Compare The Best CBD Oil for Tourette Syndrome for 2022

How CBD May Help With Tourette Syndrome

Cannabidiol or CBD is a non-psychotropic compound in the cannabis plant that may have anticonvulsant⁽¹⁾, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties⁽²⁾.  

Non-psychotropic or non-psychoactive substances do not affect a person’s mental state.  

CBD works in the body through the endocannabinoid system, which regulates many essential bodily functions⁽³⁾.

Researchers noted a potential relationship between TS and the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Because the ECS controls and influences many essential neurotransmitter systems in the body, any ECS dysfunction may result in TS⁽⁴⁾.

Since the 1980s, researchers have explored how CBD may address TS⁽⁵⁾. Studies may explain how CBD may help with tic reduction, chronic pain relief, and other neuropsychiatric effects.

Two placebo-controlled trials conducted by Kirsten Müller-Vahl and his team examined the effect of cannabinoids on people with TS or tics⁽⁶⁾.

Cannabinoids are natural compounds in the cannabis plant. A placebo is a substance with no therapeutic effect.

In the study, the researchers noted that cannabis-based medicines (CBM) may lessen the frequency of involuntary movements and tic disorders. CBMs such as nabiximols contain CBD⁽⁷⁾.                   

In 2019, a study in Australia examined CBD’s potential in easing the symptoms of severe TS⁽⁸⁾. The trial’s objective is to analyze the efficacy and safety of CBD and THC on tic frequency and psychiatric and cognitive symptoms linked to TS. 

The study opened therapeutic possibilities of cannabinoids in the treatment of Tourette syndrome.

Benefits and Uses of CBD for Tourette Syndrome

There is currently no evidence that CBD by itself may directly help with Tourette syndrome. However, when combined with THC, CBD may lessen the frequency of vocal and motor tics in people with TS⁽⁹⁾.

Researchers in one study assessed the quality of life, depression, anxiety, and other behavioral symptoms of young people with TS⁽¹⁰⁾.

The study also analyzed individuals with comorbid mental health disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Results showed that those with symptoms of Tourette syndrome reported lower perceived quality of life and depressive behavior.

ADHD is characterized by inattentiveness or impulsiveness and may cause anxiety⁽¹¹⁾. This emotion can increase the severity or frequency of tics in persons with TS.

Meanwhile, numerous testimonials have noted that CBD may effectively reduce anxiety⁽¹²⁾. This information suggests CBD may help manage anxious behavior associated with TS.

Individuals with TS may also have a high risk of developing epilepsy⁽¹³⁾. One study on CBD and Dravet syndrome showed that about 43% of epileptic patients who took CBD reported a 50% reduction in convulsive seizure frequency⁽¹⁴⁾.

Dravet syndrome is epilepsy characterized by prolonged and frequent seizures that may affect infants, adolescents, and adults⁽¹⁵⁾.  

How to Take CBD Oil for Tourette Syndrome

If you are considering using CBD oil or hemp oil for TS or its symptoms, note that this product may be administered in several ways, such as topically, sublingually, orally, or by inhalation.

CBD products according to administration method are the following⁽¹⁶⁾:

• Sublingual: CBD tinctures or sprays
• Ingestion: edibles (gummies, chews, cookies), capsules

• Topical: lotions, creams, balms, salves
• Inhalation: CBD vapes and smokes

Sublingual use requires CBD oil to be applied under the tongue. This method lets you adjust the dosage, which may be convenient when you need precise doses to help manage TS symptoms.

Sublingual application allows the body to absorb CBD quickly into the system as this method bypasses your digestive tract and enters your bloodstream directly. 

Inhalation using vapes is another route of dispensing CBD oil. However, research shows thousands of potentially harmful substances in vapes⁽¹⁷⁾. These substances may adversely affect your heart and lungs.

CBD Dosage for Tourette Syndrome

Standard CBD dosage guides for TS have not been established.

Your CBD dosage may vary depending on factors like exercise, diet, daily stress, sleep patterns, and genetics⁽¹⁸⁾. However, a common dosing strategy is to start with a low dose and observe the drug’s effects before increasing the dosage.

One suggestion is to take an initial dose of 10 milligrams (mg) of CBD per day⁽¹⁹⁾.

Still, more studies are needed to establish an acceptable dosage for TS. Ask a physician versed in cannabis on what CBD dosage may help with your medical condition.

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With Tourette Syndrome? 

Clinical studies on CBD’s onset times for TS have not been conducted at present.

However, the administration method may affect when CBD starts taking effect in the body. The following are the onset times of the different delivery routes⁽²⁰⁾:

• Sublingual administration: 15 to 30 minutes
• Oral ingestion: 30 to 90 minutes
• Topical application: 15 to 30 minutes
• Inhalation: 2 to 15 minutes   

How Long Will CBD Help With Tourette Syndrome?

The duration of CBD’s effects in your system may depend on the delivery method.

