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Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition involving intense pelvic pain. Other symptoms include:
- Sudden strong urges to pee more often than usual
- Pain in your lower tummy which is relieved when you pee
- Difficulty peeing
- Sometimes there may be blood in the urine
The difficulty with this condition is it can be hard to diagnose as the above symptoms can sometimes be caused for other conditions. As there’s no specific test for IC, a range of other tests need to be done to rule out other conditions before IC is diagnosed. As you can imagine this can be very frustrating for patients who just want relief from the pain that may be worsening their quality of life.
As medical cannabis can be prescribed for chronic pain, it may be a potential option for IC bladder pain treatment in the UK. Since 2018, medical cannabis has been legally available on prescription through licensed clinics like Alternaleaf for 50+ conditions. You can find out if you’re eligible by completing the quick eligibility checker on our website. Below we’ll be exploring medical cannabis for interstitial cystitis (IC).
Can Medical Cannabis Help with Interstitial Cystitis (IC)?
The potential benefits of cannabis for pain can be remarkable for some people.
Tetrahydrocannabinolis (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of over 100 cannabinoids, compounds found in the cannabis plant. They’re active compounds that can cause effects throughout the body, and you’ll see them often when researching medical cannabis. The main difference is that THC can produce a ‘high’, while CBD doesn’t. And remember, whilst there is evidence to give a general idea of how both THC and CBD may react with the body, they can affect every individual differently.
Put very simply, medical cannabis works by harnessing cannabinoids to bind to pain receptors and nerve cells. This slows down the pain response, in turn easing discomfort.
It’s possible to therefore potentially reduce chronic bladder pain, urinary urgency, and pelvic discomfort. But, evidence is currently quite limited, which is why our mission at Alternaleaf is to push medical cannabis into the mainstream. We hope by shining a light on the potential of this incredible plant, more research will emerge to show what medical cannabis can really do.
How Cannabis Works in Managing IC Symptoms
The endocannabinoid system, or the ECS, is a messenger and receptor system that is integral to homeostasis (the management of balance) within the human body. Research suggests that the ECS influences and modulates mood, appetite, sleep, pain, and much more. That’s why medical cannabis can potentially work for so many different conditions.
One of the core components of the ECS are the cannabinoid receptors, which includes CB1 and CB2. They’re one of the main reasons behind why cannabis works so positively on so many different conditions. Many experts believe that, by consuming compounds like CBD and THC, it’s possible to interact with these receptors in the body, and modulate things like bladder pain.
CBD for Bladder Inflammation and Pain
CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and can potentially be a promising therapeutic option for IC patients. This lab study demonstrates molecular anti-inflammatory effects in human-derived bladder cells, and also suggests it’s possible that medical cannabis could help calm irritated tissues and reduce spasms.
But, while CBD exhibits promising anti-inflammatory effects at the cellular level, we still need direct clinical evidence.
THC for Urgency, Sleep, and Pain Relief in IC Patients
THC and sleep can go hand-in-hand. There’s research that implies it can induce sleep. When these cannabinoids bind to receptors in the brain, they send messages to increase levels of sleep-promoting adenosine and suppress the brain’s arousal system, causing you to feel sedated or sleepy. And for someone who suffers from chronic pain or IC, getting some sleep could drastically improve their quality of life.
THC also typically reduces the amount of REM sleep you get, which in turn reduces dreams. If you spend less time dreaming, you’ll spend more time in a “deep sleep” state, which is thought to be the most restorative, restful part of the sleep cycle.
Best Cannabis Strains and Ratios for Interstitial Cystitis
Just like with a lot of other conditions, IC can come with a variety of different symptoms. So, some people may be looking to consume medical cannabis for bladder pain relief. Others may be wanting to consume medical cannabis for pelvic inflammation. And others may be looking to relieve both of these symptoms, maybe even more. And this - the fact that everyone experiences different symptoms of the same condition - is why it’s not a simple answer when deciding which strain is best for IC relief.
So, the ratio of THC and CBD for IC symptoms will vary depending on the individual and their symptoms. Your clinician will work with you and advise on the best levels of CBD and THC for your condition. Remember, you may not get it right the first time. It’s important to find a dose that’s suitable for your body and individual needs, so that you can get the most effective results and reduce the chance of side effects.
And as always, we recommend you start low and go slow.
Some factors that may influence your ideal dosage include:
- Weight and body size
- Metabolism
- Your medical condition or symptoms
- The strength or ‘potency’ of the medical cannabis
- Whether you’re new to medical cannabis, or have built up some tolerance over time
- Your chosen/recommended method of consumption
It’s also important to keep in mind that both THC and CBD can play a lead role on certain health conditions, and can sometimes work together to produce better effects, due to a phenomenon known as the entourage effect.
Is Cannabis a Replacement for Conventional IC Treatments?
Medical cannabis can often work best when taken alongside other treatments. So, unless you’re advised by your Doctor or clinician to stop taking other forms of medication, we recommend starting low and slow with medical cannabis alongside any existing medication you’re taking. It’s important to never stop taking any form of medication suddenly unless instructed to do so by a medical professional.
If you’re not already taking any medication, that’s fine too - as long as you’ve been offered two conventional treatments for your condition, we can prescribe. We understand there are plenty of valid and fair reasons why you may turn down a prescription.
Also, remember, that exercise and diet may be helping to ease your symptoms. If they are, try and stick to those routines once you start consuming medical cannabis, as again you may find the two complement each other.
UK Legal Pathways to Access Medical Cannabis for IC
Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 1st November 2018, but it needs to be prescribed by a specialist doctor, usually from a licensed clinic like Alternaleaf. To be eligible, you’ll need a diagnosis for a qualifying condition such as IC, and to have been offered at least two conventional treatments for this condition. This can include medication, talking therapy, physiotherapy, surgery and anything else prescribed by your GP.
You may be looking at medical cannabis, as you found the above to be ineffective or poorly tolerated. But keep in mind you don’t need to have tried any of the above - we understand there are plenty of valid and fair reasons why you may turn down a prescription. So, as long as they’ve been offered, it’s enough to qualify.
Just because it’s legal in the UK, doesn’t mean it’s legal everywhere. It’s always a good idea to check if you’re travelling somewhere, what their rules and laws are around medical cannabis.
IC is one of 50+ conditions we can prescribe medical cannabis for at Alternaleaf. Other conditions include chronic pain, anxiety, depression, ADHD or autism. We offer expert guidance throughout your medical cannabis journey to ensure safe and effective use. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second eligibility checker.
Summary
So that’s a small snapshot of medical cannabis for chronic pelvic pain. And whilst there is some evidence that shows some potential benefits of medical cannabis for IC, and how it may potentially help ease some of the symptoms, every individual is different and a lot more research is needed.
The best thing to do is speak to your clinician, or seek the help of a licensed medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf if you’re considering medical cannabis treatment. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second eligibility checker.