Unlocking the Healing Power of Cannabis
At a glance
- What cannabis can help with (and what the evidence actually says).
- How cannabinoids like CBD and THC work in the body.
- Why formulation (oils, capsules, sprays, topicals) changes clinical outcomes.
- Where gold-standard trials exist (epilepsy, MS spasticity) and where evidence is still emerging (chronic pain, sleep, inflammation).
This page is educational and not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician, especially if you take other medicines.
Why medical cannabis? Evidence before enthusiasm
Medical cannabis is a fast-moving field. Some conditions now have robust, regulator-endorsed evidence (notably rare epilepsies and multiple sclerosis spasticity), while others remain “possible but unproven” and should be approached carefully. The strongest proof comes from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and regulatory assessments:
- Epilepsy (Lennox–Gastaut, Dravet, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex): Purified cannabidiol (CBD) significantly reduces seizure frequency as adjunct therapy; this led to licensed products in the UK and EU. European Medicines Agency (EMA)+2PMC+2
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity: Nabiximols (a balanced THC: CBD oromucosal spray) shows benefit in patients with moderate–severe symptoms unresponsive to first-line options; it’s licensed in the UK. MS Trust+2PubMed+2
- Chronic pain: Meta-analyses suggest modest average benefit with important uncertainties (heterogeneous products, small effects, adverse events). Guidance is mixed and evolving. Cochrane Library+2American College of Physicians Journals+2
- Broader landscape: The National Academies’ consensus report highlights both benefits and harms, underscoring the need for transparent risk–benefit discussions. NCBI+1
Cannabis pharmacology 101: meet the endocannabinoid system
Your body makes its own cannabis-like messengers—endocannabinoids (anandamide, 2-AG)—which bind to CB1 (brain, nerves) and CB2 (immune cells) receptors. Plant-derived cannabinoids can modulate this network:
- THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol): A partial agonist at CB1/CB2. Clinically useful for spasticity and chemotherapy-related nausea in some settings, but can cause dose-dependent psychoactive effects, dizziness, and cognitive slowing. NCBI
- CBD (cannabidiol): Low affinity for CB1/CB2; acts on multiple targets (e.g., TRPV1, 5-HT1A), and modulates neuronal excitability. High-purity CBD has anti-seizure activity in specific epilepsies. It can interact with liver enzymes (CYPs), altering levels of other medicines (notably clobazam and valproate). PMC
- Minor cannabinoids & terpenes (e.g., CBG, β-caryophyllene): Preclinical and early clinical signals exist, but robust, condition-specific RCTs are limited; claims should remain cautious. NCBI
Unlocking the Healing Power of Cannabis
How our products are designed to work
Oils & capsules (oral)
- Use-case: Chronic dosing where steady exposure matters (e.g., epilepsy, some pain phenotypes).
- Science: Oral CBD achieves systemic levels necessary for anti-seizure effects but may interact with other drugs; we formulate to achieve predictable absorption and clearly label interactions. PMC
Oromucosal sprays
- Use-case: Rapid, titratable relief of MS-related spasticity with balanced THC: CBD ratios (like licensed nabiximols).
- Science: Buccal absorption avoids some first-pass metabolism and allows flexible dose finding under clinical supervision. MS Trust+1
Topicals (targeted)
- Use-case: Localised symptoms (peripheral neuropathic pain “hotspots”, inflammatory flare areas).
- Science: Aim for high local concentrations with minimal systemic exposure; formal RCT evidence remains sparse, so we advise using topicals as adjuncts rather than as stand-alone therapy. Cochrane Library
Condition-by-condition: what the evidence supports
Drug-resistant epilepsies (LGS, Dravet, TSC)
- What we offer: High-purity CBD oil in strengths aligned with trial-based dosing ranges, packaged with drug–interaction guidance and liver-function monitoring protocols.
- Evidence snapshot: Multiple RCTs show significant reductions in seizure frequency vs. placebo as add-on therapy, enabling EU/UK approvals (Epidyolex). Typical adverse events: somnolence, diarrhoea, elevated liver enzymes (risk increased with valproate). European Medicines Agency (EMA)+2PMC+2
- Clinical caveats: Always co-manage with a neurologist; check baseline and periodic LFTs; review concomitant clobazam for sedation. PMC
Multiple sclerosis spasticity
- What we offer: Oromucosal THC: CBD spray in ratios modelled on licensed formulations; clinician-led titration; objective spasticity scoring at follow-up.
