That means that, more than likely, your current GP won’t be able to help you get a medical cannabis prescription. NHS medical cannabis patients are not provided with a medical cannabis card, as unlike some other countries, it is not a legal requirement to carry a card. Again, if you are looking for the added protection that holding a medical cannabis card offers, then a private clinic is the best way to go.
22. 09. 2023
Yes, medical cannabis has been shown to be a potentially effective treatment option for some patients suffering from chronic pain conditions, and for those who experience chronic pain as a secondary symptom.
Medical cannabis works by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system, along with other receptor sites. The endocannabinoid system is directly connected to how we regulate pain, inflammation, and nerve signalling. When this system is supported by cannabis produced compounds, namely cannabinoids (THC and CBD), you may find that your chronic pain issues are easier to not only manage, but your overall quality of life may also improve.
In November 2025, Releaf conducted the largest survey of active UK medical cannabis patients ever conducted. Of the 1,669 respondents, patients being treated for chronic pain made up almost half (792, or 47.5%) of all participants, and that lines up with the fact that it is also the most common reason that Releaf patients are prescribed medical cannabis. It also clearly reflects the wider national picture: the British Pain Society has estimated that close to 28 million adults in the UK live with some form of chronic pain.
