Medical cannabis (such as Curaleaf) has anyone tried this?

[CaraVann]

For many. many years I have struggled with several health issues which are making me miserable.

I have tried so many things to help, I eat well, drink only water, I exercise, I keep my weight down, go to bed at a reasonable hour and do all the things we are supposed to do for good health and well-being but still I struggle.

I have adhd, have struggled with anxiety and depression for most of my life, I have endometriosis and adenomyosis, awful daily IBS and hypermobile joints (possibly EDS). Thrown in perimenopause (I am 52 and have been in peri for 7 years) and it's fair to say that I feel like shit every day. I have tried hrt but it made the endo worse and have now been advised by my gynae not to take it.

I am also under a lot of stress helping to care for a parent with dementia and cancer which is certainly not helping my issues.

I have tried anti-depressants (they make me feel awful in the gut and exacerbate my digestive issues) and many off the shelf products. Years of counselling and endless cbt for my anxiety/depression. I exercise, listen to hypnotherapy and the Calm app every night. I also practise yoga every evening too.

Nothing has had a long term positive impact on any of my issues.

I am seriously considering something like Curaleaf medical cannabis. I have never tried drugs at all and the idea does scare me but I really don't know what else to do and I am getting nowhere with the NHS.

Has anyone tried this? Has it helped your health condition?

Releaf is probably the most expensive cannabis clinic in the UK so I'd advise posters considering MC to do their research carefully before picking a clinic.

@Elektra1 you have to give the clinic access to your medical records rather than a letter from your doctor.

Alternaleaf and Integro get good reviews & seems more reasonably priced.

Re being worried about Barrymore being out of it, I have oil for sublingual use from Releaf and they give you guidance on dosage, max of 1ml, 2x a day but you use what you're happy with and don't have to take 1ml.
The most I've had is 0.6ml for sleep when I've been really struggling to relax.

I’m prescribed it via curaleaf for cPTSD and have been for almost 2years now. Take thc oil at night, have weed to vape during the day (I tend to do this in evenings) as well as edibles which are really handy for when at work as it means I don’t have to vape. It’s been life changing for me and meant I could stop antidepressants.

My husband has mental health problems. Depression, anxiety and ADHD.

CannIbis made him 10x worse, he became totally addicted and would smoke as soon as he woke.

He started off with medical weed but started buying street weed soon after.

Its been 3 years now of him being clean and he still struggles with temptation.

Bumping as I'm interested those that use for anxiety. OCD autism Co morbidity's.

Ssris and anxiety drugs just don't particularly help so far

I’ve dabbled with prescribed cannabis oils for chronic pain, and the biggest thing I noticed was how much the absorption method changed the effect. Some people find powders or liquids like water soluble CBD easier on the stomach and more predictable, so it might be worth reading up on options like that while you figure out what dose or format works for you. I’d push for a doctor who’s willing to tweak things with you.

I’ve used CBD alongside my usual treatments, and it mainly helped me unwind and sleep better, which took the edge off my symptoms. I still can’t handle THC, so sticking to pure products made a difference. I tried Bulk CBD Isolate for making my own low-dose tinctures, and the consistency felt easier on my system than some mixed oils. If you try anything, go slowly and see how your body reacts.

Ordering CBD isolate from the US is importing it, which is legally risky because there are UK compliance standards in order for it to be legal and those standards aren't necessarily going to be adhered to by foreign suppliers.

Leafease could be worth looking into if you want proper guidance and a more structured route.It may be a good starting point if you want clear advice before making any decision.

My friend is trying to switch from Integro clinic to Curaleaf and is finding it a nightmare. She thinks it's due to someone with mental health issues committing suicide a while ago. Very stringent vetting unlike previously.

I've been on curaleaf for a couple of years for ptsd. Usually it makes my anxiety a lot better, but one time my regular prescription wasn't available and the alternative they sent me made me more anxious instead of less. Ended up chucking nearly 80 quids worth in the bin and doing without for the month! So I guess, like with pharmaceutical anti depressants, you might need to try a few in order to find the one that works best for you.

Your treatment will be supervised by a psychiatrist to check it's not having any adverse effects on your MH, but unless you already have a high tolerance you'll probably be prescribed something much weaker than the stuff that's sold on the streets and has the potential to induce psychosis. If you have a personal or family history of psychosis, you might not be eligible at all.

My friend went on it for eds at around the same time as me. It hasn't been a magic bullet, but we've both seen definite improvements.

The aim is to find the strain and dose that alleviate your symptoms without getting you high. This can take a little trial and error, so I'd suggest taking your first doses on a day where you don't have to go to work or do anything too taxing, just in case.

It might be worth looking into ADHD assessment services like ADHD Certify and speaking to them directly about your symptoms and history, as they can explain whether an assessment or support pathway would be appropriate and what the process involves.

I haven’t tried them but my concern is where they source the cannabis from? Do they have their own farms they grow ethically from or does it end up being sourced from the drugs trade?

They have their own strictly controlled farms or buy from other reputable medical grade cannabis farms. The UK is a big supplier of mm overseas! It's also imported from specialized farms in South Africa, Denmark, USA, Australia etc. No nasties like black market and irradiated to kill mould and bugs.

CBD, absolutely fine, I use it and it helps my fibromyalgia.

Medicinal cannabis, a close family relative was sectioned recently for using this. Developed psychosis, no family history, prescribed for anxiety and depression. Happened out of the blue. Working wonderfully, until it didn’t. Just be very careful. Not many users develop psychosis, but for those few that do, it’s life changing. Do your research. These companies that provide this, are making a fortune, it’s a business. Yes, they have guidelines, but tread carefully is my advice.

I have EDS and I am prescribed medical cannabis from mamedica- they're really good.
This has been life changing for me. This is the only thing that actually helps the pain.
I would recommend the gummies or oil over the flower.

Go for it. Cannabis can be a miracle worker

Doctor here. I doubt this. Medical cannabis does not use ‘crazy’ weed strains that cause psychosis. This would only happen if there was a predisposition on the scale of there already being psychosis. What did they use it for?

As previously mentioned, anxiety and depression. Was told by psychiatrist who sectioned him that any cannabis can cause psychosis, if a patient is pre disposed to psychosis then the ‘cleanest’ cannabis available will trigger it. All to do with how the brain is wired apparently.

Hmmm I disagree with this but don’t want to doubt your relative’s experience

Thank you. I mean that sincerely, the last few months have been hell, I have doubts about the psychiatrist’s view, but it’s hard supporting someone who is recovering from an awful psychosis break. He is staying with me, and has been since discharge. He is on anti psychotic drugs, which have been lowered. He’s doing well, I just don’t know what to think about medicinal cannabis going forward.

The UK is a huge exporter of medical cannabis. Theresa mays husband’s company exports medical cannabis.

You think medically prescribed cannabis is bought off the local dodgy dealer? Stop and think about that for a second. People’s thinking skills on here shock me daily.

No, I of course don’t think it’s bought off a local dodgy dealer, but there is a long line of criminality behind that and I don’t know where or if the two intersect.

People’s thinking skills on here shock me daily too.