{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/pregnancy/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_3076-markdown","title":"Is It Safe for Pregnant Women to Take CBD?","slug":"is-it-safe-for-pregnant-women-to-take-cbd","content":"Cannabidiol (CBD) has well-documented benefits for many health conditions. Research shows that this calming cannabinoid works with the body’s natural system of endocannabinoid receptors to relieve pain, ease anxiety, improve digestion and more.  \n\nBut [is it safe to consume CBD while you’re pregnant](https://www.hellomd.com/answers/57f5d66c0a6dfc000b6f0cee/is-it-safe-to-use-cbd-products-during-pregnancy)?  \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_us/?utm_medium=copy_link/)\n\nSome pregnancy and parenting resources say CBD is a safe and natural way to relieve the discomforts of pregnancy without the risks and side effects of prescription or over-the-counter medications. \n\nRELATED: [USING CBD TO HELP EASE DIGESTIVE ISSUES](https://hellomd.com/articles/using-cbd-to-help-ease-digestive-issues/)\n\nBut research on the effects of CBD during pregnancy is limited, and scientists can’t say for sure how it may affect a developing fetus. Because the long-term effects of taking CBD in pregnancy aren’t known, many doctors recommend avoiding it altogether, except in rare instances where the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.\n\n### What We Know About Consuming THC During Pregnancy\n\nBetween 2000 and 2017, [cannabis consumption doubled among pregnant women in the U.S.](https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/news-releases/2019/06/study-finds-increased-cannabis-use-during-pregnancy), especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. \n\nA Canadian study found that over three quarters of women surveyed took cannabis during pregnancy for symptoms like nausea, even though they were aware of [warnings about potential risks to fetal health](https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/11/20/18068894/marijuana-pregnancy).\n\nThese statistics are raising concern among health care professionals. Current research indicates that [consuming cannabis during pregnancy can affect fetal development](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27567698). \n\nWhole-plant cannabis contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound that causes consumers to feel high. THC also activates receptors in the body’s natural endocannabinoid receptor system (ECS). The ECS is a network of cell receptors that responds to endocannabinoids as well as cannabinoids from outside sources, mainly the cannabis plant.\n\nThe ECS also plays a key role in supporting the development of the brain and nervous system. Recent studies reveal that THC can cross the placental barrier, so prenatal exposure to THC, even in small amounts, has the potential to cause long- lasting neurological harm in a developing fetus. \n\nThis can include problems with things like:\n\n* Learning\n* Coordination\n* Fine motor control \n\nResearch also indicates that consuming cannabis while pregnant can also lead to babies with low birth weight.\n\n[Advocates of cannabis consumption during pregnancy point to a study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1957518) from the 1980s on a group of Jamaican children whose mothers consumed cannabis during pregnancy.  At a five-year follow-up in 1991, researchers found no differences in development between these children and a control group whose mothers hadn’t consumed cannabis when they were pregnant.\n\nBut today’s cannabis is very different from the natural plant grown in rural Jamaica decades ago. Most marijuana strains are now hybrids that typically have a higher THC content than strains cultivated in earlier years. \n\nMeanwhile, different methods of consuming cannabis can deliver varying amounts of THC and other compounds into the bloodstream. For example, when smoking cannabis, THC and other compounds reach the bloodstream directly and very quickly, but the digestive system and liver processes marijuana edibles. This is why they act much more slowly.  \n\nBut because there’s [so little research on cannabis consumption in pregnancy](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6211194/), scientists are still searching for a clear picture of the many ways in which cannabis can affect fetal development. \n\nBecause scientists don’t know how individual cannabis compounds like CBD can affect pregnancy, doctors are reluctant to green-light their use. And this is despite the fact that research on adults in general shows that these compounds are likely to be safe and beneficial.