403,922
people in the UK may be living with ME/CFS, according to 2025 data from the ME Association.
25%
of people living with ME in the UK may be housebound or bedbound, with many more unable to work full time.
10
chronic overlapping pain conditions are associated with ME/CFS, including fibromyalgia and IBS.
72%
of 1,669 people were prescribed medical cannabis for multiple symptoms, such as those associated with ME/CFS, according to the largest survey of active UK medical cannabis patients ever conducted.
Symptoms
Feelings of excessive tiredness
Flu-like symptoms
Issues staying asleep
Memory issues
Muscle or joint pain
Poor mental health
Problems with concentration
Sore throat
Still feeling tired after rest/sleep
Taking a long time to recover from physical activity
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
At the moment there is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis - but its symptoms can be treated. Often accompanied by making lifestyle adaptations, CBT and energy management is advised and medicines to manage sleep, pain, and depression may also be prescribed.
Amitriptyline
Clonazepam
Duloxetine
Gabapentin
Low-dose benzodiazepines
Pregabalin
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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"Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), is a condition that causes pain, severe fatigue, disordered sleep, brain fog and post-exertional malaise. It is thought to be inflammatory in origin, and may also be due to a deficiency in the endogenous endocannabinoid system.
Cannabis, especially THC, can decrease the pro-inflammatory and increase the anti-inflammatory parts of the immune system, helping to relieve these symptoms and improve quality of life for patients suffering from this condition."
Dr Crystal Hamel-Smith
Generalist
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
Medical cannabis for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), could represent an alternative or complementary approach to conventional treatments. A consultant may prescribe the medication if they determine it might help with pain management, sleep problems, or mood regulation, among other aspects of wellness impacted by ME/CFS.
The reason medical cannabis may offer relief is due to its potential therapeutic effect on the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Compounds in the medication are similar in structure to endocannabinoids in the human body, and may help regulate the ECS, promoting a state known as homeostasis, where the internal environment is more balanced.
For some people, this can mean improved mood, a better night’s sleep, and lower pain levels.
For ME/CFS, cannabis-based treatments may offer some relief from a range of symptoms:
|
ME/CFS symptom |
How symptom presents |
How medical cannabis for ME/CFS may help |
|
Pain in any area of the body, from headaches to joint pain, is a common symptom of ME/CFS. |
Medical cannabis may have an anti-inflammatory effect that, for some people, makes managing pain easier. |
|
|
Anxiety in ME/CFS may be linked to the long wait for diagnosis or the unpredictability of flare-ups, meaning it’s challenging to make plans. This can lead to intense feelings of being on edge, worried, and stressed. |
Cannabis-based treatments can, for some people, contribute to a reduced level of anxiety and stress. A review of research from 2025 suggested that 70% of relevant studies support administering CBD or THC for anxiety. |
|
|
When someone can’t socialise or work the way they used to, this can lead to deep feelings of loneliness, despair, and hopelessness. |
Medication that has a therapeutic effect on the ECS could, in some cases, help with mood regulation. A study from 2025 found that patients who were prescribed medical cannabis experienced “Significant decreases from baseline in anxiety and depression.” |
|
|
People with ME/CFS may wake up feeling unrefreshed or like they haven’t slept at all. Sleep patterns may swing from hypersomnia, where the individual sleeps more than usual, to insomnia, where the person cannot fall asleep easily. |
A 2022 review of medical cannabis and sleep studies suggested with “moderate certainty” that the medication showed promise for at least small sleep improvements. |
|
|
Flu-like symptoms |
Increased rates of colds and flu-like infections are common with ME/CFS. Abnormalities in the immune system and increased inflammation may account for this. People living with ME/CFS may feel feverish, have upper respiratory distress, or experience increased levels of pain during these spells. |
Medical cannabis can’t cure a cold, but it may offer some relief for associated pain and sleeplessness caused by the symptoms. |
|
Fibromyalgia is a condition that overlaps with ME/CFS, with many people receiving a diagnosis of both. Fibromyalgia also has symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and dysregulated mood, but is characterised by chronic pain and tenderness, often in the same locations. |
A 2021 study of 319 patients, 82% of whom had fibromyalgia, reported significant reductions in pain and improvements in sleep after being treated with medical cannabis. |
|
|
Digestive issues |
People living with ME/CFS may struggle with bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, and other aspects of digestion. |
Medical cannabis may be prescribed for various gastroenterological issues, due to its potential therapeutic effect on the ECS. |
Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is often seen as a defining symptom of ME/CFS. It’s characterised by intense fatigue and a disproportionate crash in symptoms after physical, cognitive, or emotional exertion, and this crash may often be delayed by hours or days.
