/Logo%20G1.svg)
Compulsions were reduced after cannabis use in an app-based study of people self-tracking OCD symptoms. Journal of Affective Disorders
Anxiety linked to OCD symptoms fell after cannabis use in the same study. Journal of Affective Disorders
Of the population is affected by OCD — around 12 in every 1,000 people. OCD-UK
People in the UK are thought to be living with OCD at any one time. OCD-UK
Could treatment be suitable?
A specialist may assess you if:
- You have a diagnosed condition or an established clinical history.
- Standard treatments have not helped enough or were unsuitable.
- You are 18 or over and live in the UK.
- Your records allow a doctor to review previous care and current medicines.
Understanding the condition
More than liking things tidy
OCD has two main parts. Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, images or urges that repeatedly enter the mind and cause anxiety. Compulsions are the repetitive actions or mental rituals a person feels driven to perform to relieve that anxiety, such as checking, cleaning, counting or seeking reassurance.
These cycles can take up many hours a day and interfere with work, relationships and wellbeing. People often recognise the thoughts as excessive but find them very hard to resist.
OCD is very treatable, and the earlier it is recognised and addressed, the better the outlook tends to be. An accurate assessment is the first step.
Recognising the impact
Common obsessive-compulsive disorder (ocd) symptoms
OCD shows up differently from person to person, but common features include:
- Intrusive, unwanted thoughts or fears
- Repetitive checking, cleaning or counting
- Strong urges for order or symmetry
- Seeking frequent reassurance
- Avoiding situations that trigger obsessions
- Significant anxiety and distress
If you are struggling to cope If intrusive thoughts feel overwhelming or you are in distress, you do not have to manage alone. Support is available right now. Contact NHS 111, your GP or emergency services as appropriate.
Conventional treatments
Conventional treatment options
NICE recommends psychological therapy and, where needed, medication. Standard options include:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP)
- SSRIs such as sertraline, fluoxetine, citalopram, paroxetine or escitalopram
- Clomipramine where SSRIs are not suitable or effective
- Mirtazapine or augmentation strategies in selected cases
- Support for co-occurring anxiety, low mood or sleep problems
Although these options help many people, they are not enough for everyone. If obsessive-compulsive disorder (ocd) symptoms still affect daily life, a specialist assessment can help you understand whether another route may be suitable.
Specialist-led care
Can medical cannabis help with OCD-related symptoms?
Medical cannabis is not a recognised treatment for OCD. Where symptom burden remains high after recognised therapy and medicines, a specialist may review whether it could support co-occurring anxiety or sleep.
In some cases, a specialist may consider whether prescription medical cannabis could help with co-occurring symptoms, such as persistent anxiety or disturbed sleep, where standard options have not provided enough relief. Effects can vary from person to person, which is why specialist guidance matters.
At CannaRelief, a GMC-registered specialist reviews your diagnosis, history and current medicines, and will only consider treatment as part of a wider, carefully monitored plan.
Effects can vary from person to person, which is why a GMC-registered specialist reviews your symptoms, goals, medicines and records before deciding whether treatment may be appropriate.
1
Eligibility screening
Tell us about your diagnosis, symptoms and treatments already tried. No GP referral is needed.
2
Specialist consultation
A GMC-registered specialist reviews your records, goals, current medicines and relevant risks by online video.
3
Decision and follow-up
When treatment is appropriate, outcomes and side effects are monitored and the plan is reviewed.
Evidence
What does the evidence say?
Developing evidence (co-occurring symptoms)
Evidence for cannabis-based medicines in OCD is still developing and does not yet support it as a treatment for core OCD symptoms. Any consideration relates to co-occurring difficulties.
- ERP (a form of CBT) and SSRIs are recommended first-line for OCD.
- OCD-specific evidence is still developing; it is not a core-symptom treatment.
- A specialist reviews history and current medicines before any decision.
Related support
Explore related obsessive-compulsive disorder (ocd) support
These pages may help if symptoms overlap or you want to understand the wider specialist assessment pathway.
Safety
Possible side effects
Medical cannabis is prescribed under specialist supervision, and patient experience can vary. Your clinician will explain what to watch for and adjust your plan if needed.
- Decreased appetite or feeling sick
- Diarrhoea or weakness
- Dizziness or feeling very tired
- Behavioural or mood changes
They’ll usually ease on their own, but speak to your clinician if they don’t improve over time.
Medical cannabis is not a recognised first-line treatment for OCD, and the evidence base for OCD specifically is still developing. NICE-recommended treatments such as CBT with ERP and SSRIs should be tried first.
Questions
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) FAQs
Clear answers on eligibility, suitability and legal prescribing in the UK.
Is medical cannabis legal for OCD in the UK?
Medical cannabis has been legal to prescribe in the UK since November 2018, but only a specialist doctor on the GMC Specialist Register can prescribe it, and only when it is clinically appropriate. Eligibility does not guarantee a prescription.
Is medical cannabis a proven treatment for OCD?
Where OCD symptoms continue to affect daily life, a specialist may consider whether medical cannabis could help with co-occurring symptoms such as anxiety or sleep difficulties, alongside recognised options such as CBT with ERP.
Do I need a GP referral to be assessed?
No GP referral is needed. You can complete a short online eligibility check yourself, and we will keep your GP informed where you would like us to.
Is an online assessment as reliable as in person?
Yes. Our structured video assessments follow the same recognised diagnostic standards used in face-to-face appointments, with the added convenience of being seen from home.
Will medical cannabis be prescribed if I am eligible?
Not necessarily. Passing the eligibility check means a specialist can assess you. A prescribing decision is only made after a full clinical consultation, and treatment is not suitable for everyone.
Find out whether a specialist assessment may be suitable
Complete a short eligibility check. A prescribing decision can only be made after a full clinical assessment by a GMC-registered specialist.