\n\n### CBD Has Many Health Benefits—But Not While You’re Pregnant\n\nCBD doesn’t cause consumers to feel high like THC can and boasts an impressive list of health benefits. \n\nHowever, CBD can have some undesirable side effects, such as gastric upsets. In general though, research has shown that it’s safe and doesn’t affect essential processes like:\n\n* Heart rate\n* Blood pressure \n* Respiration  \n\nResearch has also shown that CBD can:\n\n* Support the immune system\n* Reduce inflammation\n* Relieve pain\n* Improve appetite\n* Protect neural pathways in the brain\n* Keep the ECS in balance\n* Relieve anxiety, depression and other symptoms of mood disorders\n* Reduce symptoms of a wide variety of conditions including epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease\n\nA number of the health problems that CBD can help with are also present during pregnancy, such as:\n\n* Nausea\n* Aches and pains\n* Mood changes\n\nThis is why a number of parenting and pregnancy resources are eager to recommend CBD as a safe and effective alternative to pharmaceuticals and over-the- counter remedies. And in states where medical cannabis is legal, [dispensaries may even cite cannabis as a natural remedy for morning sickness](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2019/08/14/smoking-weed-morning-sickness-pregnancy-risks-preterm-births-brain-development-prescription-drugs/1906148001/?utm_sq=g60y59q679).\n\nBut medical experts maintain that with a very few rare exceptions, it’s best to avoid cannabis from all sources during pregnancy—including CBD isolates in all forms, even topicals.\n\nHelloMD’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Patricia Frye, agrees. “The science is conflicting,” she says. “And until the science is conclusive, no cannabis products are recommended during pregnancy—unless the risk of low birth weight and/or neurodevelopmental adverse effects is outweighed by the benefit to the mother. And those instances are rare.”\n\nAmong the exceptional instances is a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. This is a relatively rare but debilitating form of morning sickness that causes extreme and frequent episodes of vomiting. The condition can be so severe that the sufferer:\n\n* Is unable to eat\n* Becomes dehydrated \n* Can even require hospitalization  \n\nWhen someone develops hyperemesis gravidarum, her baby loses essential nutrients and faces the risk of numerous other complications. Medications for hyperemesis gravidarum can have their own side effects, so CBD could be a safer alternative to relieve nausea and improve appetite.\n\nCBD may also be appropriate for a pregnant woman with severe epilepsy or psychosis when standard medications don’t work or have even greater potential to harm a developing fetus. \n\nBut Dr. Frye emphasizes that these situations are extraordinary. “These are rare and extreme cases,” she says. “I wouldn’t be willing to take the chance unless it were something that monumental. It’s all about risk vs. benefit.”\n\nCBD can be a largely safe and effective way to relieve the symptoms of a multitude of health problems. This is why it appeals to those looking for natural, nonmedical support during pregnancy. But without more research to show that it’s safe, doctors say it’s best to save your favorite CBD products until after your baby is born, and you’re no longer breastfeeding.\n\nPhoto credit: ArtFamily/shutterstock.com\n\nWant to try CBD, but don’t know where to start? [Shop our selection of high-quality, lab-tested CBD products](https://hellomd.com/) and have them shipped to your door. And if you have questions about CBD, [ask them](https://hellomd.com/questions-and-answers/) and our community will answer.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/bafab2c1c88e9faf0f59a56c5e70129f/14b42/accbc0b899b1bffd03ec8c987cdf6210.jpg","srcSet":"/static/bafab2c1c88e9faf0f59a56c5e70129f/f836f/accbc0b899b1bffd03ec8c987cdf6210.jpg 200w,\n/static/bafab2c1c88e9faf0f59a56c5e70129f/2244e/accbc0b899b1bffd03ec8c987cdf6210.jpg 400w,\n/static/bafab2c1c88e9faf0f59a56c5e70129f/14b42/accbc0b899b1bffd03ec8c987cdf6210.jpg 800w,\n/static/bafab2c1c88e9faf0f59a56c5e70129f/47498/accbc0b899b1bffd03ec8c987cdf6210.jpg 1200w,\n/static/bafab2c1c88e9faf0f59a56c5e70129f/0e329/accbc0b899b1bffd03ec8c987cdf6210.jpg 1600w,\n/static/bafab2c1c88e9faf0f59a56c5e70129f/ca9e1/accbc0b899b1bffd03ec8c987cdf6210.jpg 1775w","srcWebp":"/static/bafab2c1c88e9faf0f59a56c5e70129f/58556/accbc0b899b1bffd03ec8c987cdf6210.