Managing Post-Stroke Symptoms with Medical Cannabis
A Stroke is a serious life-threatening condition caused when the blood supply to brain is cut off. A Stroke is a medical emergency and urgent medical treatment is required to limit the damage caused.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms of a Stroke can be recognised using the
‘FAST’ acronym:
- Face - the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
- Arms - the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm.
- Speech - their speech may be slurred or garbled, or they may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you're saying to them.
- Time - it's time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.
After a Stroke, there is often sustained injury to the brain that can cause prolonged symptoms. These long-term problems can include:
- Disrupted communication
- Loss of spatial awareness
- Loss of memory
- Loss of vision
- Double vision
- Loss of bladder control
- Inability to concentrate
- Loss of executive function
- Problems swallowing
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Movement problems or paralysis
- Fatigue or insomnia
Cause and treatment
A Stroke is caused by a lack of blood reaching the brain. Like all organs, the brain requires the oxygen and nutrients delivered by the blood to function properly. When blood supply is restricted, brain cells begin to die, leading to brain injury, disability and even death.
There are two main causes of a Stroke: ischaemic – where the blood supply is stopped because of a blood clot (accounts for 85% of cases); and haemorrhagic – where a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain bursts.
The best treatment for a Stroke will depend on the type of stroke you have, including what part of the brain was affected and what caused it. A Stroke is usually treated with medication, including medicines that prevent and dissolve blood clots and reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. In some cases, procedures and surgery may also be necessary.
Strokes can lead to a number of long-term problems which may require a long period of rehabilitation to enable the patient to recover their former independence. However, they may never fully recover and may need on going support.
Medical Cannabis and Strokes
Symptoms, including Chronic Pain and Insomnia, can last for the rest of a person’s life following a Stroke. For people who are not seeing adequate results from first-line treatments, medical cannabis may help to manage some of these symptoms.
Our specialist physicians are experienced in assessing individual cases and helping to determine whether medical cannabis could be an effective option.
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Conditions Specialists
Dr Anup Mathew
Lead Psychiatry Specialist
Dr Anup Mathew
Consultant Psychiatrist | Clinical Lecturer
M.D., MA, MSc, BSc (Hons), MRCPsych, FHEADCP, MDCH, DCBH, PGCDM, PGCCE, MAcadMEd
Dr Mathew is a Community Psychiatrist in the NHS responsible for providing medical psychiatric support to a multi-disciplinary Primary Care Mental Health Service across East and North Kent.
Dr Mathew has extensive knowledge of mental health legislation having completed an MA in Medical Ethics and Law. He was appointed by the Ministry of Justice as a Medical Member of the First-tier Tribunal in the Social Entitlement Chamber. Dr Mathew also has a special interest in PTSD and Military Psychiatry having completed an MSc in War and Psychiatry and trained with the Royal Marines Reserve.
Dr Mathew was awarded Membership of the Academy of Medical Educators and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy following his involvement in medical education which included being a University Lecturer.
As a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Addictions Faculty, Dr Mathew has qualifications and expertise in the management of alcohol and drug misuse, particularly with co-morbid mental health problems. Due to his expertise, Dr Mathew is a Medical Examiner and Health Examiner for the General Medical Council.
Dr Mathew holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy and he is also a qualified Medical Hypnotherapist. He incorporates a holistic approach in treatment that considers how biological, psychological and social factors impact on a person’s life and recovery journey. His work ethic has always been focused on trying to improve the outcomes of people with mental illness.
Dr Gerard Sinovich
Lead Pain Specialist
Dr Gerard Sinovich
Acute and Chronic Pain Management Consultant
MBBS, FRCA, FFPMRCA
Specialisms: Musculoskeletal pain; neuropathic pain; fibromyalgia; headaches; migraines; chronic neck, upper & lower back, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle pain; myofascial pain; inflammatory and connective tissue disorders; abdominal pain; pelvic pain; post-surgical pain and cancer pain.
Dr Sinovich qualified in anaesthesia and is professionally trained to treat different pain problems, particularly musculoskeletal pain and neuropathic pain. He is well renowned in his field following completion of specialised training in Pain Management at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, a world leading hospital in pain research and management.
Dr Sinovich is a pioneer in medical cannabis prescribing to chronic pain patients in the UK. He has extensive experience in prescribing medicinal cannabis over the last 3 years with training undertaken in Canada. He has featured in cannabis health news, BBC news, and in the daily mirror on topics related to medicinal cannabis. He has presented various web-based seminars on medicinal cannabis to both patients and aspiring doctors wanting to enter the field of medicinal cannabis. He is involved in research trials to better understand the use of medicinal cannabis and making it more accessible to individuals with chronic pain.
Here are some interesting facts about Dr Sinovich:
- Granted Foundation Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FFPMRCA)
- Medical director of “Panacea Pain Relief Clinic” with consulting rooms at the Spire Clare Park Hospital, Frimley Park Hospital and Spire St Anthony Hospital
- Presented at numerous national anaesthesia and pain medicine conferences
- Member of the British Pain Society and of the European Society for Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine
- Faculty member of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCA), the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) and the Association of Anaesthetists (AAGBI)
- Local Pain Medicine Educational Supervisor responsible for teaching of undergraduate medical students in acute and chronic pain
Medical cannabis, legally prescribed
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FAQ’s
Answers to your most important medical cannabis questions.
Can medical cannabis help with stroke recovery or post-stroke symptoms?
Medical cannabis may help manage post-stroke symptoms such as muscle spasticity, chronic pain, anxiety, and sleep difficulties. At Cantourage Clinic, we evaluate each patient’s unique neurological condition to see if cannabis-based therapies could support their rehabilitation and improve overall comfort.
Is medical cannabis legally available for stroke patients in the UK?
Yes. In the UK, medical cannabis can be legally prescribed by a specialist doctor for chronic and complex conditions—including post-stroke symptoms—when traditional treatments have not been effective. Cantourage Clinic provides access to cannabis prescriptions within strict UK medical guidelines.
What stroke-related symptoms might benefit from cannabis treatment?
Cannabis-based medicine may help reduce muscle stiffness, manage neuropathic pain, support emotional wellbeing, and improve sleep quality. Our clinical team at Cantourage Clinic personalises every treatment plan based on your symptoms, health history, and recovery goals.
How can I access medical cannabis for stroke-related symptoms at Cantourage Clinic?
The process starts with a consultation. Our specialist doctors will review your post-stroke symptoms, medical background, and prior treatments. If you meet the criteria, we’ll provide a tailored cannabis-based treatment plan and guide you through legal access and ongoing support