Medical Cannabis: Everything You Need to Know About Medical Cannabis on Prescription
The key facts at a glance:
1. What exactly is medical cannabis?
Find out what medical cannabis is, how the active compounds THC and CBD can ease symptoms and in which forms it has been available on prescription in Germany since 2017.
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2. How does medical cannabis on prescription work?
Discover how medical cannabis acts on the endocannabinoid system to ease pain, nausea and loss of appetite, and how the entourage effect can enhance the therapeutic effect.
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3. How do you obtain medical cannabis?
Find out how you can gain access to medical cannabis through medical consultation, approval from your health insurer, a prescription, purchase from the pharmacy and ongoing care.
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Medical cannabis is an exciting and increasingly discussed topic in the world of health. Since 2017, under certain conditions, it has been possible to get cannabis on prescription in Germany. But what exactly is behind this trend? How does the prescribing of medical cannabis work, which active compounds does it contain and for which conditions can it be prescribed?
In this article we clear up the most important questions surrounding medical cannabis and give you an overview of its use and benefits. Whether you are affected yourself or simply want to learn more about it – here you will get all the info you need.
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What exactly is medical cannabis?
Medical cannabis is basically nothing other than cannabis that is used specifically for medical purposes. It contains active compounds such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), which act on the body in different ways. THC is known for its psychoactive effects, while CBD is not psychoactive and has calming properties. These two cannabinoids can help to ease various symptoms and improve general well-being.
Since 2017, it has been possible to obtain medical cannabis in Germany. The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) regulates the cultivation, processing and distribution of medical cannabis. Doctors can prescribe it when other therapies have not been sufficiently effective or are not an option due to side effects. Typical areas of use are chronic pain, muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis, nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy as well as loss of appetite in AIDS or cancer.
Medical cannabis is offered in various forms, including dried flowers, oils, capsules and sprays. Choosing the right form depends on the individual needs and preferences of the patient. While the dried flowers are often smoked or vaporised, oils and capsules can simply be taken and offer a discreet and precise dosage.
How does medical cannabis on prescription work?
The way medical cannabis works is closely linked to the cannabinoids THC and CBD it contains. These interact with the endocannabinoid system in the human body, a complex network of receptors that regulates many physiological processes, including pain perception, appetite, mood and memory.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
THC is the best-known cannabinoid and is mainly responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. It binds to CB1 receptors in the brain and nervous system, which leads to a variety of effects, including pain relief, relaxation and a feeling of euphoria. These effects can be particularly helpful in the treatment of chronic pain, muscle spasms and nausea.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD is another important cannabinoid which, unlike THC, is not psychoactive. It interacts mainly with CB2 receptors, which are found in the immune system and peripheral nervous system. CBD has anti-inflammatory, anxiety-relieving and antiepileptic properties. It can help to ease pain and inflammation without causing the “high” associated with THC.
Synergy effects
One of the most fascinating properties of medical cannabis is the so-called entourage effect. This states that the combination of THC, CBD and other compounds contained in the plant can together have a stronger therapeutic effect than the isolated components alone. This means that a balanced blend of cannabinoids and terpenes may achieve the best therapeutic effect.
Uses and benefits
The effect of medical cannabis can be helpful for various illnesses and symptoms. These include, as already touched on, among others:
Chronic pain:
THC and CBD can ease pain and improve quality of life.
Muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis:
Cannabis can reduce muscle spasms.
Nausea and vomiting:
Especially in chemotherapy patients, cannabis can help to ease these symptoms.
Loss of appetite:
Cannabis can stimulate the appetite and counteract weight loss, which is particularly helpful in AIDS and cancer patients.
The exact effect of medical cannabis can vary from person to person, and it is important to tailor the therapy individually and to work closely with a doctor in order to achieve the best results.
How do you obtain medical cannabis?
How do you obtain medical cannabis?
