Is It Safe To Use CBD Products When Pregnant?
CBD products have been gaining traction as a treatment for a wide range of issues, like stress, pain, nausea, and insomnia. Unsurprisingly, many expectant mothers are wondering if CBD is appropriate to take during pregnancy. After all, a bun in the over can bring unpleasant side effects like the issues mentioned above. Keep reading for more information on whether or not it is safe to use CBD products when pregnant.
What is CBD?
CBD (scientifically known as cannabidiol) is a chemical naturally found in hemp and marijuana. CBD is different from THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is responsible for the “high” that comes with marijuana use. Instead, CBD is non-psychoactive and is generally considered safe.
The Normal Risks
There are normal risks associated with the use of CBD, even if you’re not pregnant. Clinical studies have shown that the hazards in humans include extreme sleepiness/fatigue and liver damage. There could also be dangerous interactions with prescription or over-the-counter drugs a person is taking. Keep in mind that CBD is not approved by the FDA for any uses yet; there are still many more studies that need to be done before CBD is declared safe for general use. Also needed is more research into how CBD can affect pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Legality
CBD is legal in all fifty states of the US, but it is not permitted at the federal level. In fact, it is still listed alongside THC as a Schedule I drug. However, there is very little, if any, enforcement of this law at a federal level. CBD products can be purchased in stores or online all over the country.
Animal Studies
There are not many current studies done on how CBD affects pregnancy in humans. Some studies have shown that in test animals, CBD created problems with developing male fetuses. In many instances, their reproductive organs were not developed properly. Further animal studies are to be done to get a clearer picture of how CBD may affect a pregnancy.
Concerns for Use When Pregnant
It has been advised that women avoid drugs, alcohol, smoking, and caffeine during pregnancy since what goes into the mother’s body also goes into the fetus. Additionally, while no studies have been done to see how much CBD enters breast milk if the mother is using it, it is pretty likely that at least a small amount will be transferred.
There’s also another concern for using CBD while pregnant. Many sources of CBD allow a certain tiny percentage of THC to remain in the legal amount, and that small amount could be damaging to the unborn child. Aside from unwanted THC in the CBD, there have also been instances of pesticides and bacteria present in CBD oil.
CBD may be a natural and effective treatment for a variety of problems, it’s best avoided during pregnancy, at least until further studies are able to show that it is safe.
Questions About CBD?
Need more information on the safety and efficacy of CBD? Contact any of our locations or fill out our contact form to speak to one of our CBD experts. We’d be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