- Evidence snapshot: RCTs and real-world studies show meaningful reductions in spasticity scores in selected patients who fail first-line agents. NHS-licensed nabiximols set the precedent. MS Trust+2PubMed+2
- Clinical caveats: Screen for balance/cognition issues; avoid driving until the individual’s response is known.
Chronic non-cancer pain (mixed aetiologies)
- What we offer: Personalised regimens (CBD-forward or balanced THC: CBD), starting low and going slow, with explicit stop rules if benefits are modest or adverse effects appear.
- Evidence snapshot: Systematic reviews show small average benefits with low-to-moderate certainty; some newer analyses suggest cannabinoids may be similarly effective to opioids with fewer discontinuations, but data remain heterogeneous. Cochrane Library+2BMJ Open+2
- Clinical caveats: Set realistic goals (sleep, function, flare frequency). Build in trial periods and taper plans; watch for dizziness, dry mouth, and cognitive effects.
Inflammation (e.g., arthritis, IBD-related symptoms)
- What we offer: Adjunctive CBD-led approaches aiming to modulate inflammatory signalling while patients continue standard of care.
- Evidence snapshot: Preclinical and early human data suggest anti-inflammatory potential via immune cell and cytokine pathways, but large RCTs are limited—use as adjuncts, not replacements for disease-modifying therapy. NCBI
Formulation matters: bioavailability, consistency, and safety.
- Standardised dose ranges: We align strengths with those studied in RCTs (when available) and provide titration guides to achieve therapeutic exposure while minimising side effects. European Medicines Agency (EMA)+1
- Predictable pharmacokinetics: Food, GI transit, and first-pass metabolism change exposure—our labels include practical dosing advice to reduce variability. NCBI
- Interaction transparency: Clear CYP interaction warnings and monitoring schedules (LFTs where appropriate) are included in patient packs. PMC
Unlocking the Healing Power of Cannabis
Quality you can verify
While this page focuses on clinical science, quality underpins trust. Our products are manufactured to stringent pharmaceutical standards with independent lab verification and full batch traceability. (For our certifications, validated methods, and stability data, see our Quality page.)
Safety, side effects, and who should avoid cannabinoids
- Common, usually mild: Fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, diarrhoea, appetite changes.
- Less common but important: Cognitive slowing (THC), anxiety/paranoia at higher THC doses, liver enzyme elevations with CBD (especially with valproate). NCBI+1
- Avoid/Use with caution: Pregnancy/breast-feeding; significant psychiatric history, sensitive to THC; severe cardiovascular disease; complex polypharmacy without specialist oversight. NCBI
How we work with clinicians
- Eligibility & goals: We set functional goals (e.g., ≥30% reduction in seizures; ≥1-point improvement on the spasticity scale; improved sleep efficiency).
- Start low, go slow: Structured titration with scheduled check-ins.
- Measure what matters: Symptom diaries, validated scales, and adverse-event review.
- Review & refine: Continue, adjust, or discontinue based on objective benefit and tolerability.
Unlocking the Healing Power of Cannabis
Frequently asked questions
1) Will cannabis help my pain when nothing else has?
Possibly, but the average benefit is modest and varies by pain type. We set time-limited trials with clear goals and stop if you don’t achieve meaningful improvement. Cochrane Library+1
2) Is CBD the same as “medical cannabis”?
No. CBD is one cannabinoid. Some licensed medicines use purified CBD (for specific epilepsies). Other products combine CBD with THC and minor cannabinoids. The right choice depends on your condition and history. European Medicines Agency (EMA)
3) Can I drive while taking medical cannabis?
If your medicine contains THC, do not drive until you’re stable on a consistent dose and free from impairment; local laws apply. Discuss with your clinician.
4) How quickly will I notice an effect?
Oromucosal sprays can act within hours; oils/capsules may take days to weeks as doses are titrated. We plan reviews to adjust treatment safely.
5) What proof do you have that your products are “pharmaceutical-grade”?
Independent laboratories test every batch; processes are validated; and our documentation is inspection-ready. We publish Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) and stability data for clinicians on request.
Bottom line – Unlocking the Healing Power of Cannabis
Cannabis-based medicines are neither cure-alls nor placebos. For certain conditions—specific epilepsies and MS spasticity—high-quality trials and regulatory approvals support their use. For others—chronic pain, sleep, inflammation—the signal is more modest and patient-specific. We build our products and care pathways around this reality: rigorous science, transparent labelling, careful dose-finding, and measurable outcomes. That’s how we earn trust—from patients, clinicians, and regulators alike. NCBI+3European Medicines Agency (EMA)+3PubMed+3
Unlocking the Healing Power of Cannabis