Medical Cannabis for Mental Health
Anxiety is one of the most common conditions treated with cannabis-based medicines in the UK*. However, these alternative treatments can also improve conditions such as PTSD, depression, eating disorders and OCD when applied appropriately. As a CQC-regulated clinic, our team of expert doctors are well-versed in the importance of mental health and wellbeing, and are here to give personalised care and support to each individual.
Am I eligible?
Mental Health
For those facing challenges with conditions like anxiety, PTSD, depression, or insomnia, conventional medicines may not be having the desired clinical outcomes, cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) offer an alternative path for patients who have found traditional treatments ineffective. While not everyone will be eligible for medical cannabis treatment, our specialist doctors are here to engage in personalised consultations, exploring the potential benefits of this alternative.
How Can Cannabis-Based Treatments Help?
Our clinicians are experts in prescribing our alternative medicines for mental health patients, and your condition must be treated under clinical supervision. Cannabinoids can interact with your brain’s serotonin production, which is responsible for balancing and stabilising mood, and have been shown to alter anxiety and fear responses. THC, the other major component in cannabis, can also be therapeutically applied to help treat or manage secondary symptoms of depression, like poor sleep and low appetite.
1/3
Of those in the UK’s largest medical cannabis study were treating anxiety in 2021.
8 million
million people have an anxiety disorder, and 18% experience anxiety at work.
58%
of patients reported a reduction in anxiety and stress following medical cannabis use
50%
reduction in depression scores noted in large-scale study after 3 months of CBPM treatment
Articles on Mental health
12. 07. 2023
Medical cannabis for depression explained
With rates of depression in the UK steadily rising, and only boosted by the recent pandemic, finding treatment solutions can be a daunting task. Now more than ever, it is important to understand all the potential symptom-reducing options available. One of those options may include adding medicinal cannabis as part of your therapeutic plan.
12. 07. 2023
Sam North
06. 07. 2023
How medical cannabis may help reduce anxiety
Anxiety disorders come in many forms, and they all share one thing in common. That is, they are on the rise. With one in six adults in the United Kingdom now diagnosed with some form of anxiety, the need for additional treatment options has never been more pronounced. Below, we will look at what anxiety is exactly, how it can affect you, and the possible ways medical cannabis may be able to help.Â
06. 07. 2023
Sam North
12. 07. 2023
The potential medical cannabis holds for eating disorder treatment
The vast majority of the global population has a healthy relationship with food, but the scourge of eating disorders is on the rise, with millions worldwide facing anorexia, bulimia, and other disordered eating behaviours. In the UK alone, current estimates suggest that around 1.25 million people are affected by some type of eating disorder.Â
12. 07. 2023
Sam North
What our patients say about us
Isabelle’s story: A pathway to clarity and calm with medical cannabis
Isabelle’s story is a reminder of the complexity of the human experience, and a true testament to how, when given the right tools, overwhelming long term health challenges can quickly become manageable. Read more
Condition Psychiatric
Subscriber 8 months
Peter's Story: Opioids vs. medical cannabis for chronic pain — A paradigm shift
Like so many people in the UK looking for alternative treatments for chronic nerve pain, Peter wasn’t aware that medical cannabis had been available in the UK on prescription since 2018. For years, he suffered with trigeminal neuralgia, an excruciating nerve condition, until a chance encounter that led him to Releaf’s doors, where he connected with doctors who understood the complexity of his condition. Read more
Condition Psychiatric
Subscriber 8 months
Georgia's story: From misdiagnosis to managing ADHD
Misdiagnosed with anxiety and depression in her early teens, Georgia spent years on medications that she never felt quite addressed the root of her struggles. Read more
Condition Psychiatric
Subscriber 10 months
Ollie's story: ADHD solutions for a father of three
