Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a serious and often misunderstood mental health condition. Medical cannabis is sometimes prescribed privately in the UK for certain mental health conditions, including OCD, when conventional options have not provided sufficient relief.
This page explains what OCD is, what causes it, how it is usually treated, and how medical cannabis for OCD may be considered as part of a specialist-led, regulated care pathway.
OCD is a form of neurodivergence, much like autism and ADHD, where the brain functions differently to a neurotypical one and is characterised by a cycle of obsessions and compulsions.
Obsessions are intrusive thoughts that repeatedly enter the mind and cause significant anxiety or distress. Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in response to these obsessions, often in an attempt to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared outcome. It may temporarily relieve the anxiety but it does soon return, starting the cycle again.
In everyday language, OCD is frequently misunderstood and often used to describe being organised or a perfectionist. While compulsions can sometimes involve tasks like cleaning or tidying, those behaviours are not driven by preference but instead a fear that if it isn’t completed, the intrusive thought will happen.
There is no single cause of OCD. Research suggests it develops due to a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors. These may include:
As mentioned above, OCD is a cycle of obsessions and compulsions, which can vary from person to person.
It’s normal to have an intrusive thought but if it dominates your thinking and causes anxiety, it may be an obsession. Some common obsessions include:
To reduce distress caused by obsessions, you may feel like you have to do repetitive things, known as compulsions. Examples of compulsions include:
In the UK, first-line treatments for OCD typically include:
Medical cannabis is typically available as CBD, THC or a combination of the two. It is not currently available through the NHS for OCD but can be prescribed by a specialist doctor in the UK. CBD and THC are both cannabinoids, which interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS plays a role in a number of key functions in the body, including:
Therefore, taking cannabis for OCD may help some patients manage:
Responses vary, and not everyone will benefit. Careful assessment and monitoring are essential if you take medical cannabis.
There is no single recommended product for OCD. Treatment is tailored depending on your personal circumstances. You could be prescribed CBD, THC or a combination of both. There are also a number of formats available, including cannabis oil, flower, capsule and pill.
In your initial consultation, the clinician will assess whether you’re eligible and if so, what method may work best for you, whether that’s THC pills or CBD oil for OCD treatment.
Before taking medical cannabis, it’s important to check interactions with other medications. For example, antidepressants (SSRIs) are a common treatment for OCD. Taking CBD or THC may increase the concentration of SSRIs you take, increasing risk of side effects. Your clinician will assess what medication you already take and the interactions with medical cannabis before prescribing it to you.
Medical cannabis can work well with non-pharmalogical treatments, however, such as talking therapy or changes to lifestyle.
“After being left without medication by another clinic, I decided to switch to Medicann. Best decision I made, they were so quick and efficient in their replies and within days I've received my prescription. Communication afterwards has been equally as quick and the fast time frame (26hours total) from requesting my prescription to delivery is amazing.”
Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since November 2018 and can be prescribed privately by doctors on the specialist register. Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) may be considered when:
Medical cannabis for OCD is not routinely available via the NHS but may be accessed through a regulated private clinic such as Medicann.
No. Medical marijuana for OCD refers to prescribed, regulated cannabis-based medicines supplied legally and monitored by specialist clinicians.
No. Medical cannabis does not cure OCD. It may help some patients manage certain symptoms, such as anxiety or sleep difficulties, but outcomes vary and cannot be guaranteed.
With your consent, Medicann can communicate with your GP to ensure coordinated care. Medical cannabis prescribing is intended to work alongside, not replace, existing NHS care.
Medical cannabis may not be suitable for everyone. Factors such as certain mental health histories, current medications, or individual risk factors may affect eligibility. Suitability is always assessed case by case by a specialist clinician.
If OCD symptoms continue to affect your quality of life despite standard treatment, you may be eligible for a specialist assessment. Medicann Clinics is a specialist-led UK medical cannabis clinic offering benefits such as free consultations and same-day UK dispatch.
You can check your eligibility online today to get started.