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/bafab2c1c88e9faf0f59a56c5e70129f/61e93/accbc0b899b1bffd03ec8c987cdf6210.webp 200w,\n/static/bafab2c1c88e9faf0f59a56c5e70129f/1f5c5/accbc0b899b1bffd03ec8c987cdf6210.webp 400w,\n/static/bafab2c1c88e9faf0f59a56c5e70129f/58556/accbc0b899b1bffd03ec8c987cdf6210.webp 800w,\n/static/bafab2c1c88e9faf0f59a56c5e70129f/99238/accbc0b899b1bffd03ec8c987cdf6210.webp 1200w,\n/static/bafab2c1c88e9faf0f59a56c5e70129f/7c22d/accbc0b899b1bffd03ec8c987cdf6210.webp 1600w,\n/static/bafab2c1c88e9faf0f59a56c5e70129f/9858d/accbc0b899b1bffd03ec8c987cdf6210.webp 1775w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2763-markdown","title":"Should I Stop Taking Cannabis if I’m Trying to Conceive?","slug":"should-i-stop-taking-cannabis-if-im-trying-to-conceive","content":"Cannabis legalization means more and more people are able to take marijuana medicinally and recreationally. But as cannabis consumption increases, many are wondering what affect marijuana may have on our reproductive health. From lowering sperm count and testosterone levels in men to causing skipped periods or creating an inhospitable environment for sperm in women, there are potential impacts that cannabis can have on your ability to get pregnant. \n\nDoes cannabis use lead to infertility? Should you stop consuming cannabis if you’re trying to conceive? \n\nFor those folks who are trying for a baby, these questions—and their answers—are crucial. And the data may surprise you. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en) \n\n### Fertility Concerns for Cannabis-Consuming Men \n\nIt’s no secret that cannabis seems to affect fertility in men. But how and to what extent? If you’re a man who uses cannabis and are trying to conceive, it’s important to get the facts straight. Here are a few of the cannabis fertility factors that we know about for men.\n\nRELATED: [HOW MARIJUANA AFFECTS MEN’S SEXUAL HEALTH](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5acae9b5f24d1300077ccbc2/how-marijuana-affects-mens-sexual-health)\n\n#### Cannabis Seems to Lower Sperm Count\n\nRumors of the plant causing lower sperm count have been floating around for a while now. And researchers are compiling some pretty significant evidence to back up these claims. \n\nIn 2003, researchers from the University of Buffalo found that when compared with healthy fertile controls, [men who used cannabis daily had lower sperm count and less semen volume](http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2003/10/6427.html). More recently, a [2015 study from the _American Journal of Epidemiology_ supported these findings with similar results. They found that men who consumed cannabis more than once a week had on average a [29% lower sperm count and 28% lower sperm concentration](https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/182/6/473/82600) than men who didn't consume cannabis. \n\nThis all suggests that cannabis can drastically affect sperm count when consumed regularly. So, if you’re trying to conceive and having a hard time, marijuana could be the culprit. \n\nBut don’t start thinking of cannabis as a form of male birth control. It’s still very possible to get someone pregnant while using cannabis. Lani J. Burkman, Ph.D., the researcher who led the 2003 study, says not all men who use cannabis suffer from infertility.\n\nShe explains, \"The men who are most affected likely have naturally occurring borderline fertility potential, and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) from marijuana may push them over the edge into infertility.\" \n\nStill, most men who have borderline fertility potential don’t know it, and overall [sperm counts have been dropping in the Western world over the last 40 years](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sperm-count-dropping-in-western-world/). As sperm counts fall for other reasons, understanding the effects from cannabis may become increasingly more important for those who want to have kids. \n\nThe good news is that a decline in sperm count seems to reverse after a period of marijuana abstinence. So, if you’re worried about your cannabis consumption negatively affecting your sperm count, take a little break from marijuana. \n\n#### Marijuana Is Linked to Hyperactivated Sperm\n\nInterestingly, Burkman also found in her research that the [sperm of cannabis-using men were affected by something called “hyperactivation.”](http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2003/10/6427.html) These sperm acted differently than the sperm of most men who didn’t consume cannabis.