CBD OIL AND PREGNANCY

CBD OIL AND PREGNANCY

For many women, pregnancy can be a difficult time. Not only does it lead to dramatic changes in the body, but it can also throw hormones out of whack, changing the way a person feels. Many pregnant women want to know whether any products or supplements can help them manage this difficult time so that they can do their best for their family and baby.

Pregnant mothers have, on occasion, turned to cannabis as a way to relieve specific symptoms associated with pregnancy. But cannabis is believed to not be healthful for the baby by some researchers and can lead to premature birth, underweight babies, and defects. Most experts recommend strongly against mothers using any form of cannabis while pregnant because it could cause harm.

The medical profession has been traditionally conservative throughout its history, and so because cannabis has been shown to have adverse effects on babies, there is something of a blanket ban on all cannabis products for pregnant women, almost by default. But it should be pointed out that not all products are the same, or can even be expected to have negative effects on unborn children.

CBD oil, for instance, is likely different from whole-plant cannabis products, or products that contain psychoactive components. Unlike regular cannabis, CBD oil does not contain THC, the part of the cannabis plant believed to be most psychotropic. CBD oil has been shown to be safe among adults in the wider population, and so there is every reason to think that it could also be safe for pregnant mothers. CBD is essentially a plant extract – one member of the family of more than 400 chemicals found in the cannabis genus. CBD should interact with the body in positive ways, just as many other phytonutrients do from elsewhere in the plant kingdom.

IS CBD SAFE DURING PREGNANCY

Although CBD oils have been shown to be safe in many adult studies, the science of CBD oil is still young. There are no studies, as yet, on the safety of CBD oil in pregnant women. One of the main worries about CBD oil for pregnant women is that it will interfere with the developing child’s brain. The recently discovered endocannabinoid system, responsible for maintaining the homeostasis of the body’s nervous system, could be disrupted by cannabis derivatives in unborn babies, and cause developmental problems before they are born.

Pregnant women are currently advised to avoid a range of potentially hazardous foods. These include raw animal products, like sushi and rare meat, unpasteurized milk because of the listeria risk, and caffeine because of the relationship with miscarriages. CBD oil is a plant-derived oil. In theory, it should be as safe as other plant-derived oils, like olive oil, but exhaustive scientific research is yet to confirm this.

It’s worth pointing out that many substances in a regular diet could impact your baby’s health. If you are considering using CBD during pregnancy, then consult with your doctor about the best approach.

WHY USE CBD DURING PREGNANCY

Although the safety of CBD oil is yet to be established by compelling science, many women choose to use it anyway to help them manage specific problems related to pregnancy.

CBD Oil is believed to have therapeutic or beneficial effects on the following conditions:

Premature Contractions

Premature contractions can occur for all kinds of reasons and are usually the result of the body’s attempt to relieve itself of the baby. One of the potential reasons why the body might choose to do this is dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system – the part of the body that regulate the nervous system. Using CBD oil may be able to help the system return to homeostasis, preventing or delaying premature birth by reducing premature contractions.

Relief From Chronic Pain

Symptoms of chronic pain can increase during pregnancy. There is evidence that CBD can reduce the severity of pain.

Back Ache

The increased weight and pressure caused by the growing baby can cause women to experience backaches, especially towards the end of their pregnancy. CBD oil may be able to mitigate this pain and help mothers get to sleep more easily at night.

Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is a hallmark of pregnancy, characterized by a drowsy, tired, and nauseous feeling. CBD oils may relieve some of these symptoms.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression – or depression in the days and weeks following birth – can be traumatic for many women. CBD is believed to help mitigate the severity of this kind of depression by activating serotonin signaling in the brain, keeping the body in a “happy” state.

CBD AND BREASTFEEDING

For many women, breastfeeding can be a challenge. It’s difficult to keep up with the demands of their growing baby. Breastfeeding can also be painful too if the child has teeth or doesn’t always suckle gently. Taking whole cannabis – either smoking or eating – is a bad idea if you want to control symptoms. Harmful chemicals from the cannabis plant can get into the milk and then be transferred to the growing baby. For the reasons discussed above, CBD oil is likely much safer because it’s low in the psychoactive THC because it comes from hemp, a subspecies in the cannabis genus naturally low in THC.

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE FOR THE EFFACY OF CBD OIL IN PREGNANCY

When giving their children any substance, parents want to know that it’s both safe and effective. Although the science of CBD oil is young, there are already many studies which point to its benefits.

Managing Pain

Scientists have been interested in the ability of the cannabis class of plants, including, to help manage pain. They’ve discovered that hemp can reduce pain in children associated with a range of conditions, including joint pain, muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis patients, and pain caused by cancer.

Reducing Anxiety And Depression

Because the science of CBD oil is relatively recent, there have been no trials to date on CBD and clinical depression/anxiety in humans. However, researchers have investigated whether CBD oil is useful in the treatment of these conditions in animals. They’ve found that when animals are given CBD, it has a similar effect to anti-depressants, helping to lift mood.

CBD oil may also reduce the anxiety produced when children have to perform in front of a group of people. It’s not unusual for children to get stage fright, but studies show that CBD can reduce feelings of fear among people before they have to perform in front of a crowd.

Anti-Tumor Effects

Can CBD oil really help to inhibit tumors? This claim is based on research from two major national cancer organizations, the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute. Both suggest that CBD oil, like many other plant-derived compounds, could have therapeutic effects, and may slow the progression of cancer, giving patients more time to deal with the underlying disease.

Reduction Of Seizures

Epilepsy is a condition that many parents find difficult to manage. Two particular types of epilepsy, Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, both appear to be modulated by CBD oil. The effect seems to be so strong that the FDA now approves a cannabis-derived from for these two conditions.

HOW MUCH CBD OIL SHOULD PREGNANT WOMEN TAKE?

CBD is not a miracle cure, but it can help to manage symptoms where regular medication fails. Many pregnant women don’t know how much CBD oil to take. The amount that you use depends on the severity of your symptoms, your genetics, and your specific problem. The following are general guidelines. Remember, it’s always best to start off using low dosages to ascertain tolerability.

• For sleeplessness: 40 to 160 mg per day.
• For back pain: 2.5 to 20 mg per day
• For depression: 5 to 50 mg per day
• For migraines and headaches: 10 to 50 mg per day

Take CBD oil orally. Most pregnant women will take half of their daily quote of CBD in the morning, and the other half before they go to sleep.

CONCLUSION

Using CBD oil during pregnancy is a controversial topic. The jury is still out on whether it should be used at any stage in pregnancy and whether it is safe for women and their babies. The science so far would seem to suggest that it is safe, just like many of the thousands of other plant-derived chemicals found in our daily diets, but proof is still required. The science on whether it is safe could take a while to produce, given the time that it takes to find the financing for a study and to publish it. One day, we will know for sure whether CBD oil is safe, but for the time being, it’s best for everyone to exercise caution.