The Benefits of Having Tourette’s

The struggle to overcome Tourette’s syndrome or even severe stuttering increases cognitive control in the prefrontal cortex because individuals suppress purely reflexive behavior. “It’s a bit counter-intuitive to think the vocal and motor tics associated with Tourette’s syndrome could be a blessing. But neuroscience buff Jonah Lehrer makes that very case in his recent post The Advantages of Tourette’s. Though Lehrer doesn’t have Tourette’s, he had a severe stutter in his youth and argues that overcoming such obstacles has an empowering effect.”