There are now estimated to be more than 100,000 medical cannabis patients in the UK. Find out if you qualify

Category: Conditions and Symptoms

Condition-led explainers that separate patient reality, evidence limits and specialist assessment.

Medical cannabis and stroke

Medical cannabis and stroke — MCPH article cover

What stroke is A stroke is a medical emergency in which the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted. There are two main types. Ischaemic stroke — about 85% of UK cases — is caused by a blood clot blocking an artery supplying the brain. Haemorrhagic stroke — about 15% — is caused […]

Medical cannabis for ALS (motor neuron disease)

Medical cannabis for ALS (motor neuron disease) — MCPH article cover

What ALS is Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), usually called motor neuron disease in the UK, causes progressive damage to the nerve cells that control movement, speech, swallowing and breathing. Cannabis research has examined symptom reports and animal models, but not a controlled treatment trial in people with ALS. Cannabis research on ALS (motor neuron disease) […]

Medical cannabis for Alzheimer’s and dementia

Medical cannabis for Alzheimer's and dementia — MCPH article cover

What Alzheimer's disease and dementia are Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for an estimated 60 to 70 per cent of cases. It is a progressive neurodegenerative condition characterised by the accumulation of extracellular beta-amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, accompanied by chronic neuroinflammation, synaptic loss, […]

Medical cannabis for diabetes and metabolic health

Medical cannabis for diabetes and metabolic health — MCPH article cover

What diabetes and metabolic syndrome are Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders defined by chronically elevated blood glucose (hyperglycaemia). Type 2 diabetes accounts for around 90% of UK cases and involves insulin resistance — cells become less responsive to insulin — combined with a progressive decline in insulin production by pancreatic beta cells. […]

Medical cannabis for HIV/AIDS

Medical cannabis for HIV/AIDS — MCPH article cover

What HIV/AIDS is HIV attacks CD4 immune cells. Antiretroviral therapy can suppress the virus and prevent progression to AIDS, but people may still experience appetite loss, weight loss, neuropathic pain, nausea and sleep problems. The cannabis studies in this register concern those symptoms and patterns of use, not treatment of HIV infection. Cannabis research on […]