8 in 100,000
people in the UK may be living with trigeminal neuralgia.
10%
of people with trigeminal neuralgia may not respond to conventional neuropathic pain medications.
81%
of 42 patients reported improvements in trigeminal neuralgia symptoms after treatment with medical cannabis, according to one New York-based study.
47.5%
of 1,669 respondents to the largest survey of active UK medical cannabis patients ever conducted reported being prescribed the medication for various types of pain, including nerve pain disorders like trigeminal neuralgia.
Symptoms
Burning sensation
Constant aching feeling
Excruciating facial pain
Fatigue
Low mood
Sharp, shooting pain
Throbbing
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
Normally, when trigeminal neuralgia is being treated by the NHS, anticonvulsant medications are the first type of treatment recommended to help relieve pain. If these are not found to be suitable, other analgesics may be explored, and sometimes surgery is considered.
Baclofen
Carbamazepine
Gabapentin
Lamotrigine
Oxcarbazepine
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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"Trigeminal neuralgia is an intense facial pain condition. Medicinal cannabis might provide pain relief by interacting with the endocannabinoid system to reduce pain signaling and inflammation, offering a new avenue for treatment."
Dr Michal Modestowicz
Neurology
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
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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.
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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.
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Some people in the UK with trigeminal neuralgia may be eligible for medical cannabis treatments, particularly in cases where conventional treatments aren’t fully managing the condition, or where secondary symptoms are affecting their quality of life.
Medical cannabis for trigeminal neuralgia and other types of nerve pain has been legal, under strict medical supervision, since 2018. A consultant may prescribe the medication for potentially improved facial pain management, but it can also help some people sleep better or deal with symptoms such as nausea or anxiety.
Some patients may already take CBD for trigeminal neuralgia, as it is available as an oil or in other formats from some health shops or online stores. CBD is just one compound found in medical cannabis, and is legal when sold with only trace amounts of THC.
CBD may offer relief for neuropathic pain (nerve-related pain), including trigeminal neuralgia, via reduced oxidative stress and modulated pain perception.
When discussing cannabis for trigeminal neuralgia treatment, the two most common cannabinoids that come up are THC and CBD. As you’ve already seen, CBD is associated with reduced pain perception, but it may also be linked to a calmer state of mind that may help to alleviate anxiety, for some people.
THC works in a slightly different way to CBD, binding to receptors in the ECS. This may offer a direct impact on several aspects of wellness, including pain modulation, sleep quality, and mood regulation.
Medical cannabis offers a blend of potentially beneficial compounds, including THC, CBD, and various terpenes that may also offer benefits to some patients.
If you have trigeminal neuralgia, medical cannabis may be prescribed by a UK consultant for the following symptoms:
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Trigeminal neuralgia symptom |
How symptom presents |
Medical cannabis for insomnia: How it might help |
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The intense facial pain that is the defining symptom of trigeminal neuralgia is challenging to live with. The initial pain may feel like an electric shock to the face or jaw, and some people will experience secondary pain that lingers for minutes or hours after the attack. |
Various studies appear to indicate that medical cannabis may reduce the perception of pain. Research indicates that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is significantly involved in how someone perceives pain and how much that pain impacts their quality of life. Cannabinoids, found in medical cannabis, could offer a potentially therapeutic effect on the ECS, helping some patients to better manage both chronic and acute pain. |
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The Trigeminal Neuralgia Association (UK) notes that it’s easy to become isolated due to fears around potential triggers, such as wind, that may prevent someone from going outside. Isolation and loneliness can quickly lead to depression, a persistent low mood that may be accompanied by thoughts of harming oneself, in severe cases. |
Data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry states that depression questionnaire scores for 129 patients were reduced by 50%, on average, after a month of cannabis-based treatment. |
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The fear of pain or of encountering pain triggers can cause intense, lingering anxiety, including feeling worried or on edge. |
One review of research from 2025 states that 70% of studies on cannabis and anxiety appear to show that CBD/THC could help with improved symptom management. |
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Insomnia |
Research shows that insomnia may make trigeminal neuralgia worse, but also that people living with trigeminal neuralgia are more likely to develop insomnia, as well as depression and anxiety. Some patients report dreading nighttime, as they never know when the pain will wake them up. |
A 2022 systematic review of studies into the impact of medical cannabis on sleep concluded with “moderate certainty” that medical cannabis promoted at least small improvements in sleep quality versus a placebo, and in pain levels, even for patients with chronic pain. |
Trigeminal neuralgia is usually treated with anticonvulsants, which are the same type of medicines used to treat seizures and epilepsy. Carbamazepine is a common first-line treatment, and has to be taken carefully, starting at a low dose and increasing gradually. Over time, carbamazepine may stop working as effectively. In these cases, a specialist such as a neurologist or neurosurgeon may look at alternative treatments for trigeminal neuralgia. These may include baclofen, pregabalin, or gabapentin, among others. In some instances, surgery may be a necessary step.
A Releaf consultant will not prescribe medical cannabis to replace carbamazepine or other existing treatments, but to augment an existing treatment plan and, in some cases, address associated symptoms such as sleeplessness and anxiety.
In the UK, trigeminal neuralgia cannabis treatment options include:
Oils
Pastilles
Dried flower for vaporisers
You can discuss which formats would suit you best, based on your known triggers for facial pain and your current symptoms.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a type of nerve pain, often caused by pressure on or damage to the trigeminal nerve. It may be caused by another condition, such as multiple sclerosis or a tumour.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), sometimes simply called temperomanibular disorder (TMD), can also cause pain in the jaw and face. However, this is usually musculoskeletal pain rather than nerve pain. It may be accompanied by clicking and popping, particularly when yawning or chewing. Medical cannabis for TMJ may be an option for some people, to help potentially ease pain and related symptoms.
Dental pain can occur very rapidly and may feel sharp and shocking like a trigeminal neuralgia attack. However, unlike trigeminal neuralgia, dental pain will usually continue for more than a few minutes. Toothache and nerve pain in the teeth and jaws will usually recur frequently or linger, rather than disappearing completely. Seek medical attention for clarification on what’s causing your pain.
Another condition that may be mistaken for trigeminal neuralgia is cluster headache. These also occur at one side of the face, but tend to focus around or behind one eye, with a burning, intense pain.
Medical cannabis, like all medications, may cause some side effects. These are usually mild and may include dry mouth, nausea, or dizziness. If someone’s pain triggers are linked to any of these side effects, they may not be a suitable candidate for medical cannabis treatments.
To see if you might be eligible for medical cannabis for trigeminal neuralgia, fill out the 30-second form on the Releaf website.
How Releaf works: After confirming your eligibility, you’ll be able to book a consultation with a Releaf specialist. Releaf’s world-class clinical team includes over 50 specialists, including experts in managing pain. Your consultant will assess your current treatment plan and symptoms, and decide if medical cannabis treatments are suitable for you. If you decide to go ahead, you can opt for a pay-as-you-go plan for your medication, or pay monthly via the Releaf+ scheme. Releaf+ offers significant discounts on your medication and a range of other benefits, including medical cannabis-related legal advice from our Releaf Protect team.
Discover more about trigeminal neuralgia and medical cannabis in the UK: contact our team or fill out the medical cannabis eligibility checker.
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