Medical cannabis (THC) treatments for scleroderma

Scleroderma is the name for a range of conditions that cause hard, thickened areas of skin to develop due to an overproduction of collagen. Medical cannabis may help eligible patients to manage some of the symptoms it can cause, including chronic pain, reduced appetite and sleep disturbances.

What is scleroderma?

Scleroderma is a group of complex conditions caused by the body producing too much collagen. This buildup can make skin feel stiff, tight, thickened or scarred and, in some people, can result in symptoms that affect the blood vessels, joints, muscles, and internal organs.

While our immune system is usually busy fighting off infections and keeping us healthy, scleroderma is caused when it becomes overactive and starts attacking healthy tissue in the body. This is what’s known as an autoimmune condition.

When this happens, the immune system triggers the overproduction of collagen, which then leads to a process called fibrosis. It’s this process that causes the thick, hardened skin to develop, one of the most common symptoms of scleroderma.

There are also various types of scleroderma, which each present in different ways. 

The two most common are known as localised scleroderma and systemic sclerosis. So, let’s have a look at each of these individually. 

What is localised scleroderma? 

Localised scleroderma mainly affects the skin, muscle and bone under the skin. It can affect both children and adults, and there are two main forms of it: 

• Plaque morphoea: this condition is more common in adults and typically causes one or more discoloured patches to appear on the skin, anywhere on the body

• Linear morphoea: this condition can cause thickened skin to appear in lines on the arms, legs, forehead and scalp of children and may affect underlying bone and muscle

What is systemic sclerosis? 

Systemic sclerosis can affect internal organs and the circulatory system, as well as the skin. It mainly impacts women and usually develops between the ages of 30 and 50 years old. 

Unlike localised scleroderma, systemic sclerosis is rarely seen in children. But in a similar way to localised scleroderma, there are two main forms of it: 

• Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis: this condition comes on gradually and often starts as Raynaud's syndrome. It also tends to affect the skin on the hands, lower arms, feet, lower legs and face.

• Diffuse systemic sclerosis: this condition causes skin-related symptoms that can affect the whole body and is more likely to involve the internal organs

What symptoms does scleroderma cause?

Every patient experiences scleroderma in different ways. Symptoms can vary hugely depending on the specific type of scleroderma you have, how severe it is and which areas of the body are affected. 

One patient with localised scleroderma may notice one or more hard, discoloured patches of skin on their body. Meanwhile, another may experience issues beyond the skin, such as symptoms that affect their digestive system, heart or ability to sleep. 

For this reason, scleroderma symptoms often fall into three separate categories: skin-related issues, Raynaud’s syndrome, and other general symptoms that affect other areas of the body. 

Skin-related issues:

• Patches of thick, hard skin that may become discoloured

• Itching

• Tight skin that makes it harder to move your joints

• Hard lumps under the skin (calcinosis)

• Tiny blood vessels (spider veins) appearing just beneath the skin, called telangiectasia

• Painful sores on the fingers and toes (digital ulcers)

Raynaud’s syndrome:

• Sensitivity to cold or changes in temperature

• Fingers and toes that turn from white to blue to red (as circulation returns)

• Tingling, discomfort or pain, usually in the hands and feet

• Symptoms that can be triggered by stress and anxiety

Other symptoms:

• Swallowing-related issues 

• Heartburn and chest pain

• Nausea and vomiting 

• Weight loss

• Breathlessness and chest pain

• Joint and muscle pain

• Fatigue

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to seek advice from a medical professional. 

What treatments are currently available for scleroderma?

Since there is still no cure for scleroderma, the treatments for the condition are designed with two key goals in mind: manage the associated symptoms and minimise any damage to the surrounding tissues and organs.

Finding the right treatment for your diagnosis will depend on several factors, including the type of scleroderma you have and how it’s affecting your body. 

If you are experiencing more pain-related issues, for instance, you will likely need a different treatment plan to somebody with more hardened skin-related symptoms. 

Here's an overview of the main treatments available for scleroderma:

 

Many patients with scleroderma find that managing the condition requires a layered approach, working closely with a clinician to identify which treatments help to control specific symptoms. 

Keen to hear some first-hand experiences? Head across to our patient stories page to learn more about the types of treatments that have worked for our scleroderma patients.

Can medical cannabis treatment help with scleroderma symptoms?

Prescribed medical cannabis isn’t a cure for scleroderma, and cannot treat the underlying causes. But it may help as part of a wider treatment plan to alleviate certain related symptoms, such as chronic pain, anxiety and sleep disruption.

It does this through the two main active compounds it contains, known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

• THC is psychoactive and is associated with offering pain relief, improved sleep and reduced anxiety

• CBD is non-intoxicating and is better known for its potential anti-inflammatory effects, alongside its ability to support mood, sleep and overall wellbeing

Since scleroderma affects every patient differently, finding the right balance of THC and CBD is crucial to providing targeted relief. Medical cannabis isn’t right for everyone, so it’s important to adopt a personalised clinician-led approach when considering treatment. 

