A new study published in Neuroscience found that cannabis-based medicines were associated with significant reductions in tics and premonitory urges among adults with Tourette syndrome.
The study was conducted by researchers from Al-Andalus University for Medical Sciences, Addis Ababa University, the University of Ibadan and other institutions. Researchers reviewed cohort studies and randomized controlled trials examining the use of cannabis-based medicines for Tourette syndrome, a neurological disorder marked by involuntary motor and vocal tics.
Tourette syndrome is often accompanied by conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Researchers said cannabis-based medicines may help because of their interaction with the endocannabinoid system, while potentially offering better tolerability than some commonly used medications, including antipsychotics.
For the review, researchers searched PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and the Cochrane Collaboration Database for relevant studies published through July 2, 2025. Out of 1,105 screened articles, eight studies met the criteria for inclusion, with seven included in the meta-analysis. Altogether, the studies involved 306 adult Tourette syndrome patients.
Researchers found that cannabis-based medicines were linked to a significant reduction in Yale Global Tic Severity Scale scores, with a mean difference of -13.29. Scores on the Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale also declined significantly, with a mean difference of -4.09.
The study’s authors concluded that cannabis-based medicines “show promising potential in reducing tics and premonitory urges in TS,” while noting that larger placebo-controlled trials are needed to confirm effectiveness, evaluate safety and determine optimal dosing.
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