Medical cannabis for Tourette's syndrome

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto, published by the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience demonstrates the effectiveness of cannabis in adults with Tourette syndrome.

What is Tourette syndrome? 

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics (blinking, grimacing, sniffing, stuttering, etc.). The first symptoms usually appear in childhood. This disorder was discovered in the 19th century by a French neurologist, Georges Gilles de la Tourette. In addition to vocal and motor tics, behavioral issues may also occur, including difficulty concentrating and paying attention, sleep and/or learning disorders, and panic attacks. There are medications designed to relieve symptoms, but to date, there is no cure for Tourette syndrome.

In this study, the researchers explain that they «evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of cannabis in 19 adults with Tourette syndrome.» They found that tics decreased by 60% and that among the 19 participants, the results for 18 adults showed significant improvement. They also state that «all study participants experienced significant symptom relief, particularly in the reduction of obsessive symptoms, anxiety, impulsivity, and rage episodes.»

This study is still in its early stages, but based on these results, the researchers explain that cannabis was generally well tolerated by the patients, and that the participants «experienced substantial improvements,» which is particularly striking given that most of the patients had, at least once, failed trials of anti-tics medications.

In addition, Olivier Bertrand, a general practitioner and addiction specialist and member of NORML France, recently pointed out on France Inter that cannabis used for medical purposes can treat various conditions, including glaucoma, Crohn's disease or Tourette syndrome, which is already being treated with cannabis in some U.S. states.

«Cannabis appears to be a promising treatment for tics and other symptoms associated with Tourette syndrome,» conclude researchers at the Canadian university.

Mehdi Bautier