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Medical Cannabis for Pain Management: Benefits, Risks, and Considerations 

PostedJuly 30, 2025
UpdatedSeptember 18, 2025
ByMy Patient Advice
Author: Julia Sutton, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Clarissa Morton, PharmD

What Is Medical Cannabis?

Medical cannabis refers to the use of cannabis-derived products, such as CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), for managing health conditions. In the UK, medical cannabis can be prescribed in specific cases where traditional treatments have failed.

Key Takeaway: Benefits & Risks of Medical Cannabis for Pain

Benefits: May reduce chronic pain, ease inflammation, improve sleep, reduce muscle spasms, and support appetite.
Risks: Can cause dizziness, fatigue, dependency, memory issues, and may worsen anxiety or psychosis in sensitive individuals.

How Does Medical Cannabis Work?

Medical cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates pain, mood, appetite, and sleep.

  • CBD: Non-psychoactive, reduces inflammation and anxiety.
  • THC: Psychoactive, provides pain relief but may cause side effects.
  • Full-Spectrum Extracts: Contain multiple cannabinoids, producing the “entourage effect” for stronger therapeutic results.

Benefits of Medical Cannabis for Pain

Research suggests medical cannabis may help with:

  • Chronic Pain Relief – neuropathic pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
  • Inflammation Reduction – through CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects.
  • Improved Sleep & Appetite – often disrupted in chronic pain patients.
  • Muscle Spasm Reduction – especially in multiple sclerosis and spinal injuries.

Risks and Side Effects of Medical Cannabis

While beneficial, cannabis is not risk-free. Possible risks include:

  • Short-Term Effects: Dizziness, fatigue, impaired memory, dry mouth.
  • Mental Health Risks: High THC may trigger anxiety, paranoia, or psychosis.
  • Dependency Potential: Regular use can lead to cannabis use disorder.
  • Drug Interactions: May interfere with medications like blood thinners.

⚠️ Important: Medical cannabis should only be used under medical supervision.

Who Can Access Medical Cannabis in the UK?

Medical cannabis prescriptions in the UK are limited but available:

  • NHS: Only for rare, severe conditions (resistant epilepsy, MS, chemotherapy-related nausea).
  • Private Clinics: More flexible, prescribing for chronic pain, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and PTSD.
  • Eligibility: Patients must demonstrate that standard treatments were unsuccessful.
  • Costs: Private prescriptions can range from £150–£300/month depending on dosage and product.

Forms of Medical Cannabis

Patients may receive:

  • Oils & Tinctures (most common)
  • Vapourised Flower (fast pain relief)
  • Topicals & Creams (localized relief)
  • Edibles or Capsules (slower onset, longer-lasting)

Dosage & Titration: What to Expect

UK clinics follow a “start low, go slow” approach.

  • Initial prescription may start with CBD oil, then gradually introduce low THC.
  • Dose adjustments are made every 1–2 weeks based on patient response.

Conditions Medical Cannabis May Help With

Beyond chronic pain, UK doctors may prescribe for:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Arthritis
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neuropathic pain
  • Anxiety & PTSD
  • Spinal cord injuries

Should You Consider It?

Medical cannabis is not a cure-all. However, for patients with treatment-resistant pain, it offers hope of improved quality of life. The key is medical guidance, realistic expectations, and careful risk management.

If conventional treatments have failed, exploring medical cannabis through a licensed UK clinic may be worthwhile.

Julia Sutton
Julia Sutton, MSc
Author

Julia Sutton is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and experience providing psychological assessment and therapy to adolescents and adults. Skilled in CBT, client-centered therapy, and evidence-based interventions, she has worked with conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and conversion disorder. She also has experience in child psychology, conducting psycho-educational evaluations and developing tailored treatment plans to improve learning and well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy. 

Dr. Clarissa Morton
Dr. Clarissa Morton, PharmD
Reviewer

Dr. Clarissa Morton is a licensed pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and experience across hospital, community, and industrial pharmacy. She has worked in emergency, outpatient, and inpatient pharmacy settings, providing patient counseling, dispensing medications, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Alongside her pharmacy expertise, she has worked as a Support Plan & Risk Assessment (SPRA) officer and in medical coding, applying knowledge of medical terminology, EMIS, and SystmOne software to deliver accurate, compliant healthcare documentation. Her skills span medication safety, regulatory standards, healthcare data management, and statistical reporting.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewers's privacy. 

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