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There is no doubt about it, CBD has caused quite a hype lately. And unlink other hypes from the past, it’s actually backed by scientific research, so it’s less likely to fade away too soon.
Whether you have a cannabis drink when you socialize or to relax, it’s been proven to help against stress, anxiety, insomnia, pain and other similar conditions. Even many adults use CBD drinks or oils as a more “natural” way to unwind at the end of the day, or to cope with ongoing health concerns.
But like everything else, it’s not perfect. There are also some contraindications, not necessarily because it’s bad, but because it’s too new and not fully researched.
With this thought in mind, can you have CBD while you are pregnant? Here’s what you have to know.
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What to Know About CBD During a Pregnancy
So, can you drink CBD when pregnant? While CBD has dominated the health industry for quite a few years, effects on babies are unknown yet due to lack of research.
There are plenty of ongoing studies at the moment. But none of them is conclusive enough to determine the effects of CBD on babies. Because of this uncertainty, official guidelines tend to take a very cautious approach and tell people to avoid CBD completely during pregnancy.
Like many healthy supplements with natural ingredients, CBD can also become a problem for unborn babies. For example, it’s unknown whether it can be transmitted to a fetus. If it is, its effects are also unknown.
While short term results show no risks whatsoever, no one can tell how the baby (or the child) might be affected later on, hence the necessity of more research.
Potential Issues During a Pregnancy
The effects of a cannabis drink for a mother are quite positive, but what happens to the baby is unknown.
For example, the scientific world is unsure whether or not the CBD can affect fetal development. It hasn’t been linked to any syndromes or affections, but it’s too early to tell.
Some early research on cannabinoids in general suggests potential links with growth restriction and changes in placental function, but results are not yet strong or consistent enough to give precise risk numbers.
No one knows anything about the effects on cognitive function either, not to mention the long-term health.
From a different perspective, when having a cannabis drink, it’s imperative to look over the ingredients as well. Apart from the healthy CBD, some drinks may also have traces of THC, which can be harmful for babies. Pesticides, heavy metals or other unhealthy ingredients can also be among the ingredients.
Basically, whether for yourself or your unborn baby, it’s imperative to choose drinks with natural ingredients.
Other than that, cannabinoids might be able to cross the placenta. This means they could affect the baby by affecting specific placental functions, exposing the fetus to all sorts of risks in the long run.
Again, while not fully conclusive, some studies suggest that cannabinoids (and CBD is one of them) could affect the development of your baby’s immune system. It may also cause cognitive issues in babies, yet further research is required.
Do Women Have CBD While Pregnant?
About 20% of all pregnant women take CBD in one form or another. The CBD drink is one of the most popular options because it helps socialize and it comes with pre-measured doses. Yet some people also make their own drinks.
During a pregnancy, a cannabis drink can help with mental health, as well as the anxiety and stress associated with it.
Furthermore, symptoms like vomiting or nausea can also be kept under control with CBD, not to mention appetite issues and even seizures associated with other affections.
In other words, having a CBD drink every now and then is one of the most effective ways to keep pregnancy symptoms under control, despite the risks not being fully evaluated.
So, Is CBD Safe?
At the moment, it’s uncertain whether or not CBD is safe for pregnancy. The CBD has become one of the most effective supplements in the world over the past few years, meaning it’s still too early to determine how safe it could be for babies.
In theory, CBD should be safe for children as well, yet it’s not recommended. Most of these contraindications are caused by the lack of research, rather than known facts.
Most experts recommend staying away from CBD during pregnancy. For instance, the FDA, CDC and the UK’s Food Standards Agency advise against it.
Not only is it not recommended during pregnancy, but it’s also uncertain if it can be transmitted through milk. So breastfeeding mothers are also advised to avoid it.
Sure, a cannabis drink could be excellent against some of the issues associated with pregnancy. But most specialists recommend seeking professional advice if you’re not sure how to overcome them. There are other safe alternatives backed by scientific evidence.
Alternatives like a different diet, exercise, behavioral therapy and even certain medications can help against these problems.
In conclusion, can you have CBD if you’re pregnant? While more and more women turn to a cannabis drink to overcome pregnancy problems, the truth is scientific research is limited. It could be good, but it could also pose some risks to babies. So it’s wiser to avoid it until there’s more conclusive research. Major health agencies currently say “no” to CBD in pregnancy or breastfeeding. They instead recommend sticking with safer, evidence‑based ways to manage symptoms.