Medical Cannabis Shows Promise for Chronic Pain in Hypermobility Disorders

A new study from the UK is giving hope to people living with hypermobility-related chronic pain. Researchers found that patients with hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) or hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) who were treated with cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) reported significant improvements in pain, sleep, and anxiety. These conditions, which cause joint instability and widespread pain, affect around 3% of the population—mostly women—and are notoriously difficult to treat with traditional medications.

The study, published in ACR Open Rheumatology, analyzed data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Researchers tracked 161 patients over an 18-month period, collecting self-reported results on their pain levels, sleep quality, anxiety, and overall well-being. Many of these patients had already tried and failed conventional treatments, making cannabis a potential lifeline. The majority of participants reported improvements within the first month of treatment, and these benefits often continued long-term.

Notably, more than a quarter of patients experienced a clinically significant drop in pain, and many reported better sleep and reduced anxiety symptoms. While around 30% of participants did report side effects—mostly mild ones like headaches or tiredness—there were no life-threatening issues. These results support what many cannabis patients have already been saying for years: medical cannabis can be a powerful tool in managing chronic pain and improving quality of life.

This research adds to the growing evidence that CBMPs may be especially useful for people whose pain hasn’t responded to other treatments. It also highlights the importance of continued study, especially with more rigorous randomized controlled trials. Currently in the UK, cannabis can only be prescribed when other treatments have failed, but findings like these may push the conversation forward and open the door to more accessible treatment options.

While more research is still needed, this study helps legitimize what many patients with chronic conditions have long known from experience: when used responsibly and under medical supervision, cannabis can change lives. For those living with the daily challenges of hypermobility-related disorders, it offers a much-needed sense of relief and renewed hope.

To learn more, sign up for our newsletter below.  To be part of the conversation, join us for our online Q&A event, Green Bridge Live!