Sublingually and topically administered CBD may generally remain effective for two to four hours. 

If CBD is applied orally, its effects may also last for six to eight hours. Meanwhile, inhaled CBD may continue working for two to four hours⁽²¹⁾.

How to Choose the Right CBD for Tourette Syndrome

Purchasing high-quality CBD oil may be challenging, especially if the intention is to help manage a complex disorder like TS.

CBD products generally contain disclaimers stating that the products are not intended as a treatment for any disease. Thus, take precautions when buying CBD products to help with any disorder or disease.

Another consideration is to check a CBD product’s certificate of analysis (COA). COAs are third-party lab results publicly available on a CBD brand’s website.

COAs show the product’s actual CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels and whether the product contains contaminants⁽²²⁾. 

THC is a compound that produces a psychoactive effect typically associated with marijuana use⁽²³⁾.

Some CBD oil products contain THC. The legal amount of THC is limited to 0.3%⁽²⁴⁾.  

CBD oil comes in three forms: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolates.

• Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all the natural cannabis plant compounds, including THC, terpenes, and flavonoids.

Terpenes are aromatic substances found in plants, including cannabis⁽²⁵⁾. Flavonoids are plant chemicals with antioxidant properties⁽²⁶⁾.

Full-spectrum CBD oil may be associated with the “entourage effect.” This phenomenon happens when the cannabis compounds work together to provide a better therapeutic benefit⁽²⁷⁾. 

• Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains many cannabinoids and compounds found in full-spectrum CBD oil. However, broad-spectrum CBD oil does not contain THC.
• CBD isolates are pure CBD and contain no other cannabinoids or compounds. 

One cannabis-based product that may have the potential to help with TS is nabiximol. This drug contains THC and CBD and is often sold as a spray⁽²⁸⁾.

In one study using nabiximol oral sprays, the researchers administered a daily single-puff dose containing 2.7mg of THC and 2.5mg of CBD on a TS patient⁽²⁹⁾.

The test results showed a significant improvement of tics (sudden movements or sounds) and premonitory urges (uncomfortable sensations preceding tics). However, further studies are required to show CBD’s overall effectiveness.

Before determining the best CBD oil that may help improve your condition and quality of life, ask your doctor about potential treatment options that best fit your needs.

Side Effects and Risks of Using CBD for Tourette Syndrome

One study involving nabiximols containing CBD and THC mentioned no side effects encountered during the clinical trial⁽³⁰⁾.

However, the study was conducted on only one patient. Extensive medical research with more subjects may be required to conclusively determine CBD’s benefits and side effects on individuals with TS.

Another study mentioned that the typically reported side effects of CBD are tiredness, diarrhea, and changes to body weight or appetite⁽³¹⁾.

Safety of Using CBD for Tourette Syndrome  

There is limited clinical data on CBD’s safety specifically for TS.

However, several trials on CBD’s potential therapeutic effects showed that CBD has a good safety profile and is well tolerated⁽³²⁾.

Additionally, CBD does not produce the same psychoactive effects as THC⁽³³⁾.

Legality of CBD

The Farm Bill of 2018 removed hemp as a controlled substance under federal law⁽³⁴⁾. Hemp defined under this law is a variety of cannabis containing 0.3% THC.

This law allows researchers to explore medical cannabis or medicinal cannabis, according to FDA regulations. At present, the FDA has approved only one CBD oral solution called Epidiolex for severe forms of epilepsy⁽³⁵⁾.

The FDA has not approved cannabis and its derivatives, other than Epidiolex, to be used like prescription pharmaceutical drugs to treat any condition or disease⁽³⁶⁾. 

However, medical marijuana is legal in 33 states, including Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, and Ohio. These states allow medical marijuana (sometimes called medical cannabis) for use in Tourette symptoms⁽³⁷⁾.

What Is Tourette Syndrome?

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder affecting brain receptors and the nervous system.

TS also causes “tics” or sudden and repeated movements or sounds⁽³⁸⁾.

Vocal tics are TS symptoms that may include involuntary swearing, grunts, clicks, random words, or animal sounds⁽³⁹⁾. In severe forms of TS, vocal tics may develop into coprolalia, or uncontrolled use of inappropriate language⁽⁴⁰⁾.

Individuals diagnosed with TS may also exhibit other illnesses or comorbidities, which may include the following neuropsychiatric disorders⁽⁴¹⁾:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Depression

• Anxiety

About 90% of people with TS suffer from one or more of these conditions⁽⁴²⁾. 

At present, there is no cure to treat Tourette syndrome. However, doctors can prescribe antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, or ADHD medications to help control tics or related symptoms⁽⁴³⁾.

Antipsychotics like risperidone and aripiprazole may also help with motor tics⁽⁴⁴⁾.

Researchers have explored anticonvulsants as a possible treatment for TS⁽⁴⁵⁾. Meanwhile, studies suggest that CBD may help reduce convulsions⁽⁴⁶⁾.