Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) medical cannabis treatment

OCD, or obsessive compulsive disorder, is a mental health condition characterised by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. OCD can affect people of all ages, and in many different ways. Conventional, licensed treatments help most manage their day-to-day life with OCD, but for those who have been unable to find success with these options may be eligible for new medical cannabis treatments at Releaf.

Am I eligible?

1 in 50

People are estimated to experience OCD at some point in their lives, which would equate to around 1 million people in the UK.

10th

Most debilitating illness on quality of life a person can have in 2006 by the World Health Organisation.

93%

Of people with OCD involved in a statistical analysis reported a reduction in compulsions and anxiety with cannabis.

Over ⅔

Of UK adults would consider medical cannabis if their doctor recommended it, says representative research.

Symptoms

Anxiety

Compulsive behaviours

Feeling stressed or panicked

Intrusive images or urges

Repeated behaviours or routines

Unwanted thoughts

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms. Please speak with your GP to find out more.

Treatment options:

When treating obsessive compulsive disorder, talking therapies, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), are commonly used to help people face their obsessive thoughts and work towards lessening their impact on everyday life. There are also a number of medications that may be prescribed to help balance brain chemicals, such as SSRIs and antidepressants.

Citalopram

Clomipramine

Escitalopram

Fluoxetine

Mirtazapine

Paroxetine

Sertraline

Find out if you may be eligible for medical cannabis OCD treatments here
Am I eligible?

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A word from our specialist

"OCD is a mental health condition characterized by repetitive and intrusive thoughts, images and impulses which cause a great deal of distress for the individual. These could be thoughts about contamination, dirt and germs for example – resulting in behaviours such as cleaning, handwashing etc as a response. This can go on endlessly, throughout the day affecting all aspects of the individuals’ life - including work and home life.

Standard treatments for OCD include medication and CBT; however, they may not suit everyone and indeed they can be ineffective for some individuals. Medical cannabis can be helpful in treating the anxiety/ distress associated with the symptoms of OCD. For a lot of individuals this could be the first time that they are able to relax in years!"

Dr Vijay Delaffon

Psychiatry

Find out if you may be eligible for medical cannabis OCD treatments here
Am I eligible?

Articles on Obsessive compulsive disorder (ocd)

13. 07. 2023

Can CBD help manage OCD symptoms?

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an often misunderstood and misrepresented mental health condition characterised by symptoms such as extreme anxiety, obsessive intrusive thoughts, and compulsive behaviours. This condition can affect people of all ages and genders, and can have been seen in children as young as six.

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. 

05. 07. 2023

How to know if CBD is working for anxiety

CBD (a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in both hemp and cannabis), has quickly become a popular natural therapeutic option for anxiety sufferers worldwide. Despite the need for further research into the cannabinoid before making any definitive statements regarding its effectiveness in reducing anxiety, the available data suggests that CBD may provide relief for a broad range of anxiety-related issues. 

How may medical cannabis help OCD symptom management?

People who live with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) experience patterns of intense and unwanted thoughts or fears, called obsessions. These obsessions often lead to the development of repeated behaviours, or reactions to the obsession, which are called compulsions. Compulsions can impact or impede day to day life, and acting out these compulsions typically becomes a coping mechanism to dealing with obsessive thoughts. 

But recently, evidence suggests that medical cannabis or cannabis-based products may be of benefit to people with obsessive compulsive disorder. This is because one of the biological networks that is involved in regulating our moods and emotions is the endocannabinoid system. This is the same system, or network, that carries cannabinoids like THC and CBD around the body after they’re administered. 

Although evidence in this area is still being uncovered, currently, it appears that when cannabis cannabinoids are used appropriately and applied medicinally, they can impact neural activity. Findings suggest cannabinoids may be able to calm an overactive mind by balancing brain activity, and communication signals, after accessing the endocannabinoid system. 

This, in turn, can lessen the feeling of anxiety and relieve stress and possibly the intensity of compulsions, which may make daily life easier to manage. In the UK, those who have not been able to find similar results, or relief, with conventional OCD treatments may be eligible for medical cannabis. 

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