Patient Stories
We believe that the most powerful way we can educate people about medical cannabis is through the voices of our patients. Here you can read stories and watch videos from our Releaf community.
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 3 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 9 months
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 6 months
Chaos’s Story: From Fibromyalgia Pain to Relief with Medical Cannabis
For years, Chaos has lived with the debilitating effects of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. Fibromyalgia is only just starting to be properly recognised in the conventional medical community, even though it affects millions of people worldwide. Read more
Condition Pain
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 5 months
Omar's story: how treating both mind and body led to IBS solutions
Omar, 31, is a theatre director who, for years, has battled chronic pain and discomfort due to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. His story is an important one, because it highlights the difference between the holistic approach to healing that Releaf provides, and the conventional one that focuses on physical symptoms. Read more
Condition Gastroenterological
Subscriber 4 months
Into the Woods: Ryan’s story of pain and perseverance
Ryan’s passion is the outdoors, and there’s nothing he loves more than a long hike through the forest with his trusty dog. For years, Ryan’s pain disconnected him from the natural world. Now, his recent treatment with medical cannabis is finally offering hope. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 9 months
Music and medical cannabis: Regaining control after years of pain and anxiety
I've actually been on this journey since about 12 years old, when I first started getting my period. From my very first period, I experienced more than normal levels of pain, and I was bleeding throughout the month. Read more
Condition Gastroenterological
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 2 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 9 months
Elisei's story: A father turns to medical cannabis to heal from a work-related injury
Have you ever been forced to work through an injury? To just grin and bear it? This is a decision that thousands of people in the UK face every day. For so many of our patients suffering with chronic pain, taking months off work to heal from work injuries was never a realistic option. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 3 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 7 months
Matt's Story: From curly kale to medical cannabis, how Michelin star chef Matt manages his MS
As humans, we like to learn from others because we feel inspired by them, because there is strength in numbers, and that’s something we’re naturally comforted by. And, at Releaf, sharing patient voices and their experiences with medical cannabis is something we’re committed to, for exactly these reasons. We want to champion our patient’s voices to diversity the conversation, covering all sorts of health conditions treatable with medical cannabis, by speaking to patients one on one about how their health, life, and overall wellbeing, has changed since becoming a Releaf patient. Read more
Condition Neurological
Subscriber 6 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 6 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 7 months
Ryan’s Story: Taking strides treating sciatica with medical cannabis
One of our core values at Releaf is pushing patient voices to the forefront, and to continue our commitment to doing so, this week we spoke to Ryan, a 31-year-old Brightonian who recently took the plunge, and became a Releaf patient. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 7 months
Educating through experience: How Hollie uses medical cannabis to manage her chronic pain
One of our primary goals at Releaf is to remove the stigma associated with medicinal cannabis, and that’s why Hollie’s story is so important. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 7 months
Rhona's story: From chronic pain to finding strength for gardening and living
Rhona's story is one of resilience and determination. After years of battling through chronic pain and sleeping issues without being able to find a real diagnosis, Rhona was coming to the end of her rope. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 8 months
Josh’s story: Fighting back after a surgery gone wrong
Having your health taken away from you, through no fault of your own, is terrible - especially for someone so used to being extremely active. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 8 months
Maxim’s Story: A Path Through Chronic Pain
I’m Maxim, a 20-year-old from Haywards Heath, with a passion for sales. I’d say I’m a pretty outgoing, yet, ordinary person. I’m enthusiastic about work, and I love to be sociable and meet up with my friends or go out with my girlfriend, like most twenty-something's do. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 8 months
Do you have a story to share?
If you're a patient with Releaf and you're happy to share your story with us, then we want to hear from you.
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