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Was the number needed to treat for at least 30% pain reduction in a meta-analysis of inhaled cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain. The Journal of Pain
Evidence is strongest for short-term relief in selected neuropathic pain studies, supporting careful specialist review. The Journal of Pain
People aged 55 or over in the UK are estimated to be affected by peripheral neuropathy. NHS
Is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy in the UK. NHS
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
Pain that comes from the nerves
Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to, or problems with, the nervous system itself, rather than an injury to tissue. It can result from conditions such as diabetes, shingles, nerve compression, trigeminal neuralgia or peripheral neuropathy.
Because there are over a hundred types of peripheral neuropathy, symptoms vary. The pain can feel like burning or stabbing at times, and tingling or numbness at others — but it is often persistent and can be difficult to live with.
Neuropathic pain frequently responds poorly to ordinary painkillers, so a careful, individual assessment is important in finding the most suitable approach.
Recognising the impact
Common neuropathic pain symptoms
Neuropathic pain varies with its cause, but common features include:
- Burning or scalding sensations
- Shooting or stabbing pain
- Tingling or “pins and needles”
- Numbness in the affected area
- Heightened sensitivity to touch
- Disturbed sleep and fatigue
Conventional treatments
Conventional treatment options
Medication for neuropathic pain is different from ordinary pain relief. NICE-aligned options include:
- Treating the underlying condition where possible
- Amitriptyline or duloxetine as first-line nerve-pain medicines
- Gabapentin or pregabalin
- Nerve block injections in selected cases
- Physiotherapy and pain-management support
Although these options help many people, they are not enough for everyone. If neuropathic pain 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 neuropathic (nerve) pain?
Neuropathic pain has more supporting evidence than many other pain types, including research on cannabis-based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain. Where recognised nerve-pain medicines have not helped enough, a specialist may review whether medical cannabis is appropriate.
Where nerve pain persists despite standard, licensed options, a GMC-registered specialist can review your history and consider whether medical cannabis may help as part of your wider pain-management plan.
Cannabis-based medicines act on the body’s endocannabinoid system, which has a role in how the nervous system processes pain. Some people with treatment-resistant nerve pain explore this route when standard options have not helped enough, with response varying from person to person.
At CannaRelief, a GMC-registered specialist reviews your diagnosis, the cause of your nerve pain, previous treatments and current medicines before deciding whether a trial of treatment is appropriate.
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?
Moderate evidence (nerve pain)
Compared with general back or joint pain, evidence for cannabis-based medicines in chronic neuropathic pain is relatively more developed, though benefit still varies and is assessed individually.
- First-line nerve-pain medicines (e.g. amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin, pregabalin) are tried first.
- Neuropathic pain has relatively stronger supporting evidence than non-specific back pain.
- Treating the underlying cause, where possible, remains important.
Related support
Explore related neuropathic pain 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.
Questions
Neuropathic Pain FAQs
Clear answers on eligibility, suitability and legal prescribing in the UK.
Is medical cannabis legal for neuropathic pain 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 first-line treatment for nerve pain?
No. Treating the underlying cause and recognised nerve-pain medicines are tried first. A specialist may only consider medical cannabis where these have not provided enough relief, and after a full assessment.
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. A prescribing decision is only made after a full clinical assessment, 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.