By working with you to assess your eligibility, your consultant will be able to start your treatment at a low dose in line with any existing scleroderma treatments you’re taking. They will then review the impact it’s having on your symptoms over time, adjusting the dose as and when required.

How does the endocannabinoid system relate to scleroderma?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signalling network that helps regulate many of our body’s processes, including how we experience pain, manage our mood and stimulate inflammation. 

The system involves two main receptors, CB1 and CB2. 

• CB1 receptors are mostly found in the brain and central nervous system

• CB2 receptors sit largely within immune cells

• Both receptors respond to the cannabinoids contained in medical cannabis, such as THC and CBD

The ECS is particularly relevant to scleroderma due to the impact these receptors appear to have on fibrosis, the process that’s triggered by an overproduction of collagen. 

Recent research has shown that the two receptors actually seem to work in opposite ways to one another: studies in mouse models suggest CB1 activation tends to promote skin fibrosis, while activating CB2 appears to protect against it. 

There are also several signs that indicate the ECS is genuinely out of balance in scleroderma. 

Both CB1 and CB2 receptors are overexpressed in scleroderma skin cells compared with healthy skin, as is one of the body's own cannabinoids (known as 2-AG). 

Levels of a metabolic enzyme called FAAH have also been shown to be abnormally low in the skin of people with scleroderma. This works by helping break down anandamide, another natural form of cannabinoid found within the body that interacts with the ECS.

Together, these findings essentially point to a system that isn't regulating itself properly.

This means CB2 receptors are currently of particular clinical interest, due to their potential in calming the inflammation and excess collagen production that lead to scleroderma.

What does research say about medical cannabis and scleroderma?

With scleroderma being such a complex condition, research into medical cannabis as a potential treatment is very much still in its early stages and has mainly come from laboratory and animal studies, rather than large human clinical trials.

That said, a growing body of evidence has explored several relevant areas. 

This has included research into how cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system, the impact they have on fibrosis and whether they can help alleviate related symptoms like pain, poor sleep and reduced appetite.

Here’s a quick overview of what the key studies have found over recent years: 

 

In 2025, we ran the largest survey of active UK medical cannabis patients ever conducted up to that point, and the results are also worth mentioning, as 92.2% of our 792 chronic pain patients rated prescribed medical cannabis as either ‘moderately effective’, ‘very effective’ or ‘extremely effective’. 

Am I eligible for UK medical cannabis treatment for scleroderma?

If you have been diagnosed with scleroderma and conventional treatments haven’t been able to adequately manage your symptoms, you may be eligible to receive a medical cannabis prescription. 

After the UK government decided to legalise medical cannabis back in November 2018, scleroderma is one of several conditions to qualify for this form of treatment. 

That said, eligibility is always assessed on an individual basis. So, here's a quick overview of what you'll need to meet our criteria here at Releaf, the most trusted UK medical cannabis clinic:

How is Releaf medical cannabis prescribed for scleroderma?

Our medical cannabis eligibility checker is the easiest way to find out whether you’re suitable for a medical cannabis prescription. It's free, takes around 30 seconds and could be your first step towards finding relief.

If you’re eligible to receive treatment for your scleroderma condition, you’ll be provided an opportunity to book an initial consultation with a member of our world-class clinical team. 

They will then discuss your condition, symptoms and medical history with you in more detail to see whether medical cannabis may be suitable for your condition. 

Want the full picture? Our prescription process walks you through everything, from the team behind your care to pricing and delivery times.

FAQs on medical cannabis for scleroderma

If you still have questions on scleroderma and prescribed medical cannabis, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the most common questions our consultants are asked about. 

Can medical cannabis help with symptoms caused by Raynaud’s in scleroderma patients?

While prescribed medical cannabis isn't a treatment for Raynaud's itself, it may be recommended to help ease related discomfort or pain. 

A specialist will be able to assess whether it's appropriate for your condition, based on your existing Raynaud’s-related symptoms and any medications you’re taking already.

Is medical cannabis suitable to take alongside vascular medications for scleroderma?

The answer to this really depends on your current medications and health. 

Medical cannabis can interact with other drugs, so this is something that a medical specialist will need to assess. By reviewing your full medical history and current treatments, they’ll be able to determine whether medical cannabis is suitable.

Can medical cannabis help with gastrointestinal symptoms linked to scleroderma?

While some small studies have shown an increased appetite in scleroderma patients when taking medical cannabis, it isn't recognised as a treatment for the related gastrointestinal problems it can cause.

So, make sure to speak to a healthcare professional for tailored advice.

Will medical cannabis slow the progression of scleroderma?

Not as far as we know. Medical cannabis isn't a treatment for scleroderma itself, and there's no solid evidence it slows the condition down. 

Where it may help is with some of the day-to-day symptoms that come alongside it, like chronic pain or poor sleep. 

What are the specific considerations for scleroderma patients with heart or lung-related issues?

If scleroderma is affecting your heart or lungs, it's crucial to seek tailored advice from a medical professional. They'll be able to look at your overall health and any medications you're taking before deciding whether medical cannabis is right for you.

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