Men’s Health Week 2023: How can CBD help to relieve symptoms of common health conditions?
The purpose of Men’s Health Week is to increase awareness about common physical and mental health issues that affect men and to provide solutions to address them. According to The Mental Health Foundation, one in eight men suffer from a mental health condition, whilst 64% of men only seek medical attention if their condition is severe. This comes with little surprise when our research revealed that 66% of men have become accustomed to living with pain and discomfort. Now more than ever, it’s crucial we educate men about the various treatment options available for long-term health issues, including holistic options like medical cannabis. This article explores the potential of CBD as a relief of symptoms linked to chronic pain and sleep disorders as well as its capacity to support individuals living with certain mental health conditions.
Chronic pain management
According to research by Mamedica, 47% of men in the UK have lived with a chronic health condition for over five years and have not found a remedy that works. Due to its potential analgesic properties, it has been considered to provide a potential alternative to conventional pain management strategies.
According to research from the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis, around 3 million people in the UK regularly use CBD as a holistic alternative to prescription medication when it comes to relieving the symptoms associated with chronic pain. CBD is a compound found in cannabis plants and, unlike THC, is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t make you feel ‘high’. CBD can be used to ease symptoms related to chronic pain, migraines and more.
Sleep disorders
Insomnia affects one in three people in the UK, yet an increasing number of people are opting against traditional medication routes. In fact, 51% of Brits revealed to Mamedica that they find it hard to sleep at night but do not want to use prescription medication as they make them feel groggy.
For those looking for a holistic and natural alternative to prescription medication, medical cannabis can help. Research from the Insomnia Severity Index found that medical cannabis can help to increase sleep time and quality. Certain compounds of cannabis, particularly elements in CBD, have relaxing and sedative effects. One recent study found that cannabis shortens the time it takes to fall asleep, both for people with sleep problems and people who fall asleep without trouble. Among people with active difficulty falling asleep, cannabis use resulted in an average of 30 minutes less time in falling asleep and lengthened deep sleep.
For some sleep-related issues, they can be more prevalent among men such as insomnia and sleep apnea, however, cannabis can be prescribed to relieve this. Medical cannabis is known for its sedative properties and the drastic improvement it can provide for improving sleep quality and addressing sleep disorders. CBD has also been known to have a positive improvement on insomnia and anxiety-induced insomnia, providing a more restful and deeper sleep.
Mental health support
One in eight men face unique challenges in addressing mental health concerns due to social stigma and reluctance to seek professional help, however, there are holistic options available that can help to ease symptoms of anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that medical cannabis and CBD can help to improve low-mood symptoms associated with depression to overall benefit men’s health. This works by boosting the release of serotonin in the brain, resulting in stabilised mood and over time, positive wellbeing.
If you’re wondering how cannabis-based prescription medicines (CBPMs) can support you, check your eligibility for treatment with Mamedica here. If eligible for medical cannabis treatment, you’ll be offered a virtual consultation with one of our specialist doctors who will assess your medical history and condition before prescribing a bespoke treatment plan for your concerns.