Unexplainable Expecting: Weed and pregnancy
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May 24, 2023 Cannabis and pregnancy raise a tangle of unanswered scientific questions: how much THC reaches a fetus, and what might it mean for a developing brain? Researchers face obstacles studying medications during pregnancy, while parents can face drug testing, child welfare investigations, or criminal penalties. The conversation explores the uneasy collision of uncertain evidence and harsh policies.
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Common Cannabis Use in Pregnancy
- Cannabis use during pregnancy is surprisingly common, especially in states with legal recreational use.
- Studies show up to 30% of young urban women use cannabis during pregnancy, exceeding estimates from legal states.
THC and the Placenta
- Substances consumed by a pregnant person can reach the fetus through the placenta, although a filtering process occurs.
- While THC and its metabolites can cross the placenta, it's unclear how much reaches the fetus and what effect it has.
THC Receptors and Fetal Development
- While THC receptors exist in the placenta and fetal brain, their function remains unknown.
- Existing research focuses on measurable factors like birth weight and head circumference, but these don't reveal long-term impacts.