Cannabis Clinic of the Year 2026 – Business of Cannabis Awards
New Patients
Patient Log In

Neuropathic Pain and Medical Cannabis

Neuropathic pain arises from damage or dysfunction in the nervous system, leading to persistent shooting pain, burning sensations, tingling, or numbness.

A wide range of treatments is available, depending on the cause. Where first-line treatments have not produced an acceptable outcome, a specialist clinician may consider medical cannabis as part of a wider, individualised treatment plan, following a full clinical assessment.

What is Neuropathic Pain?

Neuropathic pain is a long-term pain condition. It happens when nerves are damaged, or when they send pain signals when they shouldn’t. This can cause symptoms such as burning, tingling, shooting pain, numbness, or extra sensitivity in the affected area.

Neuropathic pain affects around 7 in every 100 people in the UK. It can be triggered by several causes, including diabetes, traumatic injury, and nerve compression.

Neuropathic Pain and Medical Cannabis: The Facts

16-26%
of patients with diabetes also experience neuropathic pain [1].
Almost 10 million

people in the UK suffer with daily pain which seriously impacts their quality of life [2]

What Causes Neuropathic Pain?

Diabetes is the leading cause of neuropathic pain. However, other causes of neuropathic pain include:

  • Long-term health conditions, such as alcohol-related nerve damage, facial nerve problems, HIV or AIDS, and conditions affecting the central nervous system, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease
  • Surgical procedures or trauma such as spinal nerve compression/inflammation, amputation, trauma from a car accident or other serious injury, damage caused during a surgical procedure or nerve compression from tumours.
  • Treatment for other diseases such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Neuralgia, which occurs when a nerve misfires and causes pain.

Is Sciatica the Same as Neuropathic Pain?

Sciatica is a type of neuropathic pain, also known as nerve pain, caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. Symptoms can include shooting pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that travels from the lower back down into the leg.

What are the Symptoms of Neuropathic Pain?

Common symptoms include shooting, burning, stabbing, or electric-shock-like pain. People may also notice tingling, numbness, or heightened sensitivity in the affected area.

Symptoms are often grouped into two patterns:

  • Allodynia: Pain caused by things that would not normally be painful, such as light touch, clothing against the skin, or cold air.
  • Hyperalgesia: An increased sensitivity to pain, where painful sensations feel much stronger than they normally would.

How is Neuropathic Pain Diagnosed?

To diagnose neuropathic pain, a GP or specialist will usually begin by reviewing your symptoms and medical history. They may ask about underlying health conditions, previous injuries, surgeries, or any symptoms such as burning, tingling, or numbness.

A physical examination may also be carried out to check reflexes, strength, sensitivity, and how the nerves are functioning. In some cases, further tests such as blood tests, scans, or nerve studies may be recommended to help identify the underlying cause and guide treatment.

How to Relieve Neuropathic Pain

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and the severity of symptoms. Most plans combine several approaches:

  • Lifestyle Changes: Adjustments to diet, sleep, exercise, and stress management may help reduce triggers and prevent symptoms from worsening.
  • Physical and Psychological Therapies: Physiotherapy, talking therapies, and other supportive treatments can help people manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
  • Medication: There is no single medication specific for neuropathic pain however, prescribed treatments may include antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, strong pain relief, or topical treatments.
  • Medical Cannabis: Where first-line treatments have not produced an acceptable outcome, a specialist doctor may consider medical cannabis as part of a wider, individualised treatment plan

How does Neuropathic Pain Affect People?

Living with persistent pain affects far more than the body. Because neuropathic pain can be unpredictable, many people find it hard to work, socialise, sleep, or get on with everyday activities. Frustration, exhaustion, and isolation are common.

People living with chronic pain conditions may also experience anxiety, low mood, or sleep problems. These can sometimes affect overall wellbeing as much as the pain itself.

Many people find relief with conventional treatments. For others, symptoms continue despite trying first-line therapies. Where this is the case, a specialist clinician may discuss further options as part of a wider, individualised treatment plan.

You can visit our testimonials page to read real-life patient experiences with medical cannabis.

"Life before medical cannabis was isolating, it was painful and above all it was tiresome. I can’t put into words how much medical cannabis has changed my life”
Hannah Curaleaf Clinic Patient

Medical Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain

Since 2018, specialist doctors working in private clinics in the UK have been able to prescribe medical cannabis to eligible patients. Medical cannabis may be considered for some people with neuropathic pain who have not found sufficient relief from other treatments or who have found existing treatments unsuitable due to side effects or other factors.

Cannabis contains naturally occurring compounds called cannabinoids, which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system — a network involved in regulating functions such as pain, mood, sleep, appetite, and immune response. The two most well-known cannabinoids found in cannabis are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

THC and CBD interact with the body differently and may affect people in different ways. THC may help alter how pain is experienced, while CBD is being studied for its potential role in supporting pain management, sleep, and inflammation in some patients with neuropathic pain.

However, medical cannabis is not suitable for everyone and is only prescribed following a full assessment by a specialist clinician.

