Luke’s Story: Finding peace of mind from social anxiety with medical cannabis

Can you tell us a bit about your health and the condition you’re being treated for?

I’d say I'm in pretty good shape, both physically and mentally. I go to the gym a couple of times a week, I’m a pescatarian, and I like to do lots of exercise. I've also got three bicycles and an electric scooter, so I’m out and about quite regularly.

However, I do also suffer from anxiety, mainly social anxiety. I have a little issue with getting to sleep and slight insomnia as well, but the main reason I sought treatment was for my social anxiety. 

How did you first find Releaf? 

I was originally prescribed some beta blockers by my doctor, but they didn't really work. So I went back and then came to see you guys.

I was already aware that the UK is one of the largest producers of medical cannabis. So, after looking into that a bit deeper after lockdown, I discovered that some laws had changed a few years back that allowed doctors to prescribe medical cannabis for certain diagnoses. 

I used to live in America too, and I already knew a bit about the medicinal cannabis route from there. So, it became a case of weighing up the costs and anxiety of accessing cannabis on the black market versus going through it legally speaking. 

The legal route seemed like a pretty good route to go down to me! 

What impact has your medical cannabis treatment had on your day-to-day life and wellbeing, so far? 

My day-to-day life hasn't changed a crazy amount because I was still buying from the black market beforehand. The main difference now is the legal process and the fact that I've got doctors available to reach out to. 

It's definitely made me less anxious and feel a lot happier now that I know it's all going through a legal process. I can just jump online, order my meds, know they’re going to arrive in the post with a tracking number, and it's all a completely legal process. 

It’s offered much more peace of mind than I've ever had before in my life. 

What sort of dosing routine do you typically follow when taking medical cannabis for social anxiety? 

I'd say it depends on how I feel. But there are certain rituals I follow. 

For me, I particularly enjoy taking it on Sunday mornings when I’ve got nothing else to do. But, other than that, I generally take it when I'm feeling anxious or stressed. 

Going to see my girlfriend, getting the train, walking around central London, or going to an art gallery, it's nice to have the portability of a vaporiser to take while I’m out and about.

I can just have a vape outside wherever I'm going and feel a lot more relaxed than I normally would be.

Have you noticed any impact on your ability to sleep?  

Yes, very much so. 

Everything I have been prescribed by Releaf has been very, very good. They've all been fantastic products that are doing exactly what they're supposed to do: helping me sleep, eat and relax.

How have you found the Releaf consultations and learning how to use your medical cannabis treatment?

Every one of the people I've spoken to from Releaf has been professional and helpful. 

There were a few admin issues to start with, mainly with the intermediary company that deals with the paperwork between my doctor and Releaf.

But the initial consultation was very good. The doctor I spoke to was very helpful and told me exactly what I needed to do. 

The doctors who I spoke to during my follow-up appointments were very nice as well. So yeah, all really good, helpful staff.

Have you experienced any stigma since starting your medical cannabis treatment? 

I haven't told my mum and dad about it yet because they're from a different generation and I don't think they really need to know. It's not something I would discuss with them unless they asked.

I'm 45. I don't have any fear of them. They're just from a different time, and it's not really a thing that ever lived in their world. 

My other family members, like my brother and sister, have known me for a long time, so nothing has really changed other than the fact that I've got a medical cannabis card now. My brother thought that was kind of cool. 

My friends have known me for 20 years too, so they already know about my personal and medical history. I'm not a drinker. Instead, I go off in the corner of the pub garden and have a little vape and come back. 

So no, I wouldn’t say I’ve experienced any stigma, really. Like I said, it's a different time now. The generations seem to be getting more and more tolerant of medical cannabis as they come through. My parents are probably going to be the last generation that feels intolerant towards weed. I hope so, anyway!

What have been the main differences you’ve noticed since taking prescribed medical cannabis? 

You can tell it's been properly grown in a lab. It’s been properly cut and looked after by people with gloves. It's a very clean product. 

There’s also that added reassurance you get from knowing where it comes from. I'm happy to pay that bit extra to get a clean product.

What advice would you give to someone considering a medical cannabis prescription for anxiety?

My advice would be if you think it’ll help you, and you don't mind going to see your doctor a few times before having a consultation, then absolutely go for it. 

If you don't mind doing all of that and going through a few admin hoops, the prescription you could get may give you peace of mind and allow you to live a happier life.

For more information on how medical cannabis may support patients with anxiety, visit our dedicated page on medical cannabis for anxiety.