Managing Tourette’s Syndrome with Medical Cannabis
Tourette's syndrome is a neurological condition characterised by a variety of symptoms, such as vocal and motor tics. Tics refer to abrupt twitches, movements, or sounds that individuals cannot control or suppress. While tics generally do not pose significant risks to a person's overall well-being, severe cases of Tourette's can significantly affect their quality of life.
Tourettes usually develops during childhood but tics and other symptoms often improve after several years and may sometimes go away completely. People with Tourette's Syndrome also often have problems with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or learning difficulties.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Tourette's can vary widely in their type, frequency, and severity among individuals.
- Motor tics are the most common and include sudden, repetitive, and uncontrollable movements such as eye blinking, facial grimacing, head jerking, shoulder shrugging, or limb twitching
- Vocal tics, on the other hand, involve involuntary sounds or words, ranging from throat clearing, grunting, or sniffing to more complex utterances like coprolalia (involuntary use of inappropriate or obscene language) or echolalia (repeating others' words or phrases)
- Tics can fluctuate in intensity and may increase during times of stress or excitement
- Social Anxiety disorder
- Generalised Anxiety disorder
In addition to these primary symptoms, individuals with Tourette's may also experience associated conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Cause and treatment
There is also research to suggest that medical cannabis can be useful for the reduction in symptoms of Tourettes. A recent study conducted on Tourettes Awareness Day, Wednesday 7th June has indicated findings of a reduction in motor and vocal tics in just six weeks, whilst patients were treated with medical cannabis.
The findings from the six week trial include the following:
- Those treated with the cannabis oil showed a significant reduction in tics, as well as a reduction in obsessive-compulsive symptoms and anxiety, without major adverse effects
- There were no changes in cognitive assessments of attention, working memory, and executive functioning between those receiving the treatment and those given the placebo
One participant even noted...
“The oil has reduced my tics by about 50% and I have been able to read a book for the first time in 10 years. Some days I get home from work and realise I haven’t focused on my Tourette syndrome the entire day.It’s changed my life.”
Medical Cannabis and Tourettes
There is also research to suggest that medical cannabis can be useful for the reduction in symptoms of Tourettes. A recent study conducted on Tourettes Awareness Day, Wednesday 7th June has indicated findings of a reduction in motor and vocal tics in just six weeks, whilst patients were treated with medical cannabis.
The findings from the six week trial include the following:
- Those treated with the cannabis oil showed a significant reduction in tics, as well as a reduction in obsessive-compulsive symptoms and anxiety, without major adverse effects
- There were no changes in cognitive assessments of attention, working memory, and executive functioning between those receiving the treatment and those given the placebo
One participant even noted...
“The oil has reduced my tics by about 50% and I have been able to read a book for the first time in 10 years. Some days I get home from work and realise I haven’t focused on my Tourette syndrome the entire day.It’s changed my life.”
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Conditions Specialists
Dr Anup Mathew
Lead Psychiatry Specialist
Dr Anup Mathew
Consultant Psychiatrist | Clinical Lecturer
M.D., MA, MSc, BSc (Hons), MRCPsych, FHEADCP, MDCH, DCBH, PGCDM, PGCCE, MAcadMEd
Dr Mathew is a Community Psychiatrist in the NHS responsible for providing medical psychiatric support to a multi-disciplinary Primary Care Mental Health Service across East and North Kent.
Dr Mathew has extensive knowledge of mental health legislation having completed an MA in Medical Ethics and Law. He was appointed by the Ministry of Justice as a Medical Member of the First-tier Tribunal in the Social Entitlement Chamber. Dr Mathew also has a special interest in PTSD and Military Psychiatry having completed an MSc in War and Psychiatry and trained with the Royal Marines Reserve.
Dr Mathew was awarded Membership of the Academy of Medical Educators and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy following his involvement in medical education which included being a University Lecturer.
As a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Addictions Faculty, Dr Mathew has qualifications and expertise in the management of alcohol and drug misuse, particularly with co-morbid mental health problems. Due to his expertise, Dr Mathew is a Medical Examiner and Health Examiner for the General Medical Council.
Dr Mathew holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy and he is also a qualified Medical Hypnotherapist. He incorporates a holistic approach in treatment that considers how biological, psychological and social factors impact on a person’s life and recovery journey. His work ethic has always been focused on trying to improve the outcomes of people with mental illness.
Dr Gerard Sinovich
Lead Pain Specialist
Dr Gerard Sinovich
Acute and Chronic Pain Management Consultant
MBBS, FRCA, FFPMRCA
Specialisms: Musculoskeletal pain; neuropathic pain; fibromyalgia; headaches; migraines; chronic neck, upper & lower back, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle pain; myofascial pain; inflammatory and connective tissue disorders; abdominal pain; pelvic pain; post-surgical pain and cancer pain.
Dr Sinovich qualified in anaesthesia and is professionally trained to treat different pain problems, particularly musculoskeletal pain and neuropathic pain. He is well renowned in his field following completion of specialised training in Pain Management at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, a world leading hospital in pain research and management.
Dr Sinovich is a pioneer in medical cannabis prescribing to chronic pain patients in the UK. He has extensive experience in prescribing medicinal cannabis over the last 3 years with training undertaken in Canada. He has featured in cannabis health news, BBC news, and in the daily mirror on topics related to medicinal cannabis. He has presented various web-based seminars on medicinal cannabis to both patients and aspiring doctors wanting to enter the field of medicinal cannabis. He is involved in research trials to better understand the use of medicinal cannabis and making it more accessible to individuals with chronic pain.
Here are some interesting facts about Dr Sinovich:
- Granted Foundation Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FFPMRCA)
- Medical director of “Panacea Pain Relief Clinic” with consulting rooms at the Spire Clare Park Hospital, Frimley Park Hospital and Spire St Anthony Hospital
- Presented at numerous national anaesthesia and pain medicine conferences
- Member of the British Pain Society and of the European Society for Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine
- Faculty member of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCA), the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) and the Association of Anaesthetists (AAGBI)
- Local Pain Medicine Educational Supervisor responsible for teaching of undergraduate medical students in acute and chronic pain
Medical cannabis, legally prescribed
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FAQ’s
Answers to your most important medical cannabis questions.
Can medical cannabis help with symptoms of Tourette’s Syndrome?
Yes. Medical cannabis may help reduce the frequencyand severity of tics, as well as associated symptoms like anxiety or sleepdifficulties. At Cantourage Clinic, we offer personalised cannabis-basedtreatments for patients with Tourette’s who have not responded to conventionaltherapies.
Is medical cannabis legally available for Tourette’s in the UK?
Yes. In the UK, medical cannabis can be prescribedby a specialist doctor for chronic and treatment-resistant conditions likeTourette’s Syndrome. Cantourage Clinic provides legal, regulated access tocannabis-based therapies under the guidance of experienced clinicians.
What cannabis-based products are recommended for managing tics?
Our doctors may prescribe CBD-dominant or balancedTHC:CBD formulations to help calm the nervous system and reduce involuntarymovements. These are typically administered via oils, capsules, or vaporisedformats depending on patient needs and sensitivity.
How do I start medical cannabis treatment for Tourette’s at Cantourage Clinic?
The first step isbooking a consultation. Our clinical team will assess your symptoms, treatmenthistory, and suitability for medical cannabis. If appropriate, we’ll create acustomised treatment plan and offer continuous support throughout your care.