Medical cannabis: a lifeline for constant pain sufferers in the UK

Living with constant pain is like battling an unseen enemy that shadows your every move. It’s not just the physical ache; it’s the way it chips away at your energy, your joy, and your ability to live life fully. For many in the UK, conventional pain relief options fall short, leaving them desperate for something more effective. Since its legalisation in 2018, medical marijuana has emerged as a beacon of hope. But how can it ease constant pain, and what do you need to know before exploring this option? This blog post dives into the science, the benefits, and the practical steps to access it through MARUCANNA, all while shedding light on what makes it a unique choice for pain management.

What is medical cannabis?

Medical cannabis harnesses the therapeutic power of the cannabis plant to treat health conditions like chronic pain. Among the many compounds known as cannabinoids, two stand out for their ability to relieve pain:

• CBD (Cannabidiol): Non-psychoactive, it reduces inflammation and calms the nervous system without making you feel “high.”
• THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): Psychoactive, it tackles pain head-on and can lift your mood or help you sleep.

These compounds work by tapping into your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a natural network that regulates pain, inflammation, and even emotions. When constant pain throws your ECS off-kilter, medical cannabis steps in to help restore balance, dialling down discomfort and offering relief where other treatments might fail.

In the UK, medical cannabis is tightly controlled. It’s legal, but only specialist doctors can prescribe it, and it’s typically reserved for cases where standard treatments haven’t worked.

How medical cannabis eases constant pain

Constant pain, whether from fibromyalgia, neuropathy, or lingering injuries, doesn’t just hurt; it drains your spirit. Medical cannabis offers a multi-pronged approach to tackle it:

• Fights Inflammation: CBD and THC both reduce swelling, a common culprit behind chronic pain.
• Mutes Pain Signals: THC binds to receptors in your brain and nervous system, softening the intensity of pain.
• Boosts Emotional Resilience: Pain often brings sleepless nights and low moods. CBD promotes relaxation, while THC can improve sleep, helping you reclaim some peace.

Studies back this up. Research in the British Journal of Pain (2020) showed that chronic pain patients saw their pain drop by up to 50% with medical cannabis. Another study in the European Journal of Pain praised its knack for soothing neuropathic pain, a stubborn type that resists many drugs. Beyond numbers, it’s about quality of life: less pain means more moments to enjoy, not just endure.

Forms of medical cannabis: finding what fits

Medical cannabis is not universally applicable. It comes in different forms, each suited to specific needs:

• Oils: Dropped under the tongue, they absorb quickly for immediate relief and let you control the dose.
• Capsules: Swallowed like a tablet, they release slowly for steady, all-day pain management.
• Vaporisers: Inhaled for instant effects, though less popular due to lung health concerns.
• Topicals: Creams or balms rubbed onto sore spots, perfect for targeting local pain without affecting the whole body.

Your lifestyle and the type of pain you experience guide the choice. Widespread agony might call for oils or capsules, while a nagging knee could benefit from a topical. It’s about finding what slots seamlessly into your day.

Why medical cannabis stands out

Traditional pain relief methods, such as opioids or NSAIDs like ibuprofen, can be effective, but they come with certain drawbacks.

• Opioids: Potent but addictive, they risk long-term dependency.
• NSAIDs: Handy for short stints, yet prolonged use can harm your stomach or kidneys.

Medical cannabis sidesteps these pitfalls. It’s less addictive than opioids and gentler on your body than NSAIDs. Plus, it tackles the emotional toll of pain, something pills often ignore. Imagine someone like John, a 50-year-old with chronic back pain. After years of opioid haze, he switched to cannabis oil. “It’s not just less pain,” he says. “I’m not a zombie anymore; I can think, laugh, and be present.”

Things to weigh up before starting

Medical cannabis is not a panacea. Here’s what to consider:

• Side effects: You might feel dizzy, get a dry mouth, or notice appetite shifts. THC could bring mild euphoria or fatigue.
• Medication clashes: It might interact with drugs like antidepressants or blood thinners; check with your doctor.
• Determining the appropriate dose: It involves a process of trial and error, beginning at a lower dose and making adjustments under medical guidance.
• Legal limits: It’s prescription-only in the UK. Over-the-counter CBD isn’t the same as medical-grade cannabis.

Being informed keeps you in control and ensures it’s a safe fit for you.

Getting medical cannabis through MARUCANNA

In the UK, accessing medical cannabis starts with a specialist doctor’s prescription. Once you’ve got that, MARUCANNA streamlines the rest. Here’s the process:

1. Please send us your prescription

• Ask your clinic or pharmacy to send MARUCANNA a physical copy of your prescription.
• If they can’t, post it yourself. Photocopies or scans won’t do; the law demands the original.
• Your prescription is valid for 28 days from its issue date. If it expires, ring your clinic for a fresh one.

2. Purchase your cannabis prescription

• Once MARUCANNA has your prescription, they’ll email you a payment link.
• Pay online with a credit card via PayPal.

3. We’ll bring your medicine to you

• A courier schedules your delivery and sends a tracking number.
• Not home? Please consider rescheduling with the courier or using their app for updates.
• You’ll need to sign for it on arrival to confirm it’s in your hands.

4. Schedule a repeat prescription appointment on your calendar

• Mark when your supply’s running low; MARUCANNA suggests booking your next prescription 10 days before you’re out.
• Check with your clinic: do you need a follow-up, or can they issue a new one directly?

Could you be eligible?

If constant pain, like fibromyalgia or neuropathy, plagues you, and other treatments haven’t cut it, you might qualify. Curious? Check your eligibility on MARUCANNA’s page: https://marucanna.co.uk/check-eligibility/.

The UK legal picture

In the UK, medical cannabis has gained legal status since 2018, but its use is not unrestricted. Only specialist doctors have the authority to prescribe it, and it serves as a final option when all other options have failed. These rules keep it safe and effective for those who need it most.

A fresh start for pain sufferers

Constant pain doesn’t have to define your life. Medical cannabis presents an opportunity to alleviate the burden, elevate your mood, and rediscover the life you’ve been missing. It’s not about concealing pain; it’s about confronting it directly and bolstering your overall well-being. With MARUCANNA, getting it is clear-cut and reliable.

If pain’s been your uninvited companion, why not explore this path? Consult your physician, verify your eligibility, and discover whether medical cannabis could be the catalyst for your transformation. Life is too short to simply endure; relief may be closer than you may believe.