The Medical Uses of Cannabis – What Has Been Established
Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) became legally available for prescription in the U.K. in 2018; however, there are still many restrictions and barriers for patients to access these types of medication. Clinical trials and research into the potential of medical cannabis as a therapeutic agent will help to determine what areas may offer significant therapeutic value.
The most well-established use of medical cannabis is in the management of chronic pain. Some examples of the type of chronic pain that may be treated with cannabis include arthritis, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, pain resulting from cancer or spinal injury, etc. Both THC and CBD interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to help regulate pain and inflammation.
Neurological Disorders
There are two major ways in which medical cannabis is prescribed in the U.K.: one is for the treatment of severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy (especially in children) and the other is for severe spasm caused by multiple sclerosis (MS).
Medical cannabis is sometimes prescribed to treat severe spasm in MS patients because of the fact that THC can help to relieve muscle stiffness, spasms and associated pain in patients who suffer from this condition. This can improve the mobility and overall quality of life for some patients.
Mental Health Disorders
Researchers have started to investigate the potential of cannabis-based treatments for several mental health disorders including anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sleep disturbances. CBD has anxiolytic properties and can produce a calming effect whereas THC may have a positive impact on sleep onset and trauma related symptoms. Because of the risk of adverse psychological reactions, cannabis-based treatments should be administered under close medical supervision in order to monitor the patient’s reaction.
Chemotherapy Related Symptoms
For many years, researchers have understood that medical cannabis can help alleviate chemotherapy related side effects including nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite. For patients suffering from cancer, and for patients with other serious conditions that result in severe weight loss, medical cannabis stimulates appetite and reduces nausea.
It is crucial to understand that medical cannabis is not a panacea and will vary in terms of efficacy based on the specific condition, dosage, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) ratio and the individual patient’s response. In the U.K., CBMPs are prescribed to patients only after all other treatments have been tried and only by specialist doctors.
Future Research and Expansion of Access to Medical Cannabis
As new research becomes available, and as regulations continue to evolve, we anticipate that medical cannabis will play a larger role in modern healthcare in the U.K. Therefore, staying up-to-date on the evolving knowledge base regarding medical cannabis will be essential in helping you to understand both the advantages and disadvantages of using medical cannabis.
Thank you for joining us for our latest news, research updates and insights on cannabis and medical cannabis in the U.K. Stay tuned for more information!