\n\nUsually, after ejaculation, the sperm will remain in a resting state, moving with the semen rather than swimming themselves. Then, at a certain point, the sperm kick into gear and start swimming to get to the egg. \n\n[Hyperactivated sperm start swimming early](http://www.sexhealthmatters.org/sex-health-blog/marijuana-and-male-sex-health). They start swimming too quickly and so may tire themselves out before the period when their swimming is most crucial. While we need more research to fully understand the implications of this finding, it helps explain why some may have trouble conceiving while consuming cannabis. \n\n#### Cannabis Can Lower Testosterone—But Not Permanently \n\nAnother worry is that cannabis can cause reduced testosterone in men. Animal studies have shown this can happen in male mice, rats and monkeys. In these studies, [researchers found lowered testosterone rates in animals that were chronically exposed to cannabis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6090909). Researchers also found reduced prostate and seminal vesicle weights as well as altered testicular function.\n\nResearchers have also found [decreases of testosterone in human males using cannabis](https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJM197404182901602). But research in humans has been limited, and [studies sometime conflict or contradict each other](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM197411142912003). While some support the idea that cannabis use lowers testosterone, others find that [testosterone changes we’ve seen in the research aren’t statistically significant](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5609c60b3438380006940000/cannabis-use-has-different-sexual-health-effects-for-men-and-women). \n\nOne ray of hope is that testosterone loss doesn’t seem to be permanent. In animal studies, subjects continually exposed to marijuana seemed to develop a tolerance to the effect of the plant on testosterone levels. Plus, stopping cannabis exposure altogether seemed to restore testosterone to normal levels. \n\n### Fertility Concerns for Cannabis-Consuming Women \n\nWhile the conversation around cannabis-related infertility often seems to focus on men, there are also fertility concerns for women. Here are few of the issues women should consider when evaluating whether they should put cannabis to the side while trying to get pregnant.\n\n#### Cannabis Is Linked to Disrupted Menstrual Cycles \n\nAs with testosterone in men, there are worries that cannabis may mess with a woman's hormonal cycle. In fact, some research shows that [cannabis can increase the likelihood of skipped or delayed ovulation, and even cause problems with embryo implantation](http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/21196184). A study in 1990 showed [slight increases in ovulatory abnormalities for cannabis-consuming women](https://www.jstor.org/stable/25759797?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents). That said, the study couldn’t demonstrate consistency in the effects. In fact, the only group that seemed effected was the group that consumed cannabis with low frequency. \n \nThis makes sense with animal studies, which show that primates can develop a tolerance to the cycle-disrupting effects of cannabis. [While primates given THC regularly experience an initial disruption to their ovulation cycles, after being exposed for some time, [they become THC-tolerant, and their cycles go back to their previous state](http://science.sciencemag.org/content/219/4591/1453).