Therismos Medical Cannabis
Since November 2018, when medical cannabis was legalised in the UK, Therismos has been building a world-class team of knowledgeable cannabis professionals who have studied the plant and its medicinal and scientific uses.
Our Scientific Advisory Board of consultant doctors, pharmacists, scientists and regulatory experts is one of the strongest worldwide.
We explain medical cannabis clearly and concisely. We supply medical cannabis flower and cannabis oil products.
Please get in touch to learn about how we can work together.
Medical Cannabis for Patients
How to receive a medical cannabis prescription in the UK
If you don’t yet have a prescription but think that you would benefit from one, talk to your GP and ask if they can provide you with a referral.
You can also reach out to a specialist clinic established for the treatment of conditions where medical cannabis can have a therapeutic benefit.
To receive a prescription for medical cannabis in the UK:
Learn more
The History of Medical Cannabis
Cannabis is one of the oldest crops cultivated by humans for medicinal use. It has been used medicinally for Millenia and is described in ancient handbooks on plant medicine.
The medicinal use of cannabis was introduced to Europe in the mid-19th century by Irish physician, William O’Shaughnessy, who studied the medicine while working as a medical officer in Asia.
Medicinal cannabis adoption continued in the West through the early 20th century, with over 2000 cannabis medicines in circulation prior to US prohibition in 1937 (UK prohibition was in 1928).
Since November 2018, medical cannabis products have been classified as unlicensed medicines that can be prescribed as a ‘special’ under Regulation 167 of the Human Medicines Regulations in the UK.
As a rule, medical cannabis can only be prescribed to patients for which conventional treatment options have proven ineffective or were not tolerated. It is therefore important that specialist physicians are involved in a decision to initiate medical cannabis treatment.
Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
Medical cannabis interacts with your body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for intercellular communication in our bodies.
Put simply, it sends signals between cells, helping to maintain balance between different biological functions including sleep, mood, appetite, memory and more. Every human has an ECS, regardless of whether you have used cannabis products previously.
There are three key components that make up the ECS: endocannabinoids, receptors and enzymes.
Cannabinoid-like chemicals produced naturally by the body – often in response to physiological imbalances.
The cannabinoids in medical cannabis bind to the same receptors that endocannabinoids use which is why cannabis has an effect on humans.
Think of endocannabinoids as keys, and receptors as the locks they slot into. When a key (or a cannabinoid) fits a lock, it causes a reaction in the body.
- CB1 receptors exist in the brain and spinal cord, working to regulate appetite and memory, and to reduce pain.
- CB2 receptors are mostly found on immune cells, which circulate throughout the body and brain via the bloodstream.
Proteins that break down and recycle used endocannabinoids after the body has processed them.
Phytocannabinoids, Terpenes and Flavinoids
The phytocannabinoids, terpenes and flavinoids in medical cannabis interact with the ECS and other mechanisms to produce a therapeutic effect in the human body.
Naturally occuring chemical compounds in the cannabis plant commonly called cannabinoids. These compounds are predominantly responsible for the therapeutic effect of cannabis on the human body. E.g. delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
Compounds responsible for the way most plants smell and taste. They are abundant in cannabis as well as many herbs, fruit and vegetables. E.g. limonene, myrcene, pinene & linalool.
Compounds found naturally in fruit, vegetables and cannabis that are rich in antioxidants.
