Marijuana and Tourettes

How MMJ Health can help Patients with Tourettes

What is Tourette's Syndrome?

Tourettes is a neurological condition typically first diagnosed in childhood and affects around 1% of the population. It is characterized by involuntary movements and vocalizations known as tics. Tics can be either motor or vocal, and may be simple or complex. Simple tics involve brief, repetitive movements or vocalizations, while complex tics are more involved and may include several movements or phrases.

While there is currently no known cure for Tourettes, medical marijuana has been shown to provide relief for many individuals who suffer from this condition.

Symptoms of Tourettes

Symptoms of Tourettes can vary in frequency, severity, and type from person to person. Common symptoms of TS may include:

Motor tics: These are involuntary movements such as eye blinking, facial grimacing, head jerking, shoulder shrugging, and body twisting.
Vocal tics: These are involuntary vocalizations such as throat clearing, grunting, coughing, sniffing, and shouting.
Coprolalia: This is a type of vocal tic characterized by involuntary use of socially inappropriate or taboo words.
Echolalia: This is a type of vocal tic characterized by involuntary repetition of words or phrases spoken by others.

It’s important to note that while these symptoms can be distressing and disruptive, most people with TS lead fulfilling lives with proper management and support.

Types of Tourettes

There are three main types of Tourette’s syndrome, which are differentiated based on the types of tics present:

Simple motor tics: These are sudden, brief, repetitive movements that involve a limited number of muscle groups, such as eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, facial grimacing, or head jerking.
Simple vocal tics: These are sudden, brief, repetitive sounds or noises that do not involve words or phrases, such as throat clearing, grunting, or sniffing.
Complex tics: These are coordinated patterns of movements or vocalizations that involve multiple muscle groups, such as jumping, spinning, touching objects, repeating words or phrases (echolalia), or making obscene gestures (coprolalia).

Diagnosing Tourettes

The diagnosis of Tourette syndrome typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and neurological evaluation. Here are the steps a doctor may take to diagnose Tourette syndrome:

Medical history: The doctor will ask about the patient's symptoms and family history of tics, vocalizations, or other neurological disorders.
Physical examination: The doctor will perform a thorough physical examination to assess the patient's motor and vocal tics, and to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
Neurological evaluation: The doctor may recommend a neurological evaluation, which may include an electroencephalogram (EEG) or brain imaging studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans.

Diagnostic criteria: The doctor will assess the patient's symptoms against the diagnostic criteria for Tourette syndrome as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Other tests: The doctor may order additional tests to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Once the diagnosis of Tourette syndrome is confirmed, the doctor may recommend treatment options, such as medications or behavioral therapy, to manage the patient’s symptoms.

Best Terpenes for Tourettes

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis that have been shown to have therapeutic effects. Some terpenes have been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety and stress, which can trigger tics in individuals with Tourettes. Below are terpenes that are most helpful for managing symptoms of Tourettes

Pinene

Has anti-inflammatory properties and may help with anxiety

Limonene

May have anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects

Linalool

Has relaxing and calming effects

Myrcene

Known for its relaxing and sedative effects

Beta-caryophyllene

Has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties

Best Strains for Tourettes

Cannabis has been shown to be effective in reducing tics and other associated symptoms in individuals with Tourettes. The cannabinoids in cannabis, such as THC and CBD, work to regulate the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for many of the body’s regulatory functions. This can help to reduce the severity and frequency of tics and other associated symptoms.

Afghani

A pure indica strain that may help alleviate anxiety, stress, and muscle tension

Granddaddy Purple

An indica-dominant strain that may help with anxiety and muscle spasms

Blueberry

an indica-dominant strain that may help with anxiety and muscle spasms

Cannatonic

A high-CBD strain that may help with anxiety, muscle tension, and spasms

Sour Diesel

A sativa-dominant strain that may help with anxiety and depression

Jack Herer

A sativa-dominant strain that may help with anxiety and muscle tension

Northern Lights

An indica-dominant strain that may help with anxiety and muscle spasms

Pineapple Express

A sativa-dominant strain that may help with anxiety and depression

Harlequin

A high-CBD strain that may help with anxiety and muscle tension

Blue Dream

A sativa-dominant strain that may help with anxiety and stress

Lemon Sour Diesel

A Sativa-dominant hybrid strain known for its invigorating and mood-boosting effects and may help alleviate anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders

Durban Poison

a pure Sativa strain known for its energetic and uplifting effects and may help alleviate anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders

Blackberry Kush

Indica-dominant hybrid strain known for its potent body relaxation and pain-relieving effects, as well as helping with muscle spasms and tics

Girl Scout Cookies

A hybrid strain that may help with anxiety, depression, and muscle spasms

Best Online Tools for Tourettes

Here are some websites with in-depth information about Tourettes.

What can a Florida Medical Marijuana Doctor do for People with Tourettes Syndrome?

A Florida Medical Marijuana Doctor like MMJ Health can help patients with Tourettes to obtain a medical marijuana card, which will allow them to legally obtain and use medical marijuana for their condition. Our doctors can also help patients to choose the best strains and dosages of medical marijuana to help manage their symptoms.

Tourettes is a challenging condition to live with, but medical marijuana has been shown to provide relief for many individuals who suffer from this condition. With the help of a Florida Medical Marijuana Doctor, patients with Tourettes can obtain the relief they need to lead a more comfortable and fulfilling life. Book an appointment now to start your journey toward relief.