Delhi, India: The administration of cannabis-based products reduces tic severity and provides other symptom improvements in patients suffering from Tourette syndrome (TS), according to a literature review published in the journal Neuroscience.
An international team of researchers from India, Egypt, and Syria reviewed data from eight studies involving 306 adult patients. Study participants engaged in a variety of cannabis-based interventions, including the use of botanical cannabis, oral synthetic THC (dronabinol), and a cannabis spray containing equal quantities of THC and CBD (Nabiximol).
They reported: “In our systematic review and meta-analysis, we assessed the efficacy of CBMs [cannabis-based medicines] in treating TS, focusing on tic severity and premonitory urges. … Our analysis revealed significant reductions in tic severity and premonitory urges, as measured by the YGTSS [Yale Global Tic Severity Scale] and PUTS [Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale].”
The study’s authors concluded: “CBMs exhibit promising potential in reducing tic severity and improving associated symptoms in patients with TS. … CBMs may offer an alternative to traditional treatments. Further large-scale RCTs are necessary to validate their efficacy, safety, and long-term benefits in managing TS symptoms.”
Full text of the study, “Cannabis for tic control: A systematic review and meta-analysis of its efficacy in Tourette syndrome management,” appears in Neuroscience. Additional information on cannabinoids and TS is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.