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Surprising Science

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.

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.”


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