CBD in Pregnancy, is it Safe to use CBD Oil During Pregnancy?

CBD short form for Cannabidiol is the main component found in the leaves of the cannabis plan. THC, short form Tetrahydrocannabinol, is another component found in the leaves of the cannabis plant. THC is psychoactive in nature, however CBD is non-psychoactive and non-toxicating.

CBD has recently gained popularity due to its medicinal properties like relieving stress, anxiety, alleviating pain and nausea. With more and more people incorporating CBD as a part of their health and wellness routine, one might wonder if it is safe to use CBD oil during pregnancy, considering it is a plant-based product. Keeping its benefits aside, it is suggested that pregnant and nursing women should avoid the use of CBD.

The Food and Drug Administration warns pregnant and nursing women to use any kind of CBD products as it could pose serious risks to the fetus or the baby.

Benefits of CBD

Experts are still researching how CBD can be beneficial to the human body. There are some researches that have recognised the potential benefits of CBD, including:

Pain Relief
Nausea Relief
Improved Sleep
Reduced Anxiety

Why do experts consider CBD unsafe during pregnancy?

Despite being non-psychoactive, experts recommend that pregnant or nursing women should avoid the use of CBD entirely.

The research around CBD is very limited and hence there is not enough data to confirm that CBD is safe for pregnant women.

There was a study conducted in 1986 that suggested that exposure to CBD during gestation or the day after birth affected sperm count and testicular function in male rats, but there isn’t any recent data to back up this claim.

Risk from Contaminated CBD products:

When it comes to quality, not all CBD products are pure. One must consider checking third-party lab test reports while buying any CBD product.

The FDA also suggests that there is a potential for CBD products to be contaminated with substances that may cause a risk to the fetus or breastfed baby, including THC. They have also heard reports of CBD potentially containing other contaminants like heavy metals. pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria, and fungus. Though there is not much evidence available, they are investigating this.

CBD can potentially cause some side effects like:

Dehydration
Fatigue
Appetite Changes
Diarrhea

The FDA is studying the effects of CBD use from different angles, such as:

(1) the use of CBD-containing products, like food, cosmetics, or supplements, over a person’s entire life; and
(2) the effects of using these various products in combination. There are many unanswered questions about the science, safety, and quality of products containing CBD.

The FDA plans on learning more about the effects of CBD during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, including whether and to what extent the presence of CBD in human milk harms the breastfed baby or the mother’s milk production.

Summary:

The use of CBD during pregnancy or breastfeeding requires careful consideration. There is a lack of comprehensive and conclusive scientific research on the effects of CBD on pregnancy and therefore it is generally advised that pregnant individuals avoid using CBD during pregnancy unless recommended by a healthcare professional.

Some studies have also suggested that CBD, can cross the placenta and reach the fetus, raising concerns about potential effects on fetal development.
The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in fetal development, and any disruption to this system could potentially lead to adverse outcomes.

If you are considering using CBD for any reason during pregnancy, it's essential to have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider to make an informed decision based on your individual circumstances.