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Tourette’s Syndrome and Medical Cannabis

Tourette’s syndrome is one of a group of conditions known as tic disorders, which affect how the brain controls movements and sounds. It is a long-term condition, and while tics ease over time for some people, others continue to experience symptoms into adulthood.

For those who have not been able to manage their symptoms with standard treatments, medical cannabis may be an option to explore with a specialist at Curaleaf Clinic.

What is Tourette’s Syndrome?

A man sits on a sofa holding his head in one hand, looking frustrated and stressed

Tourette’s syndrome is a condition that affects the brain and nervous system. It causes repeated movements and sounds called tics. Tics are often difficult to control or hold back and may change in how often they happen, what they look or sound like, or how strong they are over time.

Many people may experience tics or other involuntary movements. In Tourette’s syndrome, a person has had at least two movement (motor) tics and one sound (vocal) tic. Tics must have been present for at least a year, although they may come and go.

Symptoms usually start in early childhood [1,2]. For many the symptoms will resolve, but Tourette’s syndrome is estimated to affect up to 1% of individuals and is around four times more common in males. [3]

Tourette’s Syndrome and Medical Cannabis: The Facts

86%
of people with Tourette’s syndrome in one study also had at least one co-occurring condition, such as ADHD or OCD. [4]

10-30%
people with Tourette’s syndrome experience involuntary swearing (coprolalia). [5]

What Causes Tourette’s?

The exact cause of Tourette’s syndrome is not fully understood, but it often runs in families, which suggests genes play a role. [1,2]

Differences in brain chemicals, including dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), may also play a part. These chemicals help the brain control movement. However, researchers are still learning how they are linked to Tourette’s syndrome. [6]

What are the Symptoms of Tourette’s Syndrome?

Tourette’s syndrome causes repeated, involuntary movements and sounds called motor and vocal tics. These can be difficult to control.

Common examples of Tourette’s tics include:

Motor tics

  • Blinking
  • Head turning or nodding
  • Eye rolling
  • Shoulder shrugging

Vocal tics

  • Grunting
  • Throat clearing
  • Swearing
  • Tongue clicking

Coprolalia, or involuntary swearing, is often associated with Tourette’s syndrome, affecting an estimated 10–30% of people with the condition, with higher rates among those seeking clinical care. [5]

Tics can become more noticeable or frequent during periods of stress, tiredness, or excitement. [1]

Other features may also occur in people with Tourette’s syndrome, including:

  • Repeating other people’s words (echolalia) [1]
  • Repeating their own words or phrases (palilalia) [1]
  • Making rude gestures without meaning to (copropraxia) [5]
  • Difficulty concentrating, which may be linked to other conditions, such as ADHD or OCD. [1]

Tourette’s Syndrome Diagnosis

Tourette’s syndrome is usually diagnosed based on a careful review of a person’s symptoms, past health, and the pattern of their tics. There is no specific test for Tourette’s syndrome. However, other conditions can cause similar symptoms, so further tests may be recommended if a doctor thinks something else could be causing the symptoms.

Treatment Options for Tourette’s Syndrome

A man is sitting, facing a laptop. He has his hands pressing against his head. He appears to be suffering from head pain.
Treatment for Tourette’s syndrome may involve education and support from trained healthcare professionals, helping people with the condition and their families understand and manage their symptoms.

Behavioural therapies can also help people manage their tics and may reduce how often they happen. These may include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), habit reversal training, and exposure and response prevention (ERP).

Medication may be recommended when tics make daily life difficult. Medicines such as antipsychotics can help reduce how often tics happen and how strong they are in some people.

For people with severe, debilitating tics that have not responded to other treatments, a type of brain surgery called deep brain stimulation (DBS) may be considered.

When standard treatments have not helped enough, medical cannabis may also be considered by a specialist for some patients. This should be discussed with an appropriate specialist, who can assess whether it is suitable based on the individual’s symptoms and circumstances.

How does Tourette’s Syndrome Affect People?

Tourette’s syndrome affects people in different ways. For some, tics are mild and cause few problems in daily life. For others, they can be frequent, tiring and disruptive, making everyday activities, work and social situations more difficult.

Tourette’s syndrome can also affect relationships, education and employment. In a survey of 672 adults with tic disorders, many reported avoiding social or public situations because of their tics, and some had experienced discrimination. Overall, participants reported a lower quality of life than the general population. [7]

“My life with medical cannabis in three words: Productive, consistent, happier.”

Tom, Curaleaf Clinic Patient

Medical Cannabis for Tourette’s Syndrome

Managing Tourette’s syndrome often involves a combination of approaches, including education and support, behavioural therapies and, for some people, medication. Medical cannabis may be considered when these standard treatments have not helped enough or just aren’t appropriate.

