What Is Tourette’s Syndrome?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 162 children has Tourette’s Syndrome (TS). That means these kids suffer from an uncontrollable disorder that involves repetitive movements or unwanted sounds, also known as tics.
Research shows that TS happens due to a change in a person’s genes, which can either be inherited or congenital. These changes lead to a problem wherein the brain’s nerve cells have a hard time communicating with each other, which might be caused by the imbalance of the neurotransmitters present in the central nervous system.
Unfortunately, there is no specific test to determine if a person has Tourette’s Syndrome. Most physicians identify TS through the patient’s family history, medical background, symptoms, and physical exam results.
Even if there is no known cure for TS yet, several treatments are available to fight or control the symptoms. One of these treatments includes the use of medical marijuana, which can alleviate some signs of Tourette’s like anxiety and the frequency of tics.
Different Symptoms of Tourette’s Syndrome
The most common symptom found in most patients with TS is called tics. This refers to the sudden uncontrollable movements or sounds made by people with the disorder. It sadly affects how a person functions daily, their means of communication, and quality of life.
Tics that affect a patient’s movement are referred to as motor tics, while those that affect sounds are called vocal tics. Take note that tics may vary in frequency and severity. Experts say that tics worsen if a person is excited, stressed, or tired. It can also either improve or decline as a children transition from adolescence to adulthood.
Other symptoms of TS:
- Short Attention Span
- Learning Disabilities
- Lack of Social Skills
- Short Term Memory Loss
- Mood Swings
- Panic Attacks
Here are the typical motor tics found in patients with TS:
- Eye Blinking
- Head Jerking
- Shrugging of Shoulders
- Darting of the Eyes
- Nose Twitches
- Mouth Movements
Typical vocal tics found in patients with TS include:
- Frequent Grunting
- Coughing
- Constant Throat Clearing
- Barking
Several Ways To Treat Tourette’s Syndrome
Tourette’s Syndrome varies for every person. That’s why the remedy for the disorder can be different per patient as well. But the most common treatment advised by doctors is behavioral therapy. Patients are trained to “act out a response that can limit the tic.”
Besides that, medications such as those that limit dopamine, antidepressants, antiseizure drugs, medical marijuana, and central adrenergic inhibitors help control rage attacks and impulse issues.
Marijuana And Tourette’s
After a study from the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience revealed how marijuana limits tics in patients with TS, many experts began to recommend marijuana for Tourette’s.
The research concluded that the relaxing effects of medical marijuana could aid TS symptoms like anxiety, irritability, anger issues, insomnia, and obsessive disorders. Additionally, the use of cannabis can also mildly alleviate tics with no observed side effects.
Researchers explain that cannabis’ effects on the brain can help treat TS symptoms. For example, the non-psychoactive cannabinoid present in medical marijuana can ease obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Also, CBD is used to manage anxiety and irritability and can reduce the aggressive tendencies of children or adults with TS.
A friendly reminder: It is best to ask your primary physician first if you can take medical marijuana, especially if you are taking other medications.
Other Health Benefits of Weed
Aside from the positive response of the link between marijuana and Tourette’s, here are more health benefits of weed:
- Relieves chronic pain
- Promotes weight loss
- Regulates insulin
- Helps minimize seizures
- Treats glaucoma
- Lowers risks of Alzheimer’s
- Helps manage arthritis
- Aids PTSD symptoms
- Relieves side effects of Multiple Sclerosis
- Increase the efficacy of Hepatitis C treatments
- Reduces inflammation
- Relieves tremors linked with Parkinson’s Disease
How Safe Is It?
Before buying any marijuana-infused product because of weed’s health benefits, ensure that the US Food and Drug Administration approved and regulated the cannabis brand. If you are looking for a trustworthy medical marijuana dispensary in Colorado Springs, check Altitude Organic Cannabis. We offer various products you can choose from.
Several studies have stated that marijuana can alleviate most Tourette’s symptoms, such as motor and vocal tics. However, be reminded that many researchers are still performing clinical trials and studies regarding the potential of medical marijuana in treating other symptoms of Tourette’s.