Can You Eat Edibles While Pregnant?
Christopher Visser
Multi-Cannabis Business Owner
Christopher Visser, the Founder and CEO of Cannabidiol Life and THCGummies.com, is a distinguished figure in the CBD industry, recognized for his pioneering contributions since 2016. With over 120 published articles, Christopher has become a reputable cannabis researcher, writer, and author. He's built two prosperous cannabis ventures that collectively generated millions in annual sales. His in-depth analysis of numerous cannabis studies, collaboration with medical professionals, and personal engagement with thousands of customers underline his expertise and commitment to advancing cannabis understanding daily.
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Written By:
Christopher Visser
- Published:
- Updated: February 8, 2024
- Too Quiet, Light Up The Convo!
As marijuana use becomes increasingly legalized and socially accepted, many expectant mothers wonder whether using THC edibles during pregnancy is safe.
In this article, we’ll explore the effects of marijuana use on pregnant women and their babies and discuss the recommendations from healthcare professionals regarding THC edibles and other forms of cannabis use.
Table of Contents
Let’s cover the FAQs first for those that are under time constraints.
FAQ
Is it safe to eat edibles while pregnant?
No, it is not safe to eat edibles while pregnant. Healthcare professionals, including the ACOG and CDC, advise against all forms of marijuana use during pregnancy due to the potential risks to the developing fetus.
What are the dangers of edibles when pregnant?
Some potential dangers of consuming edibles while pregnant include low birth weight, premature birth, stillbirth, and an increased risk of cognitive and behavioral issues later in life.
Is micro-dosing THC safe for pregnant women?
There is no established safe level of THC exposure for pregnant women, and the FDA advises against using THC-infused products during pregnancy.
Is it safer to eat edibles in the first trimester or the last?
A 2022 study by Jama Pediatrics suggests that marijuana use during the first trimester may be associated with a higher risk of cognitive and behavioral issues in children. However, the extent of the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy varies more heavily on the frequency and the amount of THC consumed while the baby is in utero rather than the timing.
How do edibles affect the fetus?
Edibles can affect the fetus by exposing it to THC, which can cross the placenta and potentially lead to low birth weight, premature birth, stillbirth, and cognitive and behavioral issues later in life.
What's the worst thing that can happen if I eat an edible while pregnant?
The worst potential outcomes of consuming edibles while pregnant include stillbirth, severe cognitive and behavioral issues in the child, and other pregnancy complications.
The Effects of Marijuana on Pregnant Women
There is a growing body of research on the effects of marijuana on pregnant women, but the results are not yet conclusive. Some studies suggest that prenatal cannabis use may be associated with lower birth weights, preterm birth, and neonatal issues [1].
However, other research has found no significant link between marijuana use and adverse birth outcomes [2].
Kind of crazy, right?
Here are some basics you should know if, by chance, you don’t already.
Marijuana plants, cannabis plants, and industrial hemp plants contain two of the most proficient cannabinoids out of the 110+ that have been identified; tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), and both cannabinoids that can affect the body and brain in very different ways.
Unlike CBD, which is only psychoactive (activates the mind), THC is both psychoactive and psychotropic (alters the state of mind). Both of these cannabinoids, however, have been shown to be beneficial in reducing symptoms of nausea and pain.
Learning the above, here’s a quick fact I want to share, which I follow up with a one-question poll that I’d love for you to partake in and try to answer.
Studies show that both CBD and THC can cross the placenta and enter the baby’s brain during pregnancy, potentially affecting brain development [3].
ONE-QUESTION POP QUIZ!
I’m a huge fan and advocate of cannabis, I don’t ever want that to be challenged… However, altering the state of your growing babies mind while the foundation blocks of the brain are being built is just too risky.
Here’s a photo of my little miracle peanut when she was a few weeks old.
The Risks of Smoking and Vaping Marijuana
Smoking weed and vaping are known to have negative health effects, particularly during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) both advise against smoking or vaping marijuana while pregnant due to the potential risks to the baby [4] [5].
