Medical cannabis improved quality of life and comorbidities in Tourette's syndrome patients | Research

The takeaway

Among 70 Tourette's patients using medical cannabis, those who responded to follow-up reported significant improvements in quality of life and comorbid conditions, though motor tic frequency and vocal tics did not significantly change.

Tourette's patients and families, neurologists considering cannabinoid treatment, medical cannabis clinicians

QoL improved; tic reduction borderline (p=0.062)

What the researchers found

After 6 months of medical cannabis treatment (mean THC 123 mg/day, CBD 50.5 mg/day), significant improvements were found in quality of life (p<0.05) and sleep disorders (p=0.027). Motor tic frequency (p=0.062), vocal tics (p>0.999), and general mood (p=0.129) did not reach significance. Number of medications decreased significantly.

Why it matters

Tourette's syndrome has limited treatment options, and clinical guidelines already include medical cannabis. This real-world data provides practical information about dosing and outcomes, even though tic reduction did not reach significance.

The numbers in context

70 patients identified. Mean daily dose: THC 123 mg, CBD 50.5 mg. Significant improvement in QoL and sleep. Non-significant trends for motor tics (p=0.062). Most frequent side effects: dizziness (n=4), increased appetite (n=3).

How the study worked

Registry-based study of 70 Tourette's patients from Tikun Olam (Israel). Questionnaires completed before and after 6 months of treatment. Patients divided into responders and non-responders to follow-up.

What this study cannot tell us

Registry-based with no control group or placebo comparison. High attrition (many did not respond to follow-up). Small sample. Cannot separate cannabis effects from natural symptom fluctuation or placebo effect.

How to read the evidence

Real-world registry data without control group provides practical insights but cannot establish efficacy or rule out placebo effects.

When this study was published

2024 publication of Israeli registry data on medical cannabis for Tourette's

The bigger picture

The improvement in quality of life and comorbidities (especially sleep) without significant tic reduction suggests medical cannabis may help Tourette's patients through mechanisms beyond tic suppression, such as reducing the distress and sleep disruption associated with the condition.

Questions still open

Would a placebo-controlled trial confirm these quality-of-life benefits? Is the THC:CBD ratio optimal, or could different ratios produce better tic control?

Common questions

Did cannabis reduce tics in Tourette's?

Motor tic frequency showed a trend toward improvement (p=0.062) but did not reach statistical significance. Vocal tics showed no change. However, quality of life and sleep improved significantly.

What doses were used?

Mean daily doses were 123 mg THC and 50.5 mg CBD. The most common side effects were mild: dizziness (4 patients) and increased appetite (3 patients).

Read the original research

Use of Medical Cannabis in Patients with Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome in a Real-World Setting.

Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 9(1), 293-299

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Barchel, Dana; Stolar, Orit; Ziv-Baran, Tomer; Gueta, Itai; Berkovitch, Matitiahu; Kohn, Elkana; Bar-Lev Schleider, Lihi. (2024). Use of Medical Cannabis in Patients with Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome in a Real-World Setting.. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 9(1), 293-299. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2022.0112