For some people with Tourette Syndrome, cannabis can make everyday life much more manageable.
In fact, New Jersey is one of several states that have approved medical marijuana as a treatment for Tourette’s Syndrome.
Keep reading to learn why cannabis is growing increasingly popular among people with Tourette’s Syndrome.
What is Tourette Syndrome?
Tourette Syndrome, or TS for short, is a neurodevelopmental condition in which a person makes sudden, involuntary sounds or movements, with some level of regularity.
When discussing TS, involuntary sounds are called vocal tics or phonic tics, and involuntary movements are called motor tics.
Either type of tic can range in severity from inconsequential to disabling. Oftentimes, tics cannot be controlled; sometimes, they can be “masked,” depending on the severity of an individual’s case.
As some individuals with Tourette’s get older, their tics may lessen over time, but will rarely ever disappear completely. There is no cure for TS, so patients are typically left to test out various forms of prescription medications that are not particularly intended for TS.
Which movements do motor tics include?
Simple motor tics include but aren’t limited to blinking the eyes, shrugging the shoulders, and moving the jaw.
Complex motor tics may include hopping, jumping, or other slower, full-body movements that may appear more deliberate.
Any muscle may be subject to these involuntary movements at any time. Tics are not always consistent — they can change and evolve over time.
Which sounds do vocal tics include?
Simple vocal tics include grunting, sniffing, and clearing the throat.
Complex vocal tics are words, or sounds that resemble them, that happen randomly and out of context.
Contrary to the common misconception about TS, it is uncommon for complex vocal tics to involve swear words or offensive remarks. These only account for, at most, 15% of Tourette cases and are referred to as “coprolalia.”
What other conditions is Tourette Syndrome associated with?
According to the Tourette Association of America, approximately 83% of people with Tourette’s have been diagnosed with at least one additional behavioral, mental, or developmental condition.
Among these co-conditions, sleep disorders, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are of particular relevance for consuming cannabis to potentially manage Tourette syndrome.
Many people who don’t have Tourette’s consume cannabis to help with these conditions, and people with Tourette’s may benefit from cannabis for the same reasons.
Minimizing anxiety, in particular, may be especially important for people with Tourette’s since anxiety may increase how severe one’s tics are and how often they occur.
In general, any heightened emotion and high-sensory environments can exacerbate tics.
Cannabis and Tourette syndrome: How cannabinoids contribute to the medicinal experience
Though cannabis may help manage TS symptoms, before adding cannabis to your wellness routine, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to discuss how it may affect you.
This is especially true if you’re using prescription medications, as cannabis may interact with pharmaceuticals. For example, individuals who take blood thinners should not consume CBD products.
Cannabis for relaxation
Many people consume cannabis for relaxation since two of its most well-known cannabinoids, THC and CBD, interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). CBD may aid with inflammation and muscle aches that can be caused by repeated tics.
Through this interaction, cannabis may lower your stress levels and improve your mood and sleep. However, this is dose-dependent, and the response may vary from person to person.
For people with TS, cannabis may thus make all the difference in living with the common co-morbid conditions of anxiety and insomnia. Both animal studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that the cannabinoid Cannabinol (CBN) may improve sleep, though more research is needed.
If you’re interested in trying CBN products to see if they help improve your sleep, we recommend Camino’s Blackberry Dream Sours, equally ratioed with THC, CBD, and CBN to promote a comfortable and restful night of sleep. The Tart Cherry 10:1 pearls by Grön are a great high-dose CBN option, and OGeez’s 2:1 Aquaberry gummies are a good low-dose choice.
Cannabis for focus
Among people with TS who also have ADHD, many consume cannabis for focus.
Research suggests that the cannabinoid Cannabichromene (CBC) may influence the production of anandamide, an endocannabinoid related to motivation and focus, suggesting a potential link between the two. More research is needed to understand precisely how this relationship works.
Products such as Grön’s Tangelo Pearls with a low dose of CBC and CBG, or Wyld’s Blood Orange 1:1 with equal parts THC and CBC, may be effective products for aiding with focus.
THC and Tourette Syndrome
A double-blind, crossover trial published in NEJM Evidence found that THC, which is the intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis, may reduce tics.
The study also found that THC may reduce anxiety and “impairment due to tics.”
Two decades earlier, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry concluded that THC may be a safe, effective method for treating tics.
Although more research needs to be done, studies to date — and comments on the internet from people with Tourette’s — suggest that THC can be quite powerful for managing symptoms.
CBD and Tourette Syndrome
The NEJM Evidence study found that, like THC, CBD (a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in meaningful amounts in some cannabis cultivars) can reduce tics.
However, the Tourette Association of America states that not enough evidence exists to suggest that CBD alone is useful as a Tourette’s treatment.
Instead, according to the Tourette Association of America, the data suggests that CBD may only be an effective treatment option when consumed alongside THC.
Another perspective is that, since CBD is strongly associated with reducing anxiety, it may still be highly beneficial for many people with Tourette’s.
Some beloved CBD staples in Blue Oak’s catalog include Camino’s 2:6 Sparkling Pear’s, Wana’s 20:1 Blood Orange gummies, and the 1:1: Happy Balance gummies from OGeez.
Terpenes and Tourette Syndrome
Terpenes are compounds that occur naturally in all plants, including cannabis.
Although cannabinoids more strongly shape your cannabis experience, terpenes may play a role too. Some terpenes may have qualities that are helpful in managing TS symptoms, too.
For example, the terpene myrcene, which is the most commonly occurring terpene in cannabis, is widely found to be sedative.
Linalool may offer anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects, and pinene may impart a sense of invigoration that helps with focus.
Limonene may provide energizing, euphoric sensations that boost focus while quelling anxiety.
At a licensed dispensary such as Blue Oak, all cannabis products’ packaging will include a certificate of analysis (COA) indicating the three terpenes most abundant in the product.
How to consume cannabis for Tourette Syndrome
Among the handful of ways to consume cannabis, some may be more effective for people with TS.
According to a study published in Behavioural Neurology in 2022, many people with Tourette’s choose flower, pre-rolls, or vapes over tinctures.
Cannabis cultivars high in THC, this study found, are more popular than other cultivars among people with Tourette’s.
A study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research in 2019 came to the same conclusion: High-THC cultivars are a favorite among people with Tourette’s.
As such, if you live with Tourette’s and you’re thinking of trying cannabis for the first time, you may want to seek out flower or pre-rolls with high THC content.
However, there’s an important disclaimer to make: With highly potent cannabis products such as these, always start low and go slow.
Take one hit, wait 15 to 30 minutes, and only take another hit if you want stronger effects. For edibles, especially those with higher dosages, cutting the product into halves or quarters is recommended until you understand your personal tolerance levels.
This is of paramount importance so that you don’t experience overly strong effects that could potentially become unpleasant.
Explore cannabis for Tourette Syndrome at Blue Oak
At Blue Oak Dispensary, our expert sales specialists personalize your cannabis journey to support your needs and goals.
We offer private, discreet consultations so that you can ask any questions or share any concerns you have.
We also offer a curated selection of premium products hailed for their quality and potency.
Browse our menu and plan your trip to discover the potential power of cannabis for managing Tourette’s Syndrome.