\n\nIn other words, starting a regimen of cannabis use right before you try to get pregnant could lead to some problems. But if you’re a long-term medical marijuana consumer, you’re likely to experience disrupted menstrual cycles. \n\n#### Marijuana Can Create an Inhospitable Environment for Sperm\n\nWomen who use cannabis should also understand the effect it may have on sperm trying to enter their reproductive system. Increased levels of THC may create an environment that hinders sperm from making their journey into the egg. Studies show that sperm exposed to THC are [less able to release a special enzyme that they use to travel through the egg’s cell wall and into the egg](http://www.sexhealthmatters.org/sex-health-blog/marijuana-and-male-sex-health). \n\n#### Can I Consume Cannabis During Pregnancy? \n\nAnother risk factor for women who consume cannabis while trying to get pregnant is what happens if they succeed and continue using cannabis before discovering they’re pregnant. While more research needs to be done, there are some [concerns about cannabis use during pregnancy](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55ff19116662310006a20000/the-cannabis-and-pregnancy-debate). \n\nSome point to a study, which concluded that THC crosses into the placenta and [affects the fetus’s developing brain](http://emboj.embopress.org/content/early/2014/01/27/embj.201386035). Others point to a different study performed in the 1980s in Jamaica; this one suggested [cannabis exposure had no effect on children’s cognitive functioning](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8121737). HelloMD’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Perry Solomon recommends that women who believe they may be pregnant stop cannabis use immediately to avoid any complications. \n\n### Cannabis Consumers Get Pregnant at Normal Rates\n\nWith all of the bad press about cannabis leading to infertility, and the research showing the many fertility factors it can affect, you’d think we could say with confidence that cannabis leads to lower fertility. But the research isn’t that clear. \n\nIn fact, research looking at whether cannabis-consuming couples end up conceiving shows no connection between cannabis use and pregnancy. A recent study looked at \ncouples trying to get pregnant, and found that [cannabis consumers were just as successful in conceiving as their non-cannabis consuming counterparts](https://jech.bmj.com/content/early/2017/12/21/jech-2017-209755). Perhaps cannabis is boosting another fertility factor we don’t know about and making up for the fertility problems described above? \n\nThat’s just one theory. But we need more research to get the full picture on how cannabis interacts with fertility. In the meantime, consulting with a qualified doctor who has experience with cannabis is the best way to learn about how to navigate the questions about cannabis and fertility. Don’t have a cannabis doctor near you? You can [consult with HelloMD’s knowledgeable doctors online](www.hellomd.com) from the comfort of your home.  \n\nPhoto credit: [Christiana Rivers](https://unsplash.com/@christiana)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online. \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3793103448275863,"src":"/static/d3fdc1a9bf582d8af9d01cc4db715c09/14b42/9a9712feab384aa82fa7c97eb8870116.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d3fdc1a9bf582d8af9d01cc4db715c09/f836f/9a9712feab384aa82fa7c97eb8870116.jpg 200w,\n/static/d3fdc1a9bf582d8af9d01cc4db715c09/2244e/9a9712feab384aa82fa7c97eb8870116.jpg 400w,\n/static/d3fdc1a9bf582d8af9d01cc4db715c09/14b42/9a9712feab384aa82fa7c97eb8870116.jpg 800w,\n/static/d3fdc1a9bf582d8af9d01cc4db715c09/47498/9a9712feab384aa82fa7c97eb8870116.jpg 1200w,\n/static/d3fdc1a9bf582d8af9d01cc4db715c09/0e329/9a9712feab384aa82fa7c97eb8870116.jpg 1600w,\n/static/d3fdc1a9bf582d8af9d01cc4db715c09/2c6be/9a9712feab384aa82fa7c97eb8870116.jpg 2382w","srcWebp":"/static/d3fdc1a9bf582d8af9d01cc4db715c09/58556/9a9712feab384aa82fa7c97eb8870116.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d3fdc1a9bf582d8af9d01cc4db715c09/61e93/9a9712feab384aa82fa7c97eb8870116.webp 200w,\n/static/d3fdc1a9bf582d8af9d01cc4db715c09/1f5c5/9a9712feab384aa82fa7c97eb8870116.webp 400w,\n/static/d3fdc1a9bf582d8af9d01cc4db715c09/58556/9a9712feab384aa82fa7c97eb8870116.webp 800w,\n/static/d3fdc1a9bf582d8af9d01cc4db715c09/99238/9a9712feab384aa82fa7c97eb8870116.webp 1200w,\n/static/d3fdc1a9bf582d8af9d01cc4db715c09/7c22d/9a9712feab384aa82fa7c97eb8870116.webp 1600w,\n/static/d3fdc1a9bf582d8af9d01cc4db715c09/fecc0/9a9712feab384aa82fa7c97eb8870116.webp 2382w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2275-markdown","title":"Is Marijuana Dangerous?","slug":"is-marijuana-dangerous","content":"### Is It Safe...