CBD Safety During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Consult Your Doctor

Author: CBD Research and Development Team, CiiTECH

Introduction

Cannabidiol (CBD) has gained popularity in recent years due to its potential therapeutic properties, ranging from anxiety relief to pain management (Bhattacharyya et al., 2010). As a result, many people are considering using CBD products to manage various health issues. However, for expectant and breastfeeding mothers, the question of whether it’s safe to use CBD during pregnancy or while nursing remains a critical concern. In this blog post, we will explore this topic and emphasise the importance of consulting your healthcare provider before using CBD during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

CBD and Pregnancy: What We Know So Far

CBD is a non-psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant. It doesn’t produce the “high” associated with its more famous cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (Izzo et al., 2009). Some studies suggest that CBD may have potential health benefits, but research regarding its effects on pregnant women is still limited (Freeman et al., 2019).

While there is no concrete evidence that CBD is harmful to a developing foetus, there is also not enough data to guarantee its safety. In fact, some studies have suggested that cannabinoids, including CBD, can cross the placental barrier and potentially affect the development of the baby’s brain (Hurd et al., 2019). Therefore, the potential risks of using CBD during pregnancy remain unclear.

Breastfeeding and CBD: The Limited Research

Similar to pregnancy, the safety of using CBD while breastfeeding is not well understood. Breast milk naturally contains cannabinoids, such as endocannabinoids, which play an essential role in the baby’s growth and development (Fride, 2004). However, the impact of CBD supplementation on the composition of breast milk and the baby’s development is not yet known.

Moreover, it is possible that CBD could enter the breast milk and affect the nursing infant. Since there is limited research on this topic, the potential consequences of CBD exposure through breast milk are not yet clear.

Consulting Your Doctor: Why It’s Important

As the research on CBD use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is limited, it’s crucial to consult your healthcare provider before using CBD products. Your doctor is best equipped to assess your individual health needs and consider any potential risks associated with CBD use.

Your healthcare provider can offer guidance on the following:

1. Assessing the potential benefits and risks of CBD use based on your specific health condition and individual circumstances.
2. Evaluating alternative treatments or therapies that may be safer for you and your baby during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
3. Monitoring your health and your baby’s development if you decide to use CBD with their approval.

In Conclusion

While CBD may offer potential health benefits, its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not well understood. Due to the lack of research and potential risks, it’s crucial for expectant and nursing mothers to consult their healthcare providers before using CBD products. Your doctor can help you weigh the potential benefits and risks and guide you in making the best decision for you and your baby’s health.

References

Bhattacharyya, S., Morrison, P. D., Fusar-Poli, P., Martin-Santos, R., Borgwardt, S., Winton-Brown, T., Nosarti, C., O’Carroll, C. M., Seal, M., Allen, P., Mehta, M. A., Stone, J. M., Tunstall, N., Giampietro, V., Kapur, S., Murray, R. M., Zuardi, A. W., Crippa, J. A., Atakan, Z., & McGuire, P. K. (2010). Opposite effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on human brain function and psychopathology. Neuropsychopharmacology, 35(3), 764-774. [Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/npp201058]

Fride, E. (2004). The endocannabinoid-CB1 receptor system in pre- and postnatal life. European Journal of Pharmacology, 500(1-3), 289-297. [Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299904007478]

Freeman, T. P., Hindocha, C., Baio, G., Shaban, N. D., Thomas, E. M., Astbury, D., Freeman, A. M., Lees, R., Ferris, J. A., Rupasinghe, I., Curran, H. V., & Nutt, D. J. (2019). Cannabidiol for the treatment of cannabis use disorder: a phase 2a, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, adaptive Bayesian trial. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(10), 865-874. [Link: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(19)30276-9/fulltext]

Hurd, Y. L., Manzoni, O. J., Pletnikov, M. V., Lee, F. S., Bhattacharyya, S., & Melis, M. (2019). Cannabis and the developing brain: insights into its long-lasting effects. The Journal of Neuroscience, 39(42), 8250-8258. [Link: https://www.jneurosci.org/content/39/42/8250]

Izzo, A. A., Borrelli, F., Capasso, R., Di Marzo, V., & Mechoulam, R. (2009). Non-psychotropic plant cannabinoids: new therapeutic opportunities from an ancient herb. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 30(10), 515-527. [Link: https://www.cell.com/trends/pharmacological-sciences/fulltext/S0165-6147(09)00128-X]