The path to approval and prescription of medical cannabis can be complex, but with the right knowledge and support it is possible to gain access to this form of therapy. Here are the steps you should follow:
1. Medical consultation
The first step to obtaining medical cannabis is a conversation with your doctor. It is important that you openly discuss your symptoms and previous treatments. Doctors can prescribe medical cannabis if they believe it represents a sensible addition or alternative to conventional therapies. Especially in serious illnesses where other medications do not help sufficiently, cannabis therapy can be considered.
2. Approval by the health insurer
In Germany it is often necessary for the health insurer to approve coverage of the costs for medical cannabis. Your doctor will submit an application to your health insurer setting out in detail the course of the illness and the necessity of the cannabis therapy. The health insurer reviews the application and decides whether to cover the costs. In the event of a positive decision, you receive an approval that allows you to obtain the medication.
3. Prescription of medical cannabis
Once the approval is in place, your doctor can issue a prescription for medical cannabis. This prescription can cover various forms of cannabis, such as dried flowers, oils, capsules or specific products like dronabinol. Your doctor will select the appropriate form and dosage based on your individual needs and symptoms.
4. Purchase from the pharmacy
With the prescription you can obtain medical cannabis at a pharmacy. It is important to choose a pharmacy that has experience with cannabis as medicine and can advise you thoroughly. The pharmacy will provide the prescribed medication and, where necessary, give you instructions on use and dosage.
5. Ongoing care
Treatment with medical cannabis requires regular monitoring by your doctor. It is important that you discuss the effect and any side effects with your doctor so that the therapy can be adjusted if necessary. Your doctor will document the course of the illness and assess the effectiveness of the treatment.
6. Renewal of the prescription
Since medical cannabis is often only prescribed for a limited period, it is necessary to regularly obtain new prescriptions from your doctor. This requires ongoing medical care and, where applicable, further approvals from the health insurer.
Through close collaboration with your doctor and proper documentation, you can ensure that you receive the best possible care and can make optimal use of the benefits of medical cannabis.
Here once again are all the important pieces of information from this section: To obtain medical cannabis, you need a medical consultation and approval from your health insurer. Once the approval is in place, your doctor can issue a prescription that you redeem at a specialised pharmacy. The treatment requires regular monitoring and, where necessary, renewal of the prescription.
Frequently asked questions about medical cannabis
Here we would like to answer a few more of the most frequently asked questions about medical cannabis, to give you an even better and more compact overview of the topic.
Medical cannabis can be prescribed to patients who suffer from serious illnesses and for whom conventional therapies do not work sufficiently. Typical indications are chronic pain, muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis, nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy as well as loss of appetite in AIDS or cancer. Cannabis is also used in specialised outpatient palliative care.
Medical cannabis can be prescribed in various forms, including dried cannabis flowers, oils, capsules and synthetic cannabinoids such as nabilone. The choice of form depends on the individual needs and the course of the illness.
Products such as our activated carbon filters from Medusafilters can improve the smoking experience of medical cannabis by reducing harmful particles and ensuring a smoother smoke. This is particularly advantageous when using cannabis in the form of dried flowers.
Approval for medical cannabis is given by the health insurer. Your doctor will submit an application describing the course of the illness and the necessity of the cannabis therapy. After review by the health insurer, you receive an approval if the requirements are met. The prescription of cannabis is then issued by your doctor.
Yes, side effects can occur, including dizziness, fatigue and dry mouth. With an oily solution or capsules, the side effects can vary in intensity. It is important to carry out the therapy under medical supervision in order to find the right dosage and minimise side effects.
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Our Medusafilters verdict
Medical cannabis is a valuable therapy option for patients with serious symptoms when conventional treatments are not enough. Since 2017, patients in Germany have been able to get cannabis on prescription in order to ease symptoms such as chronic pain, muscle spasms, nausea and much more.
The approval and prescription of medical cannabis is carried out by the doctor and the health insurer. The various dosage forms, from dried cannabis flowers to synthetic cannabinoids such as nabilone, allow individual adaptation to the needs of the patients.
Products from Medusafilters, such as our activated carbon filters, can improve the smoking experience by reducing harmful particles. A well-monitored cannabis therapy that is used correctly can positively influence the course of the illness and improve quality of life. Handling cannabis correctly is crucial to achieving the best results here.