Cannabis as a treatment for Tourette syndrome symptoms

• Tourette Syndrome: What Is It?
• What Causes Tourette Syndrome?
• Symptoms
• Treatment of Tourette Syndrome
• CBD and Tourette Syndrome
• Research on Medical Cannabis and Tourette Syndrome
• CBD vs. THC
• Medical Cannabis for the Treatment of Tourette Syndrome
• CBD Oil and Tourette Syndrome

Tourette Syndrome: What Is It?

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by uncontrollable sudden movements, sounds, twitches, or urges. Symptoms of the disorder can range from mild to severe and are often visible in the form of vocal or motor “tics.” It is estimated that Tourette syndrome affects 1 in 160 children between the ages of 5 and 17 in the US. Boys are three times more likely to develop Tourette syndrome than girls.

What causes Tourette syndrome?

Unfortunately, no one can pinpoint the cause of Tourette syndrome, but scientists believe that both biological and social factors play a role. The disorder often runs in families, suggesting that genetic factors are involved, but exposure to other influences, such as a mother smoking during pregnancy, low birth weight, or fetal damage, are also associated with the disorder.

New research should determine how sudden stress factors can affect the severity of tics and what effect the environment in which an individual with Tourette syndrome lives after birth has. In addition, there are often other processes and problems that occur alongside this disorder. These include:

• Anxiety
• Hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD)
• Behavioral problems
• Learning disorders
• Sudden mood swings/problems functioning in society
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Symptoms

As already mentioned, the main symptom of Tourette syndrome is a “tic,” specifically two types of tics, vocal and motor.

Motor tics involve movement and include:

• Blinking
• Facial grimacing
• Sudden jerking of the head or limbs
• Shrugging of the shoulders
• Twitching of the mouth

Vocal tics involve sounds:

• Shouting
• Growling
• Coughing
• Sniffing
• Swearing

These tics can be mild or severe and are influenced by illness, emotions, or stress. Symptoms often begin in childhood and may become less frequent or disappear completely with age.

Treatment of Tourette syndrome

There is currently no cure for Tourette syndrome, but there are various types of therapies and medications that help alleviate individual symptoms. Tics are treated according to their severity. Mild tics may not require any treatment. For tics that negatively affect the patient’s life, the doctor may prescribe medication (e.g., Haldol, Catapres). However, negative side effects may include breathing difficulties or even seizures. To prevent these side effects, correct and regular dosing is necessary.

Doctors also recommend counseling to manage tics. This can help people with Tourette syndrome control the impact on their social life and also help eliminate limiting habits.

Although medication and other treatment methods can play a key role in treatment, sometimes all of these methods are ineffective, unsustainable, and unhealthy. That’s when cannabis comes in.

CBD and Tourette syndrome

In the search for new methods to combat the symptoms of Tourette syndrome, some researchers have turned to cannabis as an alternative treatment. Scientists have found that cannabis is an effective treatment for a number of brain disorders and may also be helpful for people affected by Tourette syndrome.

Some people with Tourette syndrome claim that cannabis can affect the severity of individual vocal and motor tics and can bring relief. They highlighted the effect of two cannabinoids: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), which reduce the intensity and frequency of tics.

Research on medical cannabis and Tourette syndrome

People affected by Tourette syndrome may have problems with normal daily activities and social interaction. Researchers believe that cannabis may offer relief to patients.

A study from Tauranga Hospital in New Zealand examined the administration of “Sativex,” a prescription drug containing THC and CBD, to reduce the frequency and intensity of vocal and motor tics. The results supported previous research and showed that “cannabinoids are a safe and effective treatment for TS and their use should be considered in cases where conventional treatment has failed.”

The journal Pharmacopsychiatry published a study with similar conclusions. The study found that THC has properties that reduce tics and other symptoms, such as those associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They found a significant correlation between better tic control and maximum plasma concentrations of 11-OH-THC. The results obtained from this experimental study suggest that a single treatment with Delta(9)-THC is effective and safe in treating tics in TS.

Another study focused on the use of “Nabiximols,” another drug based on THC and CBD. Sublingual administration of the drug ensured faster absorption and increased positive effects—patients showed a 22.2% reduction in tic intensity.

Although most research has focused on drugs such as Sativex, THC or CBD can also be used and may play an active role in reducing the frequency and intensity of tics associated with Tourette syndrome. CBD can also reduce insomnia, aggression, anxiety, and other triggers related to TS symptoms. The use of CBD can also reduce some factors that intensify tics.

CBD vs. THC

The difference between THC and CBD is important to understand in order to understand the individual chemical interactions with the patient’s physiology and how each can play a role in alleviating symptoms associated with TS:

THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for the “high” feelings experienced by a person using marijuana.

The therapeutic effects vary, including appetite stimulation and pain relief.

CBD is not a psychotropic substance, and studies suggest that it may improve mood, reduce pain, and help with neurological disorders such as Tourette syndrome.

Medical cannabis for the treatment of Tourette syndrome

Patients have several options for using medical cannabis to relieve symptoms, such as smoking, vaporization, or oral administration. Smoking uses combustion to heat THC and CBD, but high temperatures can reduce some of the health benefits. The preferred method is currently vaporization. Unlike smoking, the plant material is not burned; the cannabis is heated just enough to create vapor and release the cannabinoids.

CBD oil and Tourette syndrome

Patients who do not like vaporization and smoking can use cannabis in the form of pills, tinctures, or CBD oils.

The uncontrollable symptoms of Tourette syndrome can have a profound impact on a patient’s life and quality of life. As mentioned above, there are prescription medications available to reduce symptoms, but these can cause a number of side effects. These medications are mainly useful for dealing with the most intense symptoms. Research suggests that CBD oil may reduce the intensity and frequency of tics associated with TS and ensure a better quality of life for patients suffering from the disorder.

Author: Elena Moreau

Photo: iStock

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