The Leaf THE LEAF November-December 2019 | Page 26

Cannabis Treatment
Researchers interviewed TS patients on their
cannabis use and its effect on their symptoms.
What they found was that of those who had
used marijuana, 82% of them had either a
reduction or complete remission in their
symptoms: motor tics, vocal tics, and
obsessive-compulsive behaviour.
Although this study relied on self-reporting,
the fact that the vast majority communicated
cannabis’s effectiveness seems to hint at the
fact that it’s an effective treatment.
A study was performed to assess how
cannabis interacts with people who have
Tourette’s Syndrome which confirms
cannabis’s effectiveness.
In it, researchers administered a gelatine
capsule filled with THC (the psychoactive
ingredient in cannabis) and observed the
results.
They found that the subjects who had the THC
capsules showed a significant improvement in
their symptoms compared to those who
received a placebo.
The THC group experienced fewer and less
pronounced tics as well as less obsessive-
compulsive behaviour.
There was also a correlation observed
between THC in the blood and improvement
of symptoms; plainly, the THC was clearly
the cause for the improvement.
A further study concurred that THC is
effective in treating tics and obsessive-
compulsive behaviour in sufferers.
In the abstract, the researchers make two
salient points.
First, they note that current treatment for
Tourette’s Syndrome (barring cannabis) is
unsatisfactory; as a result, research on
cannabis has been conducted to fill that void.
Second, as with the previous study, no
adverse side effects occurred as a result of the
THC in any of the subjects.
The implication is that THC may well become
a staple in treating more severe Tourette’s
Syndrome.
The Final Hit
In treating rather severe Tourette’s Syndrome,
THC has been shown to be effective from the
patient’s standpoint as well as objective
observation.
With more exposure on the effectiveness of
cannabis for Tourette’s Syndrome, more
patients who are in need of relief will find out
that THC can help them manage their
symptoms.
https://greenrushdaily.com/health/cannabis-
tourettes-syndrome/