\n\nMarijuana is a substance that receives a lot of press, both positive and negative. Sometimes it is hard to sift true scientific fact out of the anti-drug rhetoric that exists. Cannabis is not 100% safe, nor is any other substance in the world. Any and every medication can be abused or misused in ways that make it dangerous. That said, cannabis has not been directly responsible for any deaths in modern times Yet, there are some times when cannabis should be avoided in order to prevent any potential problems.\n\n### During Pregnancy\n\nThere is very limited research related to the use of cannabis during pregnancy. Much of the research that has attempted to see the effects of marijuana being consumed during pregnancy is tainted by the fact that many of the mothers in the studies also smoked tobacco. \n\nIn theory, cannabis can be very helpful with many symptoms associated with pregnancy ranging from morning sickness to anxiety, but not much is known on how marijuana can affect an unborn fetus. It has been [concluded](http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/marijuana/) that THC can cross the placenta and enter the blood stream of the fetus, though the exact effects of THC on the fetus have not yet been determined. \n\nA 2014 study, however, did find that twice as many babies with anencephaly were born to mothers who admitted to smoking marijuana during their pregnancy. Anencephaly is a brain malformation that is caused by a neural tube defect during the development of the fetus, but the condition is still extremely rare leaving no definite statistical link between increased cases and marijuana.  A 2011 study of 25,000 women in Australia found that babies born to mothers who smoked marijuana were also twice as likely to end up in the NICU. Babies born to mothers who smoked cannabis were also 77% more likely to be underweight. \n\nRELATED: [CANNABIS AND PREGNANCY DEBATE](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55ff19116662310006a20000/the-cannabis-and-pregnancy-debate)\nSome studies have also linked later in life problems like lower memory test scores, increased hyperactivity, and different cognitive functioning to children who’s mothers smoked marijuana when they were pregnant. Overall, however, medical practitioners generally agree that marijuana does not cause birth defects, though there is significant room for continued studies on the effects that cannabis has on a developing fetus. \n\n### Underage Consumption\n\nAdolescents are believed to be particularly susceptible to long lasting effects from cannabis consumption. It is hard to isolate marijuana in many studies related to adolescents because many involve a plethora of other potential risk factors that could lead to issues such as poor school performance, higher dropout rates, and greater chance of unemployment that are commonly linked to cannabis consumption. \n\nThe frontal cortex is still developing in adolescents and as a result it is more susceptible to drug usage. A [review of 43 studies](http://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/11/marijuana-brain.aspx) of young adults who reported chronic marijuana use found that there were structural brain abnormalities and altered neural activity associated with chronic marijuana usage. \n\nEarlier onset of marijuana consumption is also associated with a average higher level of consumption later in life. All of the research related to underaged consumption, however, is far from unanimous. Some studies, which have tested the same factors as other studies, have found no problems occurring on the adolescent brain from cannabis usage. Most studies, also, focus on heavy users as opposed to occasional users. \n\n### Increased Risk of Heart Conditions\n\nA [study](http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=117399&page=1) from Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in association with Harvard Medical School, found that there was a five times increased risk of heart attack for the first hour after smoking marijuana. In the second hour, there was just under a two times increase in heart attack risk, which dropped down to a normal heart attack risk two full hours after smoking marijuana. This, however, only provided an average risk increase since younger users tended to have a much lower risk increase. \n\nA [study](http://newsroom.heart.org/news/marijuana-use-may-increase-heart-complications-in-young-middle-aged-adults?preview=771a) published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reported a general increased risk of heart attacks, rhythm disorders, and stroke related to marijuana consumption. There