THC Edibles and Pregnancy
While edibles offer an alternative to smoking and vaping, they still contain THC, which can negatively affect a developing fetus. Moreover, the amount of THC in edibles can be unpredictable, potentially exposing the baby to higher levels of the substance than intended.
Several organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), discourage pregnant women from consuming THC edibles or any other form of marijuana during pregnancy [6].
THC Gummies and Breastfeeding
A study showed that Cannabis edibles are the most common “drug” women use during pregnancy [7], and even with rare to infrequent use, THC is detectable in breast milk.
In fact, it is estimated that 1/3 of the THC plasma levels in the mother’s blood cross the fetoplacental barrier [8].
Studies have shown that THC can be passed to the baby through breastfeeding, which may affect the baby’s developing brain and lead to long-term issues with executive functioning [9].
Now, I’ll throw a cute little monkey wrench into the mix just to stir things up a bit.
This recent study published on October 8, 2021, by the American Academy of Pediatrics stated that breast milk from mothers using marijuana actually doesn’t hurt the short-term health of premature infants as suspected initially. However, the study did share that the long-term effects are still unknown [10].
Addressing Morning Sickness and Mental Health
Some women may turn to marijuana, including edibles, to help manage morning sickness or to alleviate stress and anxiety during pregnancy. Directly, it’s just not recommended, not even by Holistic healthcare practitioners.
Instead, most recommend alternative remedies, such as ginger, vitamin B6, or prescription medications, to address morning sickness [11].
Pregnant women should consult with their healthcare provider to discuss safe and effective treatments for mental health concerns.
The Bottom Line: Can You Eat Edibles If You’re Pregnant?
The consensus among healthcare professionals is that pregnant women should not eat THC edibles, smoke marijuana, or vape cannabis while pregnant. However, the consumption of THC while breastfeeding seems to be a different story.
What I’ve found from my research, with everything verifiable by visiting the references I’ve provided below, here are my non-medical recommendations:
- Don’t consume THC if you are pregnant. Plenty of evidence shows the adverse side effects and how unsafe it is for the proper neurodevelopment of your preborn baby.
- You may be able to consume small amounts of THC while breastfeeding without causing any harm to your baby (short-term wise). Parents.com seems to acknowledge this study as well.
Final Advice & Conclusion
All in all, you must know that none of this information is concrete, and as a mother, you should always choose what’s best for your baby. More research and testing are absolutely needed to understand the long-term effects of prenatal cannabis use fully.
I’m not a medical professional; however, I am highly knowledgeable and well-experienced with Cannabis. Thus, please do not take any information I share as medical advice.
Instead, take this information to your OB/GYN or primary healthcare provider and have a human-to-human, open-minded conversation using the latest research on the safety of eating edibles while pregnant.
If you feel that you may have a substance abuse issue, please be open and honest with your healthcare team. This is crucial to ensure that you, and your soon-to-be precious bundle of joy, receive the best care possible.
Lastly, and certainly not most importantly…
Once you’ve had your beautiful baby and are no longer breastfeeding, please ensure you come back and get your high-quality edibles from THCGummies.com.
We have the BEST THC GUMMIES ONLINE™!
References:
- https://jamanetwork.com/2788451
- https://journals.lww.com-Maternal-Marijuana-Use-and-Adverse-Neonatal.6.aspx
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc-articles-PMC7481314/
- https://www.acog.org/clinical-marijuana-use-during-pregnancy-and-lactation
- https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana-health-effects/pregnancy.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov-books/NBK582814/
- https://www.openminds.com-pregnancy-sub-abuse.pdf
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov-2538691/
- https://nida.nih.gov/cannabis-safe-to-use-while-pregnant-or-breastfeeding
- https://www.sciencedaily.com-8083531.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-PMC4649576/
If this article sparked a new insight, pass the flame…
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