Imperial College London is one of the leading universities in the world, known for its high-quality research and teaching. In recent years, it has been at the forefront of medicinal cannabis research, exploring its potential therapeutic benefits and working towards understanding its mechanisms of action. The research at Imperial College London investigates various aspects of medicinal cannabis, including its effects on various medical conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and mental health disorders. The aim is to determine the efficacy of cannabis-derived compounds in treating these conditions and their potential side effects. One of the key research projects at Imperial College London is the investigation of the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This study aims to determine whether cannabinoids can help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in epilepsy patients. Other research at the Imperial College London focuses on the effects of medicinal cannabis on mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and depression. The researchers are investigating whether cannabis compounds can help improve mood and reduce anxiety levels in patients with these disorders. Alongside these specific research projects, Imperial College London is also engaged in broad-ranging research into the pharmacology of cannabis. This involves studying how the body responds to various cannabis compounds and how these compounds interact with each other. The research on medicinal cannabis at Imperial College London is carried out in strict accordance with UK law and regulation, ensuring the highest standards of ethics and safety. It contributes to our understanding of how cannabis and its compounds work in the human body, and may pave the way for new treatments for a variety of medical conditions. In conclusion, Imperial College London is making significant contributions to the field of medicinal cannabis research. Through a comprehensive and scientific approach, it is providing valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of cannabis and its various compounds.

The university has a number of research groups working on different aspects of medicinal cannabis, including the following:

• The Medical Cannabis Research Group is led by Dr. Istvan Nagy and is dedicated to understanding the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids and developing new cannabinoid-based therapies. The group has conducted research on the use of cannabinoids to treat a variety of conditions, including cancer, acute pain, and nausea and vomiting.
• The Centre for Psychedelic Research is led by Professor Robin Carhart-Harris and is dedicated to the study of psychedelic drugs, including cannabis. The center has conducted research on the use of cannabis to treat a variety of conditions, including anorexia, chronic pain, and OCD.
• The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) is a research institute that is closely affiliated with Imperial College London. The ICR has a number of research groups working on different aspects of cancer research, including the use of cannabinoids to treat cancer.

In addition to these specific research groups, there are a number of other researchers at Imperial College London who are conducting research on medicinal cannabis. This research is funded by a variety of sources, including the UK government, the National Institute for Health Research, and charitable foundations.

The research on medicinal cannabis at Imperial College London is helping to advance our understanding of the potential benefits and risks of cannabis use, and it is leading to the development of new cannabinoid-based therapies for a variety of conditions.

Here are some specific examples of medicinal cannabis research projects that are currently underway at Imperial College London:

• A clinical trial of a cannabinoid-based drug for the treatment of acute post-operative pain, nausea, and vomiting. This trial is being led by Dr. Istvan Nagy and is funded by the National Institute for Health Research. The trial is expected to be completed in 2024.
• A study of the effects of cannabinoids on cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment. This study is being led by Dr. Anguraj Sadanandam and is funded by the Cancer Research UK. The study is expected to be completed in 2025.
• A study of the use of cannabinoids to treat anorexia in patients with cancer. This study is being led by Professor Robin Carhart-Harris and is funded by the Medical Research Council. The study is expected to be completed in 2026.

These are just a few examples of the many medicinal cannabis research projects that are currently underway at Imperial College London. The university’s research on medicinal cannabis is helping to advance our understanding of the potential benefits and risks of cannabis use, and it is leading to the development of new cannabinoid-based therapies for a variety of conditions.

Imperial College London is a renowned institution that has been at the forefront of medicinal cannabis research in recent years. The research at Imperial College London investigates various aspects of medicinal cannabis, including its effects on various medical conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and mental health disorders ¹. One of the key research projects at Imperial College London is the investigation of the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of epilepsy. This study aims to determine whether cannabinoids can help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in epilepsy patients ¹. Other research at the Imperial College London focuses on the effects of medicinal cannabis on mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and depression. The researchers are investigating whether cannabis compounds can help improve mood and reduce anxiety levels in patients with these disorders ¹. Alongside these specific research projects, Imperial College London is also engaged in broad-ranging research into the pharmacology of cannabis. This involves studying how the body responds to various cannabis compounds and how these compounds interact with each other ¹. The research on medicinal cannabis at Imperial College London is carried out in strict accordance with UK law and regulation, ensuring the highest standards of ethics and safety ¹. It contributes to our understanding of how cannabis and its compounds work in the human body, and may pave the way for new treatments.

Learn more:

1. imperial.ac.uk2. icr.ac.uk3. imperial.ac.uk