Medical cannabis for restless leg syndrome (RLS) has been found to be potentially helpful, both in patient surveys and ongoing research. Although cannabis treatment is not a cure for RLS, evidence suggests that it may help manage some of the symptoms, such as sleep disruption and pain, in turn possibly improving overall quality of life.
50%
of patients found relief from RLS symptoms after inhaling cannabis.
1 Month
Cannabinoids were effective at reducing RLS severity after 1 month.
20%
of people with RLS experience daily or near-daily symptoms.
5-10%
Restless leg syndrome affects 5-10% of people across the UK, US and Europe
Symptoms
A burning sensation
A throbbing sensation
A tingling feeling
Cramping
Disturbed sleeping
Feeling itchy or shivery.
Need or urge to move your legs
Trouble sleeping
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
So long as Restless legs syndrome is not linked to another underlying condition, it can usually be managed by making lifestyle changes such as daily exercise, avoiding stimulants in the evening and having a sound sleeping routine. If symptoms are persistent or frequent, common restless legs syndrome treatments include dopamine agonists, painkillers and sleep-aids.
Codeine
Gabapentin
Pramipexole
Pregabalin
Ropinirole
Zopiclone
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 3 years
Condition Insomnia & Chronic Pain
Subscriber 2 years
Condition ADHD
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Endometriosis
Subscriber 3 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
"Medical cannabis may help alleviate symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) through several potential mechanisms: it has been shown to reduce pain, aid in muscle relaxation, and increase the duration and quality of sleep. In particular, THC oils have shown to be effective in just one week of treatment."
Dr Alex Van Heerden
Generalist
26. 05. 2023
The cannabis plant contains over 110 cannabinoids occurring naturally, providing potentially potent and distinct benefits for mind and bodily functions. Thanks to the recent explosion in cannabis legality, researchers are finally gaining the type of access they need to delve into the vast potential of these compounds for medical applications.
26. 05. 2023
15. 09. 2023
Thanks to the sweeping changes made to the legality of medical cannabis on the 1st of November 2018 here in the UK, sufferers of nerve pain can now supplement conventional therapies with medicinal cannabis use. Some patients are reporting that medical cannabis offers a pain management solution after years of trial and error with traditional medical approaches.
15. 09. 2023
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
Medical cannabis has been legal to prescribe for RLS in the UK since 2018, providing a plant-based option for patients who have previously tried two frontline treatments, such as gabapentin or ropinirole.
Medical cannabis treatment is available in the UK for restless leg syndrome, via a private prescription with Releaf. At present, it is not possible to access cannabis for RLS on the NHS.
If you're interested in trying cannabis for restless leg syndrome, the process with Releaf is very straightforward. Fill in the medical cannabis eligibility checker online to take the first step towards booking an online consultation with one of our world-class clinical team.
Although the cause of restless legs syndrome is largely unknown, in some cases it may be due to dysfunction in how the brain handles dopamine and iron. An imbalance of dopamine (which plays a role in controlling muscle movement) and low levels of iron (which may or may not show up on a blood test) are believed to play a major role, or worsen existing RLS. Further underlying medical links such as pregnancy, kidney disease and nerve damage could also be triggers. Restless leg syndrome can also be genetic.
While clinical research is ongoing and more studies are needed to conclude whether or not CBD can help restless legs, some trials are promising so far. A review of seven clinical studies published in 2026 concluded that current evidence indicates cannabis may alleviate or prevent symptoms of RLS. It's thought that systemic inflammation may play a role in RLS, which could prove interesting in future CBD studies as CBD has anti-inflammatory potential.
Overall, studies looking at the effect of CBD for restless leg syndrome, as opposed to cannabis or CBD with THC, offer very mixed results, with some concluding that CBD has no effect at all. In one of these (a parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial) 18 patients with RLS were randomised, and six were given 75 to 300mg CBD (the rest, placebo capsules). The results show no difference between CBD and the placebo.
Further research covering medical cannabis as a whole, or CBD with THC, is often more promising, and new studies are currently underway, including a randomised controlled trial of 30 participants, with moderate-to-severe RLS, who will try medical cannabis for 8 weeks to test the effects on sleep and quality of life.
Current research suggests that the endocannabinoid system (ECS), the main physiological system cannabinoids such as THC and CBD interact with, could help rebalance nervous system dysfunction linked to RLS. This is possible because the ECS serves as the master regulator of neural activity, helping to maintain overall equilibrium in the brain and body. Because of this, the potential of cannabinoids and the modulation of the ECS is an intriguing target for the treatment of RLS.
CBD and THC affect the ECS in different ways, offering a wide variety of therapeutic potential which is often elevated when both are taken together. Primarily, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, increasing levels of endocannabinoids in the body by inhibiting the enzymes which ordinarily break them down, and offering anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. THC, on the other hand, fits like a lock and key into the CB1 receptors, largely found in the brain and spinal cord, potentially acting as a supplement for endocannabinoids and producing a number of effects such as pain relief, muscle relaxation and nausea suppression.
In a three-month open-label trial, published July 2026, 18 patients with RLS were given a near-equal ratio of CBD and THC (2.7mg THC to 2.5mg CBD). Results concluded that this combination of cannabinoids was effective in reducing the severity of RLS, with improvements seen at 1 month, 3 months, and still maintained after 1 year among patients who continued cannabinoid treatment. Another study (a retrospective chart review over three years) echoed these findings, with 50% of patients experiencing symptom relief of RLS after inhaling cannabis.
Medical cannabis may be prescribed for sleep issues and is often prescribed for this reason. Sleep is a highly studied area of cannabis science, with evidence overall supporting that cannabinoids can decrease the time it takes to fall asleep and increase total sleep time. However, chronic, high-dose use of cannabis can lead to increased wakefulness in the night, lower sleep efficiency and reduced REM sleep, so taking cannabis appropriately is vital for best results.
The aforementioned 2026 study ‘Tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol in the treatment of restless legs syndrome', in which patients were given 2.7mg THC and 2.5mg CBD, reported that cannabinoids can significantly improve sleep specifically in patients with restless leg syndrome.
Dopamine agonists are generally discouraged as treatment for RLS now, with drugs such as gabapentin and pregabalin serving as the primary first-line treatments. The 2022 study ‘Prevalence of Cannabis Use in Patients with Restless Leg Syndrome for Symptomatic Relief' reported that 67% of RLS patients in the review found symptom relief with the addition of a dopamine agonist. However, combining cannabis with a dopamine agonist or other treatment for restless leg syndrome can carry potential risks, including dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, increased blood pressure and an accumulation of medication in the body.
To take cannabis in the most carefully managed way possible, whether alongside other medications or not, it's best to do so under close clinical supervision. When you are given a prescription by a clinician at Releaf, you will be guided on the best dosage and practice, and you will also be offered follow up appointments to review your progress.
Medical cannabis is available in the UK in a variety of forms, including dried flower to vaporise, pre-loaded THC vapes, cannabis oil and cannabis pastilles. Your clinician can help advise you on the best products for your needs.
It's very easy to get assessed for medical cannabis in the UK, and with Releaf the whole process is done online from the comfort of your own home. Take a look at how Releaf works, then simply fill in the medical cannabis eligibility checker, use the NHS login portal to send your medical records to your clinician and book a consultation. Consultations take place on a video call, and your prescribed cannabis products will be delivered to your door.
Releaf - redefining healthcare
