OCD Treatment Options: Natural Remedies, Therapy, and Medical Cannabis Explained

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, isn’t just about being neat or organised, it’s a complicated, often debilitating mental health condition that affects around 750,000 people in the UK.

And yet, despite how common it is, it is still widely misunderstood.

Real OCD is far more than just quirky behaviours; it is an incredibly distressing condition to live with and has real-world implications for those going through it. From deep-seated compulsions to intrusive thoughts, it is a condition which affects people differently.

Thankfully, as people’s understanding of the condition has grown, so have the treatment options available to help mitigate some of the more serious elements of OCD. Here, we’ll explore what OCD is, the causes, and offer insights into emerging natural therapies, including medical cannabis that we offer here at Lyphe Clinic.

What Is OCD?

Put simply, OCD is a mental health condition where someone experiences obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. The condition is not limited to age or gender, it can affect everyone, from adults to children as early as six years old. Typically, symptoms start to show themselves during puberty or early adulthood.

OCD’s symptoms can be split into obsessions and compulsions. For instance, someone with OCD might have the compulsion to ensure things are perfectly aligned or arranged in a specific order, which may lead them to obsess over this in an attempt to reduce anxiety.

An OCD obsession might be to do with a fear of contamination, which leads to someone excessively cleaning to the point it disrupts their daily life. Obsessive, persistent, unpleasant thoughts are also a common symptom, though not as visual, they are awful for the person experiencing them.

OCD Myths

OCD is not just liking things in a particular way, nor is it easy to overcome with will power.

Comparing everyday habits to the distress of OCD leads to the trivialisation of something that is extremely distressing. How often have you heard people say, “Oh, sorry, I’m being a bit OCD”? This is usually said by people who don’t have OCD at all. 

Over time, this has led to a misunderstanding and underestimation of the severity that actual obsessive-compulsive disorders can have on a person’s life.

What Causes OCD?

Every person who has OCD is different, therefore, it can be hard to definitively know what causes it.

Some suggest that OCD is caused by lived experiences, whereas others believe the biology of a person is the cause, citing a lack of serotonin as a factor.

Personal experiences such as trauma, abuse, and discrimination can all trigger OCD, and if parents or carers suffer from it, younger people are more likely to be susceptible to developing it too. Ongoing anxiety and stress can also cause compulsions, and in some cases, pregnancy can trigger what’s known as perinatal OCD.

Ultimately, we don’t definitively know what causes OCD, but we do know how awful the lived experience of those who have it is. Thankfully, treatments are available. 

Traditional Treatment for OCD

As understanding of OCD has developed, so have ways to treat the worst elements of the condition. Several traditional treatments have been developed which have helped a great number of people.

A popular one is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). These talking therapies are done with a trained therapist. CBT involves focusing on thoughts and beliefs surrounding the behaviours and making the link so that the next time you feel the compulsion, you’re more in control.

ERP involves you thinking, talking, or doing things related to your obsessions. The goal is to build tolerance. ERP may feel uncomfortable at first, but it can be an effective treatment over time.

As well as talking therapies, medication can also help people. A popular one among people with OCD is SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), which are a type of antidepressant that has been shown to help with compulsions.

One of the newer clinical methods is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation which is a non-invasive technique that stimulates areas of the brain. By stimulating neurons it can help to alter brain activity.

Natural and Complementary OCD Treatments

While not standalone cures, there are lifestyle choices which can complement the treatment of OCD.

A good diet combined with regular exercise is generally considered to be a good thing for those with OCD, as are techniques such as meditation and mindfulness. Having a consistent sleep pattern and general day-to-day routine can also go a long way to managing anxiety and obsessive thoughts.

Educating yourself on OCD and finding support groups are both great ways of understanding the condition and meeting people who can empathise with your experiences, reducing that feeling of loneliness.

While combined they are great, all of these recommendations shouldn’t be seen as cures, but more supportive tools.

Medical Cannabis and OCD: What the Research Says

In recent years, there has been a growing acceptance and understanding of the power that medical cannabis can have on OCD and anxiety. 

This relates to the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a complex cell-signalling system that regulates bodily functions such as sleep and mood. This system was discovered in the 1990s by people researching THC. Research suggests that the ECS may play a part in OCD symptoms and has seen the arrival of new treatments.

Administered correctly in the right dosage, medical cannabis has been shown to reduce symptoms of OCD in some studies. For instance, one study found that inhaled cannabis reduced the severity of compulsions by 60% and intrusions by nearly half (49%). 

This potential breakthrough could be significant for those with OCD who have not found any benefits from traditional treatments.

It is important to note that medical cannabis must be prescribed under medical supervision. At Lyphe, we can facilitate safe access to medical cannabis, which can help those with OCD deal with the worst symptoms.

Is OCD Curable?

There is no cure for OCD, it is a chronic condition, however, that doesn’t mean that it cannot be managed with treatment or that those with the condition can’t live a relatively normal life.

Through holistic, natural obsessive–compulsive disorder treatments such as medical cannabis, people can enjoy a life that isn’t centred around those obsessive thoughts and compulsions.

When to Seek Help

The myths and trivialisation of OCD can make it hard for those who genuinely think they might have the condition to seek help. We advise people to seek help if they feel that these compulsions and thoughts they are having are affecting their quality of life. This is a sign that these behaviours could be more than just quirks.

An OCD diagnosis may seem scary, but know that there are huge amounts of support out there, as well as practical medications and exercises that can help to mitigate the condition.

At Lyphe, our team is there to support those who are looking to seek natural, alternative medications for their OCD and can help facilitate access to medical cannabis.

We’ll tailor treatment plans to address your symptoms and circumstances and will be there every step of the way to ensure you feel empowered. Our team of specialist doctors are on hand to provide advice and treatments from just £17.99 a month.

Take the Next Step Toward OCD Relief

Think medical cannabis might help? Don’t let this chronic condition dictate how you live, and seek treatment for OCD with us here at Lyphe. 

Start by using our quick eligibility checker. If you’re suitable, we’ll book you a video consultation with one of our specialist clinicians who will take you on your first steps toward better OCD management.