Tourettes Syndrome
Tourette's Syndrome, or TS is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by involuntary tics. While often portrayed in the media for comedic effect, it's a serious disease, and patients who suffer from the more debilitating forms can cause serious injury to themselves because of the tics and spasms. Estimates say that there are about 100,000 people with Tourette's Syndrome in the United States alone. At present, there is no known cure, but patients say their symptoms lessen as they age.
Beginning with a casual German study in 1997, there have been several research products that have demonstrated that TS patients may see a decrease in their tics and other related behaviors, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, when using THC, the "active ingredient" in cannabis. None of the studies showed any impairment of cognitive function.
A more recent, more comprehensive study took place in 2003. In that study, Tourette's Syndrome patients were given either THC or placebo for six weeks, and asked to track their daily tics. Patients taking THC showed a significant decrease in tics, with no adverse effects, or negative effects on verbal memory, recall, or learning abilities. In a paper published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, the researchers' conclusion was that "Therapy with delta-9 THC should be tried…" at least for adult patients.
Today, the use of medical marijuana to treat Tourette's is still not officially sanctioned, even in the states where cannabis is authorized to treat other diseases. In Colorado, it was recently rejected as an authorized disease for medical marijuana certification. Nevertheless, when the traditional treatments for TS fail to work, or the only available medications come with risky side effects (at least one can cause heart problems), both clinical and anecdotal evidence support the use of cannabis as a viable option.
Compulsions and ritualistic behaviors--Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADD or ADHD)--Learning disabilities--Difficulties with impulse control--Sleep disorders...Several medications can help control tics, including:
◦Clonidine (Catapres), pimozide (Orap), risperidone (Risperdal), and haloperidol (Haldol)
◦Newer antipsychotic medications, such as aripiprazole (Abilify) and ziprasidone (Geodon)
■Obsessive-compulsive symptoms may be treated with:
◦Fluoxetine (Prozac), clomipramine (Anafranil), sertraline (Zoloft), or other similar medications
■Symptoms of ADHD may be treated with:
◦Stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), pemoline (Cylert), dextroamphetamine sulfate (Dexedrine), or tricyclic antidepressants..Clinical testing has shown the use of cannabis is a viable treatment option....Why wouldn't people want to it as a healthier alternative to all these other medications?????
amazing to me how many great
things medical marijuana can
and does do
My shortness of breath that they thought was asthma I would now argue was merely a tense diaphragm/abdomen. Circulation and strength is returning to my toes, fingers, and joints. My occasional hip complaint since about age 8 has finally subsided with a sense of permanency. My sex organs feel looser and more comfortable (it's straighter!)
I can stretch further, I can focus longer, and my motivation and social responsiveness has improved dramatically.
If you or your child seems strange at first, remember, they are experiencing a brand new world view which often requires all kinds of new muscle development to adjust properly. If they are excited, it's because they've never felt better! Don't let that scare you. Happiness is a good thing.
When I laugh really hard now, I buckle and fall because my balance still has a long way to go. Love and patience are the most important practices to offer useful support. Kids with complicated sensory touch issues might not like the lights in the doctors office or your tone of voice for instance. They may need more time for tasks that others can do quickly and it's important that everything goes smoothly for the road to recovery to be worth it.
It has been the most exciting and unexpected discovery of my life!
That said, while these disorders are inarguably frustrating and painful, I also recognize that I possess a special ability to view the world around me as a result of coping with CONSTANT angst. After encountering successful treatment as a mature adult, nothing seems impossible to me. Do I wish I could have had relief a little earlier in life? Probably, but I'm sure how early...
My favorite book that relates to these challenges is Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin.
How do I find this Mindocino purple?
researched TS and been in touch w/ TSA. Trying to find causes for what is really a descriptive diagnosis can be difficult. Rule out strept, lyme, toxoplasmosis. All so overwhelming. Will, your post brings new hope. Dispensaries where I live have been raided and many closed down.