Do terpenes help with neuropathic pain?</H3>

Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds found in many plants, including cannabis. They are responsible for distinctive aromas and flavours, and over 100 different terpenes have been identified in cannabis alone.

Preclinical research has investigated the activity of certain cannabis-derived terpenes, including linalool and geraniol, in laboratory and animal models of nerve pain [5]. These are early-stage findings in non-human models and cannot be extrapolated to clinical practice; clinical trials in people would be needed before any conclusions could be drawn.

Research Regarding Medical Cannabis and Neuropathic Pain

Research into medical cannabis and neuropathic pain is still developing. However, several studies have explored how medical cannabis may affect people living with chronic pain conditions
Data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry examined changes in pain, sleep, anxiety, and overall quality of life in chronic pain patients prescribed medical cannabis [6]. The findings suggested that some patients experienced improvements in these symptoms over time during treatment.

While further clinical trials are needed to better understand the relationship between medical cannabis and chronic pain, real-world patient data continues to play an important role in helping researchers understand how treatments may affect people in everyday clinical settings.

What are the Side Effects of Medical Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain?

As with any medicine, medical cannabis may cause side effects. Reported effects can include dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, headaches, and changes in appetite or mood. Some side effects may be serious. Effects can vary depending on the formulation, the dose, and the individual patient.

Research from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry has collected data from patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), reporting adverse events in around 7.8% of patients when followed up for 6 months. Nausea and headaches were among the most commonly reported [6].

Before any prescribing decision is made, a specialist clinician will review current medications to assess the risk of interactions and potential side effects. Patients should keep their full healthcare team informed about all treatments they are taking and report any new or worsening symptoms promptly.

Can I be Prescribed Medical Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain?

In the UK, medical cannabis is an unlicensed medicine. It can only be initiated by a specialist doctor on the GMC Specialist Register, and only where licensed treatments have not produced an acceptable outcome for the individual patient. Any prescribing decision is taken on a case-by-case basis after a full clinical assessment.

NHS access for neuropathic pain is currently very limited, so most patients are seen through private clinics. To find out whether a specialist consultation may be appropriate for you, complete an initial eligibility assessment with Curaleaf Clinic. The team will review your medical history and relevant health records. If you meet the criteria for assessment, you will be invited to speak with a consultant experienced in complex pain management.

References

[1] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE] (2026). Neuropathic pain – drug treatment. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/neuropathic-pain-drug-treatment/

[2] The British Pain Society (n.d.). Media Resources. Available at: https://www.britishpainsociety.org/media-resources/

[3] Milligan, A. L., Szabo-Pardi, T. A., & Burton, M. D. (2020). Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 and Its Role as an Analgesic: An Opioid Alternative?. Journal of dual diagnosis, 16(1), 106–119. https://doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2019.1668100

[4] Sic, A., George, C., Gonzalez, D. F., Tseriotis, V. S., & Knezevic, N. N. (2025). Cannabinoids in Chronic Pain: Clinical Outcomes, Adverse Effects and Legal Challenges. Neurology international, 17(9), 141. https://doi.org/10.3390/neurolint17090141

[5] Schwarz AM, Keresztes A, Bui T, Hecksel R, Peña A, Lent B, Gao ZG, Gamez-Rivera M, Seekins CA, Chou K, Appel TL, Jacobson KA, Al-Obeidi FA, Streicher JM. Terpenes from Cannabis sativa induce antinociception in a mouse model of chronic neuropathic pain via activation of adenosine A 2A receptors. Pain. 2024 Nov 1;165(11):e145-e161. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003265. Epub 2024 May 2. PMID: 38709489; PMCID: PMC11511650.

[6] Datta I, Erridge S, Holvey C, Coomber R, Guru R, Holden W, et al. UK medical cannabis registry: A clinical outcome analysis of medical cannabis therapy in chronic pain patients with and without co-morbid sleep impairment. Pain Pract. 2025;25:e13438. https://doi.org/10.1111/papr.13438

Written By

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions about Neuropathic Pain

Accordion Content

Peripheral neuropathy is a type of nerve damage affecting the nerves outside of the central nervous system. Common symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy include neuropathic pain, numbness and weakness.

Accordion Content

Foot numbness isn’t usually dangerous on its own, but it isn’t normal, and it can be a sign of an underlying condition that needs assessment. Numb feet are also more vulnerable to injury, which can lead to problems such as ulcers, especially in people with diabetes. Regular foot care and well-fitting shoes can help reduce this risk.

Foot numbness, weakness, change in colour, and weak or absent pulses may indicate poor blood supply to the foot and is a medical emergency requiring urgent assessment.

Accordion Content

Over-the-counter painkillers seldom give meaningful relief from neuropathic pain. The right medicine depends on the underlying cause, and people often need to try more than one treatment before finding the most helpful combination. Some people manage well without medication, using physiotherapy and talking therapies alongside lifestyle changes.

Learn more about Neuropathic Pain