Marijuana and pregnancy
Effects of marijuana on the pregnant woman and fetus
The use of marijuana during pregnancy raises many questions about the effects of psychoactive substances on the body of the unborn child. Most of the effects of cannabis are related to THC, a psychoactive compound, as well as cannabidiol (CBD). These elements penetrate the placenta, which affects the fetus during its development.
The substance THC affects the neurochemical processes in the baby's brain. These changes can affect mental development, causing difficulties with information perception, concentration, and other cognitive functioning later in life. While cannabidiol (CBD) has some medical uses, the benefits of cannabis use in pregnancy are not fully understood, and the risks to the fetus outweigh the benefits.
Cannabis use, as well as tobacco use, affects the placental barrier - the protective environment for the fetus struggles to prevent the penetration of psychoactive components. As a consequence of such effects, the child is born underweight, with problems with the neuromuscular system, with difficulties in social adaptation. These phenomena are directly related to the harm that cannabis and tobacco cause to the body of the pregnant woman.
Cannabis use during pregnancy
The use of medical marijuana during pregnancy raises many questions and controversies. Pregnant women resort to cannabis in hopes of coping with nausea, anxiety, or other discomfort. Marijuana for nausea in pregnancy seems like a safe way to reduce discomfort, but the reality is different.
Cannabis use affects the body of the unborn child. During this exposure, the psychoactive THC passes through the placenta, which can cause negative developmental changes on the fetus. These changes will manifest in mental development, difficulties with concentration and perception, which affects the child's life even after they are born.
Smoking cannabis during pregnancy also affects the oxygen supply to the fetus. As a result of the lack of oxygen, the baby may be born with low birth weight, neuropsychiatric development, and social adaptation problems. These effects are a direct consequence of cannabis exposure.
Cannabis use during pregnancy also affects the psychological state of the mother herself. It can cause anxiety, paranoia, neuropsychiatric discomfort, which affects the readiness for motherhood and the quality of the relationship with the newborn baby.
Myths and truths about marijuana and mental health
Marijuana and mental health during pregnancy is a topic that raises many questions and debates. Pregnant women resort to cannabis in the hope of reducing anxiety, stress and nausea, but in reality they get the opposite effect. During this exposure, the psychoactive THC affects the mental process, which affects the mother herself and the development of the fetus.
Here are the main myths and truths about marijuana during pregnancy:
- Cannabis use is perfectly safe for a child - MYTH
In fact, marijuana use during pregnancy affects the psychological process, which can manifest itself in difficulties with perception, concentration, and the social adaptation of the child later in life. - Mothers who take cannabis find it easier to cope with anxiety - MYTH
Smoking cannabis in pregnancy can cause paranoia, anxiety and stress. These manifestations are detrimental to the psychological health of the woman herself and affect her readiness to transition to motherhood with a stable mental background. - Evidence of marijuana's benefits for pregnant women exists - MYTH
To date, the benefits of cannabis use in pregnancy have been thoroughly analyzed by experts, but the benefits have never been confirmed through large, carefully organized clinical trials. These claims remain merely unsubstantiated. - Medical marijuana is ineffective during pregnancy - TRUTH
Doctors agree that medical marijuana is not used during the maternity period due to a lack of data on its safety. While cannabidiol (CBD) is used in other medical applications, for a pregnant woman, the benefits of such use are completely overridden by potential dangers.
Harms and consequences of cannabis use in pregnancy
Cannabis use affects the course of pregnancy, the development of the fetus and the psychological process of the mother herself. The harm of this exposure is the irreversible threat to the health of the child, which should be kept in mind before making such a choice. Research also confirms that the efficacy of THC in pregnancy does not exist, and the risk of negative effects far outweighs any potential benefits.
The use of medical marijuana during pregnancy has negative effects on different body systems - nervous, immune, and cardio-muscular. These effects affect the psychological development of the child, which manifests itself in difficulties with perception, concentration and social adaptation later in life.
Smoking cannabis during pregnancy also affects the placenta - the permeability increases, which allows psychoactive substances to penetrate the fetus. As a consequence of such effects, including the mother's drinking alcohol during pregnancy, the child is born with low body weight, insufficient neuropsychiatric development and other problems, which affects his or her life.
Cannabis use is a real threat, so such a drug for pregnant women is an increased danger, as confirmed by medicine. While CBD in pregnancy is used in other ways, for the future mom herself, the benefits of such use are completely overridden by potential threats.
