12-year-old with severe Tourette syndrome treated with vaporized cannabis
A 12-year-old boy with severe motor tics causing insomnia experienced near-complete tic remission after treatment with vaporized cannabis and oral THC, with no reported adverse effects.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
After initial vaporized cannabis (4.4 mg THC equivalent), the parents reported immediate and nearly complete tic remission. A regular combination of vaporized cannabis (up to 22 mg THC/day) plus oral THC drops (up to 12.5 mg/day) maintained marked tic reduction. During a clinic visit, significant improvement in tics, premonitory urges, and overall impairment was observed 30 minutes after vaporization.
Key Numbers
Patient age: 12. Initial dose: 0.02 g vaporized cannabis (4.4 mg THC). Maintenance: up to 0.1 g/day vaporized (22 mg THC/day) plus 12.5 mg oral THC/day. Clinical observation: 0.15 g vaporized (33 mg THC) plus 7 mg oral THC taken 6 hours prior.
How They Did This
Single case report of a 12-year-old boy. Parents (both physicians) initiated cannabis treatment independently. Clinical assessment conducted during a subsequent visit at a specialized Tourette clinic.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis treatment in minors is controversial, and documented cases with clinical observation are rare. This case provides direct clinical measurement of effects in a pediatric patient.
The Bigger Picture
Tourette syndrome has limited treatment options, and existing medications often cause significant side effects. The case raises questions about whether cannabis-based treatments deserve further pediatric study.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single case report with no control or blinding. Parents initiated treatment without specialist consultation. No long-term follow-up data. Self-ratings and parent ratings may be biased.
Questions This Raises
- ?What are the long-term neurodevelopmental effects of regular cannabis use starting at age 12?
- ?Could lower-THC or CBD-dominant formulations achieve similar tic reduction?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Near-complete tic remission in a 12-year-old
- Evidence Grade:
- Single case report provides the lowest level of clinical evidence, though clinical observation adds some objectivity.
- Study Age:
- 2019 case report.
- Original Title:
- Vaporized Cannabis Is Effective and Well-Tolerated in an Adolescent with Tourette Syndrome.
- Published In:
- Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 2(1), 60-63 (2019)
- Authors:
- Szejko, Natalia(8), Jakubovski, Ewgeni(3), Fremer, Carolin(7), Müller-Vahl, Kirsten R
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02312
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis treat Tourette syndrome in children?
This single case report showed dramatic tic improvement in one 12-year-old, but the authors emphasized cannabis should be considered a last-line treatment in minors after established treatments have failed.
What dose of cannabis was used for this child?
The maintenance regimen was up to 22 mg THC/day vaporized plus 12.5 mg oral THC/day, combining two forms of administration.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02312APA
Szejko, Natalia; Jakubovski, Ewgeni; Fremer, Carolin; Müller-Vahl, Kirsten R. (2019). Vaporized Cannabis Is Effective and Well-Tolerated in an Adolescent with Tourette Syndrome.. Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 2(1), 60-63. https://doi.org/10.1159/000496355
MLA
Szejko, Natalia, et al. "Vaporized Cannabis Is Effective and Well-Tolerated in an Adolescent with Tourette Syndrome.." Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1159/000496355
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Vaporized Cannabis Is Effective and Well-Tolerated in an Ado..." RTHC-02312. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/szejko-2019-vaporized-cannabis-is-effective
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.