is extremely mixed information on the issue of heart conditions related to marijuana use depending on where the studies have been conducted. \n\n### Gateway Drug: A Completely Debunked Theory\n\nPreviously one of the most prominent dangers associated with cannabis was the possibility for the use of marijuana to lead to the use of harder drugs. A [study from Texas](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/01/06/the-real-gateway-drug-thats-everywhere-and-legal/?utm_term=.896ab5afcd4b) A+M and the University of Florida analyzed years of data from Monitoring the future and found that the vast majority of teens try alcohol before marijuana or any other drug. Most teens used alcohol or tobacco before they used cannabis, 54% tried alcohol first, 32% tried tobacco first, and only 14% used marijuana first. If any substance should be considered a gateway drug, it is alcohol rather than cannabis. \n\nThe gateway theory has been discredited, along with widespread dangers that were once thought to be associated with cannabis. [US Attorney General Loretta Lynch denied](https://www.merryjane.com/news/us-attorney-general-admits-marijuana-not-gateway-drug) the gateway theory and even said that marijuana use in the United States was not a major issue, especially compared to much bigger drug problems in the country like the opioid epidemic. The National Institute of Drug Abuse also clearly stated that “the majority of people who use marijuana do not go on to use ‘harder substances’”. \n\nThough there are a select few times when it may be best to avoid marijuana, like during pregnancy or recreational use during adolescence, cannabis overall is a very safe substance to use, especially when used responsibly and has far fewer side effects than commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals. \n\n_______________________________________________________________________\n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/b674e5aaa4108a5f54135dd44d97f125/ee604/d48b05f69505da60bdd69256a29967ee.png","srcSet":"/static/b674e5aaa4108a5f54135dd44d97f125/69585/d48b05f69505da60bdd69256a29967ee.png 200w,\n/static/b674e5aaa4108a5f54135dd44d97f125/497c6/d48b05f69505da60bdd69256a29967ee.png 400w,\n/static/b674e5aaa4108a5f54135dd44d97f125/ee604/d48b05f69505da60bdd69256a29967ee.png 800w,\n/static/b674e5aaa4108a5f54135dd44d97f125/f3583/d48b05f69505da60bdd69256a29967ee.png 1200w,\n/static/b674e5aaa4108a5f54135dd44d97f125/f90fa/d48b05f69505da60bdd69256a29967ee.png 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/b674e5aaa4108a5f54135dd44d97f125/58556/d48b05f69505da60bdd69256a29967ee.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b674e5aaa4108a5f54135dd44d97f125/61e93/d48b05f69505da60bdd69256a29967ee.webp 200w,\n/static/b674e5aaa4108a5f54135dd44d97f125/1f5c5/d48b05f69505da60bdd69256a29967ee.webp 400w,\n/static/b674e5aaa4108a5f54135dd44d97f125/58556/d48b05f69505da60bdd69256a29967ee.webp 800w,\n/static/b674e5aaa4108a5f54135dd44d97f125/99238/d48b05f69505da60bdd69256a29967ee.webp 1200w,\n/static/b674e5aaa4108a5f54135dd44d97f125/5e0b8/d48b05f69505da60bdd69256a29967ee.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1911-markdown","title":"The Cannabis and Pregnancy Debate","slug":"the-cannabis-and-pregnancy-debate","content":"When it comes to having a baby, moms want to do everything right.\r\nPregnancy causes women to think more about their diets, their daily\r\nexercise levels, their hydration and their sleep patterns, but what\r\nabout moms who used cannabis before they became pregnant? The subject of\r\n[cannabis and\r\npregnancy](https://www.leafly.com/news/health/cannabis-and-pregnancy-the-debates)\r\nis a touchy topic that has given way to an ongoing debate. As it stands\r\nnow, there are two very different schools of thought on the matter.\r\n\r\nCannabis Use During Pregnancy May Affect Fetal Brain Development\r\n----------------------------------------------------------------\r\n\r\nDuring pregnancy, a fetus is highly susceptible to the nutrients or\r\ncompounds that enter a mother's body. There is evidence to suggest that\r\na pregnant woman's diet [affects her baby's future\r\ntastes](http://www.npr.org/2011/08/08/139033757/babys-palate-and-food-memories-shaped-before-birth)\r\nand that environmental toxins [can affect or\r\ndelay](https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_a_e/child_development_and_environmental_toxins_508.pdf)\r\nthe overall development of the fetus. It stands to reason, then, that\r\ncannabis use during pregnancy may also affect fetal development. As it\r\nturns out, individuals who believe this are indeed correct: cannabis use\r\nduring pregnancy does seem to hinder the development of the fetal brain.\r\n\r\nA [recent\r\nstudy](http://emboj.embopress.org/content/early/2014/01/27/embj.201386035)\r\nthat was prominently published in the well-known *EMBO Journal*\r\ndiscovered that active compounds in THC actually change the way nerve\r\ncells in the fetal brain interact with one another. Specifically, the\r\nstudy found that the presence of THC in the fetal brain affected 35\r\ndifferent proteins and inhibited certain neuroreceptors. Although the\r\nlong-term affects of these changes are still unknown, most researchers\r\nbelieve that the presence of THC in the fetal brain may eventually lead\r\nto neuropsychiatric illness and increased brain stress.\r\n\r\nCannabis Use During Pregnancy May Not Affect Fetal Brain Development\r\n--------------------------------------------------------------------\r\n\r\nWith the previous results in mind, it's time to flip the table.\r\nAccording to a [1980s study](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8121737)\r\nconducted on Jamacian newborns, babies that are exposed to THC in utero\r\nshowed no cognitive difference at one day postpartum than babies that\r\nhad not been exposed to THC. In order to make the aforementioned study\r\nas well-rounded and extensive as possible, researchers measured\r\nalertness, motor skills, irritability levels, and orientation in both\r\nsets of babies and found no difference.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the researchers followed up with both sets of babies at\r\none month postpartum and found that the babies who had been exposed to\r\nTHC in utero were actually performing on a higher level in physiological\r\nstability tests than their unexposed counterparts. What's more, the\r\nexposed babies were more alert, displayed lower levels of irritability\r\nand were ranked as being more enjoyable to work with by researchers.\r\n\r\nCannabis and Pregnancy: the Verdict\r\n-----------------------------------\r\n\r\nAs evidenced by these two blatantly contradictory studies, it's clear\r\nthat more research needs to be conducted on the subject of cannabis and\r\npregnancy. Due to the somewhat controversial nature of the topic,\r\nresearchers are often hesitant to undertake studies that address\r\ncannabis use in pregnant women. The fact remains, however, that medical\r\nmarijuana is becoming a popular treatment option for a variety of\r\ndiseases and conditions; and, although it is gaining mainstream\r\nnotoriety right now, it's actually been in use for thousands of years.\r\n\r\nWith any luck, the future will bring plenty of well-researched studies\r\nthat provide solid answers regarding the topic of whether it is safe to\r\nuse cannabis during pregnancy. For now, it's important for mothers to\r\nconsult with their doctors and use their own best judgment.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/126592019@N05/15747976465)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/50b00ca7718df9198041edc3b7d4bef7/14b42/d85eeab8ea8ba53b6d6eaba700610e18.jpg","srcSet":"/static/50b00ca7718df9198041edc3b7d4bef7/f836f/d85eeab8ea8ba53b6d6eaba700610e18.jpg 200w,\n/static/50b00ca7718df9198041edc3b7d4bef7/2244e/d85eeab8ea8ba53b6d6eaba700610e18.jpg 400w,\n/static/50b00ca7718df9198041edc3b7d4bef7/14b42/d85eeab8ea8ba53b6d6eaba700610e18.jpg 800w,\n/static/50b00ca7718df9198041edc3b7d4bef7/47498/d85eeab8ea8ba53b6d6eaba700610e18.jpg 1200w,\n/static/50b00ca7718df9198041edc3b7d4bef7/2d613/d85eeab8ea8ba53b6d6eaba700610e18.jpg 1417w","srcWebp":"/static/50b00ca7718df9198041edc3b7d4bef7/58556/d85eeab8ea8ba53b6d6eaba700610e18.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/50b00ca7718df9198041edc3b7d4bef7/61e93/d85eeab8ea8ba53b6d6eaba700610e18.webp 200w,\n/static/50b00ca7718df9198041edc3b7d4bef7/1f5c5/d85eeab8ea8ba53b6d6eaba700610e18.webp 400w,\n/static/50b00ca7718df9198041edc3b7d4bef7/58556/d85eeab8ea8ba53b6d6eaba700610e18.webp 800w,\n/static/50b00ca7718df9198041edc3b7d4bef7/99238/d85eeab8ea8ba53b6d6eaba700610e18.webp 1200w,\n/static/50b00ca7718df9198041edc3b7d4bef7/cbfa0/d85eeab8ea8ba53b6d6eaba700610e18.webp 1417w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5656,"name":"Pregnancy","slug":"pregnancy","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}