Exertion in an ME/CFS context rarely means the same as it does for a fully healthy individual. Even light activities can worsen the symptoms of CFS. According to ME Research UK, actions that could trigger PEM may include:
Showering
Talking to people
Sitting up to eat meals
Using a computer
Lifting light objects
It’s important to note that PEM is much more than intense fatigue. People living with ME/CFS may experience pain, nausea, shaking, and may need to rest for extended periods of time. Medical cannabis may be an option, for some people, to alleviate the pain and nausea that accompany PEM.
When considering the links between medical cannabis and chronic fatigue syndrome, it helps to understand what compounds are potentially affecting the body when you take the medicine.
Medical cannabis is rich in cannabinoids, with CBD and THC the two that are most well-researched. THC is the psychoactive compound that creates a feeling of intoxication when consumed in high doses. Research suggests that THC binds directly to receptors in the ECS, potentially regulating pain perception, mood regulation, and sleep.
CBD, although similar in structure to THC, does not bind to receptors in the same way. Instead, it may offer a supportive effect, adjusting how the ECS responds to certain compounds and slowing the breakdown of cannabinoids in the body.
For myalgic encephalomyelitis, cannabis-based treatments could offer the combined benefits of multiple cannabinoids.
There is very little evidence that medical cannabis either improves or worsens fatigue directly. Medical cannabis may, for some people, promote improved sleep, better mood regulation, and lower pain levels, which can all impact fatigue.
However, fatigue in ME/CFS doesn’t necessarily stem from the same source as it does in a fully healthy person. Living with ME/CFS means experiencing fatigue and malaise at intensely high levels that impact the ability to perform daily tasks. Medical cannabis is more likely to be prescribed to offer potential relief for associated symptoms, such as pain or digestive complaints.
There’s a complex relationship between medical cannabis and concentration, and, like most medications, it may affect everyone differently. Some people may find that THC affects their concentration, which may be unhelpful if brain fog and memory issues are already a problem. Medical cannabis may not be suitable in these cases, or a consultant may need to adjust the dosage.
Other people may be prescribed medical cannabis for fatigue and brain fog, due to its potential impact on aspects of health that impact mental clarity. Better sleep, for example, may reduce the intensity of brain fog and help improve concentration.
If you’re prescribed medical cannabis for myalgic encephalomyelitis, it’s likely to be alongside your existing treatment plan. This may include pacing yourself and limiting daily activities to what you have the energy to achieve, as per NICE guidelines. You will likely have been advised not to try and push through symptoms, as this can trigger PEM. You may also have been given advice on a supportive diet, drinking plenty of fluids, and rest.
Medical cannabis may offer potential relief for pain and other associated symptoms. Chronic fatigue syndrome cannabis treatments may include:
· Oils
· Pastilles
· Dried flower for vaporisers
A Releaf consultant will listen to your symptoms and concerns, and suggest an appropriate format and dosage for your individual circumstances.
How Releaf works: Fill out the 30-second online form to check your eligibility. If eligible, you can book a consultation, during which a consultant will assess your symptoms to decide if medical cannabis might help. If you go ahead with the treatment plan, you can pay for your medication on a pay-as-you-go basis or sign up for Releaf+, a pay-monthly plan that offers discounts on medication costs plus a range of additional benefits, including Releaf Protect.
Releaf is the most trusted UK medical cannabis clinic, which is shown by our 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from over 9,000 reviews. Find out if you’re eligible for medical cannabis for chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms by completing the medical cannabis eligibility checker or contacting our team.
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