In a landmark clinical trial, researchers have unveiled promising results for treating Tourette syndrome with medicinal cannabis. The study, led by Dr. Philip Mosley of the Wesley Research Institute and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, in collaboration with the University of Sydney’s Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, marks a significant stride in understanding the therapeutic potential of cannabis.

The trial demonstrated a substantial reduction in both motor and vocal tics in participants within just six weeks. This outcome is not just statistically significant but also life-changing for those affected by this neurological disorder. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine: Evidence, involved 22 adult patients with severe Tourette symptoms, who were administered medicinal cannabis oil and a placebo in two six-week phases.

Chris Wright, a 35-year-old participant, shared his transformative experience, noting a 50% reduction in tics and newfound abilities like reading a book for the first time in a decade. The study also observed improvements in associated symptoms like obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety.

This research not only offers hope to the 1% of the population affected by Tourette syndrome but also underscores the therapeutic versatility of medicinal cannabis. For more details on this groundbreaking study, visit the University of Sydney’s news page.