Could CBD Help with Tics? A New Study on Medicinal Cannabis for Tourette Syndrome

Tourette syndrome can be a challenging condition - not just for the young people living with it, but also for their families trying to navigate daily life. From involuntary movements to vocal outbursts, the symptoms of Tourette’s (tics) often draw unwanted attention, impact mental well-being, and make school and social situations more difficult.

While treatments for Tourette syndrome management do exist, they don’t work for everyone. And for many adolescents, the side effects of conventional medication can be tough to handle. That’s why a small group of researchers in Australia recently set out to explore something new: the use of medicinal cannabis - including cannabidiol (CBD) - to support adolescents living with Tourette syndrome.

Let’s take a closer look at what they discovered, and what it could mean for the future.

What Is Tourette Syndrome?

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder that typically begins in childhood. It’s best known for causing tics - sudden, involuntary movements and vocalisations that a person can’t easily control. These might include blinking, grimacing, head jerks, throat clearing, or grunting.

For many, tics come and go in waves, varying in frequency and severity. Some children grow out of them, while others experience symptoms into adulthood. Tourette’s is also often accompanied by other challenges like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, or mood disorders.

Treatment options usually include behavioural therapy and medication. But while these approaches can help, they don’t always work equally well for everyone - and they often come with side effects like drowsiness, irritability, or emotional numbness. That’s why there’s growing interest in alternative, plant-based options.

Why Are People Exploring CBD for Tourette’s?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the most studied compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol - the part of cannabis that causes a high - CBD is non-intoxicating and non-psychoactive. In recent years, it’s been widely explored for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties.

In adults with Tourette’s, early studies have shown mixed results. Some individuals reported improvements in tic severity and overall well-being after taking cannabis-based treatments, particularly those that included both THC and CBD in carefully controlled doses. However, little was known about how these compounds might affect younger people with the condition.

That’s what makes this new research so noteworthy. It’s one of the first to look specifically at adolescents, helping to fill a major gap in the scientific conversation around medical cannabis containing CBD and tic disorders.

Inside the Study: What Researchers Did

The Australian team behind this pilot study designed a small but carefully structured trial. Their goal wasn’t to prove effectiveness right away - but rather to explore whether it was even possible and safe to run a study like this in teens.

Here’s how it worked:

• Participants: Ten adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 took part. All had a formal diagnosis of Tourette syndrome and had tried conventional treatments without much success.

• The treatment: Each participant received a daily dose of medicinal cannabis oil, containing a ratio of 10 mg of THC to 15 mg of CBD per millilitre. The dose varied based on body weight and response to treatment. Most teens started on a low dose that was gradually increased over the first month.

• Monitoring: Researchers tracked changes in tics, quality of life, emotional health, and potential side effects over a period of 85 days. Both the adolescents and their parents were involved in reporting observations.

• Safety checks: Regular visits, questionnaires, and lab tests ensured that any side effects were caught early.

The main aim was to see whether adolescents and families could stick with the process - and whether the cannabis oil was well tolerated.

What Did the Results Show?

While this was a small and early-stage study, the results were encouraging.

Here’s what stood out:

• Tics improved over time: Both parents and clinicians reported that tic severity dropped significantly from the start to the end of the trial.

• Quality of life got better: Teens and their families noted a meaningful improvement in how they felt day to day, particularly in relation to emotional and behavioural challenges.

• Emotional well-being improved: On average, participants showed slight improvements in measures of anxiety, low mood, and restlessness.

• Side effects were mostly mild: The most commonly reported issues were tiredness, dry mouth, and changes in appetite. Some teens felt drowsy or a bit dizzy when their dose increased, but these effects often subsided or improved when the dose was adjusted or split into two smaller doses.

• No serious adverse events were reported, and most participants completed the full course of treatment.

It’s important to emphasise that this was not a placebo-controlled study - everyone in the trial received the treatment. That means we can’t yet say how much of the improvement came directly from the cannabis oil, versus other factors like increased attention, support, or the natural ups and downs of the condition.

Still, the changes were large enough, and consistent enough, to suggest that this is a promising area for further cannabinoid research.

What This Means for Families

If you’re a parent of a child with Tourette’s, news like this might spark hope - and questions. Could cannabis and CBD help reduce your child’s motor and vocal tics? Might it ease some of the emotional challenges that come with living with a visible, often misunderstood condition?

The honest answer is: maybe - but it’s still early days.

This study used a specific combination of THC and CBD, delivered in precise doses and under medical supervision. It was not the kind of CBD oil you’d find in high street shops or order online. For now, this type of medicinal cannabis is only available through licensed channels in certain countries and requires a doctor’s involvement.

But the broader takeaway is positive: the results show that it’s both possible and potentially beneficial to include plant-based approaches in the conversation about neurological support - especially when traditional treatments fall short.

Curious About CBD? Here's What to Keep in Mind

If you’re thinking about trying CBD products for yourself or a family member, here are a few things to consider:

• Start slow: Everyone responds differently to CBD. Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it can help you find the right balance.

• Check the label: Look for products that are clearly labelled with the amount of CBD per dose and that have been tested by a third-party lab for purity and safety.

• Know the type: CBD oils come in different forms - such as isolate (just CBD), broad-spectrum (CBD plus other plant compounds but no THC), and full-spectrum (which may contain trace amounts of THC). Each one may feel a little different.

• Speak to a healthcare provider: Especially if you’re taking other medications or managing a long-term condition, it’s a must to consult a professional before starting any supplement.

• Be realistic: CBD is not a cure, and it may not work for everyone. But for some people, it could offer gentle support as part of a broader wellness routine.

Final Thoughts

Living with Tourette syndrome and tics can be tough - for young people trying to fit in, for parents managing daily routines, and for clinicians looking for better options. While the idea of using CBD and other cannabis-based treatments may have once seemed radical, studies like this one are helping to shift the conversation.

This early research offers a glimmer of hope: that with careful dosing and proper supervision, medicinal cannabis might one day offer a safe, plant-based way to support adolescents with Tourette’s.

For now, more medical research is needed. But the potential is clear - and it's one more reason to keep exploring how nature and science can work hand in hand.

Curious to learn more? Reach out with any questions - our team is here to help!

Sources

[1] Eapen V, Lin PI, Taylor K, Chan E, Chay P, Cranswick N, Ka A, Khan F, Payne JM, Prakash C, Velalagan R, Efron D. Medicinal cannabis for tics in adolescents with Tourette syndrome. BJPsych Open. 2025 Jul 10;11(4):e145.