In a landmark clinical trial, Australian researchers have demonstrated that medicinal cannabis significantly reduces motor and vocal tics in Tourette syndrome patients. The study, led by neuropsychiatrist Dr. Philip Mosley and published in the New England Journal of Medicine: Evidence, marks a major advancement in treating this challenging neurological disorder.

The University of Sydney’s Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics co-funded this pivotal research. The trial involved 22 adult patients with severe Tourette symptoms, who received both medicinal cannabis oil and a placebo over two six-week periods. The results showed a statistically and clinically significant reduction in tics, offering a new ray of hope for those affected.

Chris Wright, a 35-year-old participant, shared his transformative experience: “The oil has reduced my tics by about 50 percent… It’s changed my life.” This study not only highlights the efficacy of medicinal cannabis in reducing Tourette syndrome symptoms but also its potential in alleviating associated conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety.