Here’s why women use cannabis while pregnant

Women increasingly use cannabis during their pregnancy. This change, likely triggered by changing perceptions of the drug, has worried many experts as the side effects of cannabis have not yet been adequately studied, especially in pregnant people.

According to a new study, pregnant women use cannabis to treat a variety of symptoms, most notably morning sickness.

The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, interviewed 52 pregnant people who had experience with cannabis prior to pregnancy. (The term “cannabis” in this study refers to a wide variety of cannabis products, from smoking flowers to consuming cannabis edibles.)

Photo by Camylla Battani via Unsplash

Thirty study participants continued to use cannabis during their pregnancy and used it to treat a variety of side effects. But what they brought up the most was morning sickness and called cannabis the most effective way to relieve it.

Researchers say most of those surveyed were knowledgeable about cannabis and weren’t just using it for fun. These people considered their options and concluded that cannabis is the most natural and least invasive way of treating their symptoms. However, the majority of researchers disagree with these statements.

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Experts advise against the consumption of cannabis during pregnancy and breastfeeding, mainly because the drug has not been researched enough and many questions remain unanswered. Although no direct links have been discovered, some studies have found links between cannabis and a variety of harmful side effects in children, including low birth weight and the development of learning and attention problems in later years.

roll a cannabis jointPhoto by Kampus Production from Pexels

More research is needed to provide an answer to pregnant women. While cannabis may not be the scary drug it has been portrayed by many in the past few years, it is still a drug with unknown side effects that could affect young children. It is important to have an open conversation with doctors who suggest alternative methods of managing the side effects of pregnancy.

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When it comes to naturopaths, they should be aware that cannabis is growing in popularity. You should ask your patients directly whether or not they are using it and offer an unbiased alternative that can help them manage their pregnancy symptoms.

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