Have you ever wondered if something a little outside the usual pharmacy aisle could help a twitch or verbal sound associated with Tourette’s? Well, researchers have certainly been scratching their heads, and then getting down to serious work — exploring whether medical cannabis offers a smoother ride for people living with Tourette syndrome (TS).
The initial findings have scientists and patients alike raising an eyebrow (in a good way!), as accumulating evidence suggests the plant’s compounds can deliver therapeutic relief by calming the brain’s overactive motor ircuits.
Studies strongly suggest that cannabis-based medicine (CBM) can significantly reduce tics and premonitory urges. CBM can also improve the associated conditions that often accompany TS. Multiple small studies also report that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-containing drugs) or roughly balanced ~1:1 THC:CBD are generally well-tolerated and don’t cause severe adverse events.
Despite the encouraging results, the Tourette Association of America (TAA) states that insufficient scientific evidence exists to reach a definitive conclusion on the overall efficacy and safety of medical cannabis for TS, particularly regarding its long-term effects on children and adolescents.
CBM may significantly help manage tics in adult patients with Tourette syndrome (TS) who find conventional treatments ineffective.
A 2023 double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study involving 22 adults with severe TS found an oral oil containing both THC and cannabidiol (CBD) led to significant reductions in both motor and vocal tics over six weeks compared to a placebo. One participant who took the active oil saw their total tic severity score drop by about 50%. This reduction level favorably compares with the effect existing antipsychotic drugs produce.
The study also found that patients experienced reductions in both anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) alongside the tic improvement. Depressive symptoms were not affected, but were low to begin with in this cohort.
Even a 2025 pilot study specifically examining adolescents with refractory TS found that a CBM oil showed significant improvements in parent- and clinician-reported tics and behavioral issues.
While the evidence promises tic suppression and symptom relief, researchers stress the continued need for larger, long-term randomized controlled trials; only these trials can fully validate CBM’s efficacy, establish optimal dosing, and confirm long-term safety, especially for children and adolescents.
CBM, primarily containing THC and CBD, may offer important therapeutic advantages for adults with Tourette syndrome who do not respond to standard care. One underlying piece of evidence for this is a genetic variant in CB1 associated with risk for TS.
The main benefit involves the powerful suppression of motor and vocal tics. THC achieves this by directly interacting with the brain’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Specifically, THC targets CB1 receptors concentrated in the basal ganglia, the brain’s motor control center. This interaction provides a modulatory effect, effectively halting the involuntary movements and vocalizations. CBM may also help patients gain better control over their symptoms by significantly reducing the severity of premonitory urges — the uncomfortable sensations that signal an impending tic.
Beyond motor control, CBM may substantially improve the overall quality of life. It may significantly alleviate common associated conditions, such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS). Since stress often triggers tics, managing these co-existing issues leads to fewer tics and greater emotional stability.
Furthermore, CBM may present a favorable safety profile. Patients may generally tolerate THC-containing medicines well, reporting only mild side effects like drowsiness. This makes CBM an attractive alternative option to conventional antipsychotics, which often cause severe adverse reactions. This strong evidence base indicates that CBM may be a valuable therapeutic option for patients seeking a substantial reduction in both physical symptoms and emotional distress associated with severe TS.
The successful use of CBM relies on personalizing the treatment under a doctor’s guidance. Doctors primarily prescribe CBM containing THC, often in THC-dominant products, because research shows it works best for suppressing tics and premonitory urges. Some studies also utilize a balanced THC:CBD oil, such as a 1:1 ratio, with CBD included to improve tolerability.
Patients must start with a very low dose and gradually increase it — a process called titration — until they achieve tic control while minimizing side effects to find an ideally tolerable dose.
Patients may administer the medicine using two main methods. Providers will usually give a low starting dose and instruct you on how to titrate it based on the route.
This provides a slower onset and prolonged effect, ideal for sustained, day-long symptom management. Beginners should observe the effects of any oral THC over the course of 2–4 hours first before taking more.