Ollie is a 38-year-old father of three whose diagnosis with ADHD came only a year ago, sparking a profound reflection on the coping mechanisms he had adopted throughout his youth—most notably, his battle with alcoholism that led to a life-altering arrest for drink-driving at the age of 25 Read more
Condition Psychiatric
Subscriber 6 months
Hannah’s story: From pharmaceutical panic to plant-based positivity
At Releaf, we recognise just how much courage it takes to break free from social and societal norms and begin to advocate for your own healing. Read more
Condition Psychiatric
Subscriber a year
Maruis’s Story: Stability and Relief with Medical Cannabis Treatment
Maruis’s story is one of trauma, struggle, and resilience in the face of seemingly relentless health challenges. Diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and depression, along with osteoarthritis, he faced exhausting day-to-day battles, such as bouts of vivid night terrors and debilitating, life-limiting side effects from an exhaustive list of prescription drugs. Read more
Condition Psychiatric
Subscriber 8 months
Ben’s story: Freedom from pharmaceuticals with medical cannabis
Ben had been battling anxiety and depression for nearly two decades when, seven years ago, he was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Despite years of being prescribed pharmaceutical treatment options like SSRIs and opioids, he still felt weighed down by their side effects. Read more
Condition Psychiatric
Subscriber 5 months
Thomas’ Story: Allowing himself the space to relax through the fog of anxiety
Most of us love nothing more than a bit of rest and relaxation. That feeling of letting everything go, and just being in the moment. But for 36-year-old Thomas, finding the mental space to relax can be a bit of an issue. Read more
Condition Psychiatric
Subscriber 7 months
James’ Story: Sleep Solutions - journeying back to calm and clarity
At Releaf, we are dedicated to providing safe, effective treatments that enhance the quality of life for those navigating chronic health conditions. James’ story is an important one, because it draws attention to one of the most common and debilitating conditions faced by many of our patients: severe, chronic insomnia. Read more
Condition Psychiatric
Subscriber 9 months
For my kids: A proud dad’s battle against anxiety
Daryl is a young dad who suffers from anxiety and depression. For his kids, he knew he had to find a solution. After conventional medicines only made things worse, Daryl reached out to our clinicians at Releaf and began his journey with medical cannabis. Read more
Condition Psychiatric
Subscriber 9 months
Brandon's Comeback: influencer boxing and his fight against chronic anxiety
Brandon is a 27-year-old who has faced the challenges of anxiety, autism, Asperger's syndrome, and ADHD throughout his life. For many years, he felt isolated, and his conditions often prevented him from engaging in social circles and made him a target for bullying. Read more
Condition Psychiatric
Subscriber 8 months
Lauren’s Story: Freedom from anxiety and arrest
For far too many patients in the UK, finding legal treatment options that are effective and without the burden of heavy side effects can be difficult. To add to the struggle, navigating the complex healthcare and legal systems can often leave patients feeling lost and alone. Read more
Condition Psychiatric
Subscriber 9 months
Daisy’s Story: Prejudice, professionalism, and PTSD
As human beings, it's part of our intrinsic, instinctual nature to learn from those around us, and to use the experiences others have had to help guide or inform our own. And in the world of medical cannabis, this is no different. Read more
Condition Psychiatric
Subscriber a year
You’ll be Supported By an Expert Medical Team
“There is now good real world evidence that medical cannabis provides excellent mood uplifting effects as well as reducing the crippling effects of anxiety. When prescribed in a controlled manner in a clinical setting such as here at Releaf, patients have a clinical touch point with a Consultant so that, should their mental health deteriorate whilst in receipt of a prescription, their condition may be expertly managed without undue delay.“
Dr David Tang
Clinical Director
Common symptoms of psychiatric conditions
Anhedonia
Confusion
Excessive worrying
Fatigue
Hallucinations
Insomnia
Irritability
Loss of appetite
Obsessive thoughts
Panic attacks
Social withdrawal
Traumatic flashbacks
It's important to note that these symptoms are general and may not be exclusive to any specific psychiatric condition. Consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plans based on individual needs.