Research Regarding Medical Cannabis and Tourette’s Syndrome

Research into medical cannabis for Tourette’s syndrome is still limited, and more studies are needed. A small trial of 22 adults with severe Tourette’s syndrome found that a medical cannabis oil containing THC and CBD reduced tics more than a placebo (a treatment with no active medicine). However, some people had side effects, including problems with memory and concentration. [8] A real-world study also highlighted the need for more research into how well medical cannabis works and how safe it is. [9]

Can I be Prescribed Medical Cannabis for Tourette’s Syndrome?

Medical cannabis may be considered for Tourette’s syndrome when other treatments have not helped enough or have caused difficult side effects.

Access through the NHS is currently very limited, so some people with Tourette’s syndrome explore treatment through private clinics. In the UK, a doctor on the General Medical Council’s (GMC) Specialist Register must issue the first prescription for unlicensed medical cannabis.

If you’re considering whether medical cannabis may be suitable for you, you can complete an eligibility assessment for a consultation with Curaleaf Clinic. A clinician will review your medical history and relevant records and, if appropriate, invite you to a consultation with a specialist to discuss whether medical cannabis could be suitable for you.

References

[1] NHS. Tourette syndrome. Last reviewed 20 May 2025. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tourette-syndrome/

[2] Tidy C. Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders. Patient.info. Last updated 23 November 2022. https://patient.info/doctor/paediatrics/tourette-syndrome-and-other-tic-disorders

[3] Yilmaz AY, Jankovic J. Epidemiology of Tourette syndrome. Brain Sciences. 2025;15(5):426. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15050426

[4] Hirschtritt ME, Lee PC, Pauls DL, et al. Lifetime prevalence, age of risk, and genetic relationships of comorbid psychiatric disorders in Tourette syndrome. JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(4):325–333. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2110028

[5] Eapen V, Singer HS, Mathews CA, et al. Tourette syndrome. Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2026;12:66. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-026-00742-6

[5] Freeman RD, Zinner SH, Müller-Vahl KR, et al. Coprophenomena in Tourette syndrome. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2009;51(3):218–227. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19183216/

[6] Thenganatt MA, Jankovic J. Recent advances in understanding and managing Tourette syndrome. F1000Research. 2016;5:152. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.7424.1

[7] Conelea CA, Woods DW, Zinner SH, et al. The impact of Tourette syndrome in adults: results from the Tourette Syndrome Impact Survey. Community Mental Health Journal. 2013;49(1):110–120. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22052430/

[8] Mosley PE, et al. Tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol in Tourette syndrome. NEJM Evidence. 2023;2(9):EVIDoa2300012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38320199/

[9] Barchel D, Stolar O, Ziv-Baran T, et al. Use of medical cannabis in patients with Gilles de la Tourette’s syndrome in a real-world setting. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. 2024;9(1):293–299. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2022.0112

[10] Home Office. Rescheduling of cannabis-based products for medicinal use in humans. Home Office Circular. 2018. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/753366/Medicinal_Cannabis_-_Home_Office_Circular_2018_FINAL.pdf

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Frequently Asked Questions about Tourette’s Syndrome

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THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are two of the main active compounds found in cannabis. There is currently not enough evidence to say whether THC or CBD is more effective for managing tics. Clinical studies in Tourette’s syndrome have used products containing THC, either on its own or combined with CBD, and research has not yet established the separate roles of each compound. [ 8]

Medical cannabis is not suitable for everyone. Any decision about treatment, including the type of medical cannabis prescribed, is made by a specialist doctor on an individual basis.

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Since 1 November 2018, cannabis-based products for medicinal use can be legally prescribed in the UK. [ 10] Only a doctor on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register can make the decision to prescribe them.

Medical cannabis may be considered for an individual with Tourette’s syndrome where there is a clinical need and other treatment options have not provided sufficient benefit or are unsuitable.

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Like all medicines, medical cannabis can cause side effects. In studies of people with Tourette’s syndrome, reported side effects have included:

  • Difficulty concentrating [ 8]
  • Dizziness [ 9]
  • Increased appetite [ 9]

Other side effects can occur, and the effects of medical cannabis can vary from person to person. Your specialist will discuss the potential benefits and risks with you before starting treatment, monitor you for side effects, and review your treatment regularly.

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The evidence is currently limited. A small clinical trial in adults with severe Tourette’s syndrome reported reduced tic severity with THC and CBD oil compared with placebo. [ 8] A real-world study of people with Tourette’s syndrome using medical cannabis concluded that more studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness and safety. [ 9]

Medical cannabis is not a first-line treatment for Tourette’s syndrome, and it isn’t suitable for everyone. If you’d like to explore whether medical cannabis is appropriate for you, you can complete an eligibility assessment for a consultation with Curaleaf Clinic.

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There is currently no cure for Tourette’s syndrome. However, for many people, tics can become less frequent or less severe after the early teenage years. Treatment focuses on managing tics when needed and reducing their impact on daily life. [ 2]