Would you mind telling us a bit about your health and the condition you are being treated for?
Yeah, of course! I was first diagnosed with depression in my early twenties, over 30 years ago. That’s a long time ago now, and in that time, I’ve been given a range of different drugs, therapies and alternative therapies to try and help.
Some of these were good to start with and then not so good later on, which was a pattern I found that went on for years and years, before I ended up here at Releaf.
How did you come across Releaf or medical cannabis as a potential option for depression?
I knew it was out there, so I searched for it. I have a prostate cancer diagnosis as well, and I know that you can be prescribed medicinal cannabis products to help with that in some cases.
I was struggling really, and then you guys popped up, so it’s all been a bit serendipitous.
Which medical cannabis treatment are you currently taking, and how has your overall experience been so far?
I take flower through the vaporiser, and it’s been absolutely brilliant. It’s really helped!
I’m sleeping like an absolute log, which is fantastic and has made a lot of difference. I was spending most of my days in bed before, and I wasn’t really socialising. I wasn’t really doing anything, but I’m now up and about. I even did a bit of spring cleaning this morning!
I’m also finding work a lot easier to get through because it can be very stressful, and I just generally feel a bit more alive. Everyone I know has also been saying: “You look really good”, which is great to hear.
Would you mind telling us a bit more about your dosing routine?
I take my doses as I need. During the day, I’ll have my first vape at around mid-morning. I’ll probably then have three or four daytime vapes, before taking another couple throughout the evening. So, I’d say I’m probably having around five or six vapes a day at the minute.
What was it like learning how to take medical cannabis treatment for the first time?
I just started learning how to take it. I think vaping was very new at the time because I’d never vaped anything in my life.
I’m an ex-tobacco smoker, so vaping was a bit weird to start with, and I think the sensation is a little strange if you’ve been a smoker beforehand.
But I think using a vapouriser makes dosing more straightforward and safer than trying any other ways of ingesting it, because you know how much is in there and you get used to it over time.
How have you found your consultations with Releaf?
I’ve only had one consultation so far, but it was very easy indeed. I only joined Releaf about a month ago, but I’ve been really impressed. I’m hoping it carries on!
Have you told others about your medical cannabis treatment?
Yes, I have. In fact, my sister was really interested in having an initial consultation, so I gave her my code for Releaf’s refer-a-friend scheme, and she’s since received her first prescription. She’s struggled, like I have, for her whole life, so she’s really pleased.
Have you experienced any stigma at all from taking medical cannabis?
No, not at all. But I don’t really care about that anyway! I mean, I wouldn’t vape while going around the supermarket, but that’s more out of politeness.
Why have you decided to share your story?
I’ve been a big advocate of legalising cannabis for years and years, and I’ve been banging on about its medical uses to everybody I know, so I thought I’d put my money where my mouth is.
Sharing my story is, I guess, a good way of saying what I’ve always said, in that medical cannabis is a viable treatment option.
What advice would you give to someone who may be contemplating taking medical cannabis for depression, or may feel a little bit hesitant?
I suppose I’d just say, what have you got to lose?
If you get to the point where you’re thinking, I need some other kind of therapy or medication, you’d be given something by a doctor anyway in a different situation, and you would just take that without question.
So, I don’t see taking medical cannabis as any different to any other treatment you’d get from a medical professional. You just say: “Okay, I’ll give it a go.”
Is there anything you’re now looking forward to doing in the future that you may not have been able to do in the past?
Yeah, I see a lot more of a future now than I did. The future looked quite flat and grey before, but it’s starting to look a bit more chirpy. So, it’s great to be a patient; you guys have been fantastic!
If you would like to learn more about medical cannabis treatment options for the conditions mentioned in this Patient Story, please see medical cannabis for depression