Sprayed on the inside cheek or under the tongue, usually as 3 spray doses in 15-minute intervals, with up to 12 applications recommended daily. Provides quicker titration than oral ingestion, with lower doses (~2.5 mg each) given at a time for more efficient and rapid absorption through the moist mucus membranes of the mouth. Patients must still watch for THC effects over 2–4 hours.
This offers rapid relief, which is suitable for managing sudden, severe tic episodes on-demand. Doctors often recommend taking the daily dose in the evening to reduce daytime drowsiness and facilitate sleep.
Patients must consult a specialist to ensure this personalized approach is appropriate before starting any CBM treatment.
The most effective cannabis strains for managing tics in Tourette syndrome often involve THC-dominant or balanced THC:CBD products, as THC is the primary cannabinoid linked to tic reduction in clinical studies. Some examples of frequently prescribed medicinal varieties are Bedrocan® (high-THC) and balanced extracts like nabiximols (1:1 THC:CBD).
Patient reports also suggest strains like the high-THC GSC (girl scout cookies) and sour diesel for tics and muscle relaxation, while high-CBD strains such as Harlequin, ACDC, and Charlotte’s web are often favored for controlling associated anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
CBM takes on a specialized role in treating adults who experience Tourette syndrome and the co-occurring condition of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
The first, primary role involves direct tic suppression through the endocannabinoid system and regulating neurotransmitters. The main active compound, THC, handles this by significantly lessening the frequency and intensity of tics and reducing the powerful, uncomfortable sensations known as premonitory urges that often precede a tic. This action allows patients to gain better control over their movements and vocalizations.
The second, equally important, role focuses on managing the associated psychiatric symptoms. CBM, especially when it includes CBD, functions as an anxiolytic agent (anxiety reduction). By alleviating the stress and obsessive thoughts that commonly trigger tic episodes, this role indirectly stabilizes the TS symptoms while directly improving the patient’s emotional well-being and life quality.
Therefore, CBM may serve as an essential adjunct therapy for patients whose conditions resist standard treatments, offering a comprehensive strategy that addresses both the neurological tics and their underlying psychological drivers.
READ: Best Marijuana Strains for Seizures
THC and CBD are the cannabinoids used for Tourette’s syndrome. THC may directly suppress tics and psychomotor urges, while CBD plays a supportive part, effectively reducing anxiety and OCD symptoms that often trigger tics.
The most effective strains for Tourette’s syndrome (TS) possess high THC content, as it directly suppresses tics. Examples of medically prescribed options include high-THC Bedrocan® and balanced Bediol® (THC:CBD – 6:7.5). Patients also favor high-THC strains like GSC or Sour Diesel for tic control, and high-CBD strains like Harlequin specifically for managing anxiety.
Effective CBD dosage for tics typically works best when combined with THC in a balanced ratio. While CBD mainly addresses anxiety and stress, the optimal therapeutic approach for tic reduction emphasizes this balanced THC:CBD combination.
The best strains for ADHD often focus on sativa-dominant hybrids with high THC for energy and focus, such as Sour Diesel or Jack Herer.
For OCD relief, strains with high CBD content or a balanced THC:CBD ratio to calm anxiety and racing thoughts, like ACDC or Harlequin may work best.
Physicians begin treating Tourette’s syndrome with behavioral therapy. If medication becomes necessary for severe tics, they usually prescribe alpha-agonists such as clonidine or guanfacine, especially when ADHD co-occurs, because these drugs have a favorable side effect profile. For stronger tic suppression, they use antipsychotics like aripiprazole, risperidone, or haloperidol.
Tourette’s syndrome can be effectively managed with behavioral therapy, specifically comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT). It may be more effective when combined with pharmacological means.
Tourette’s syndrome is strongly genetic but does not follow a simple maternal or paternal-only pattern; it is an autosomal dominant condition, meaning the contributing genes can be passed down from either parent, though inheriting the gene does not guarantee the child will develop symptoms.
Written by Chiagozie Ekemezie
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