CBD for Pregnancy
The growing popularity of cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is spurring the debate regarding its supposed numerous health benefits. So far, studies have proven that CBD can help treat anxiety and stress-related issues, such as PTSD, panic attacks, or sleeping disorders. It’s also beneficial for people suffering from muscle pain or inflammation.
With all these therapeutic effects of cannabidiol, it shouldn’t be surprising that many women consider CBD during pregnancy. What’s more, considering that CBD can help with common unpleasant side effects of pregnancy, such as nausea or back pain, CBD seems like a great substance to use during pregnancy. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough research to prove this.
CBD can provide some therapeutic effects to pregnant women. On the other hand, it does come with numerous concerns one should know about before even considering using CBD while pregnant. And to help you get the overall idea regarding CBD for pregnancy, we’ve prepared the following guide.
Brief Introduction to CBD
From the basics, cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the hundreds of cannabinoids, chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. CBD is one of the two most popular and well-researched cannabinoids, with the other one being tetrahydrocannabinol – the famous THC.
However, unlike THC, CBD doesn’t cause any psychoactive effects. In other words, it provides similar effects without getting a person high. This is one of the reasons why many prefer CBD to THC, as they can enjoy the many benefits of cannabis without intoxication.
Benefits of CBD
Although more research is needed, numerous studies have already proven CBD’s many therapeutic effects on the human body and mind. For now, the most profound scientific evidence applies to CBD’s effectiveness when treating severe seizure disorders in children, such as Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) or Dravet Syndrome.
As for the other studies, they claim that CBD provides many more benefits, with the most significant ones being:
- Pain Relief: CBD is known for its supposed pain relief properties. According to various studies, CBD can help control pain and decrease inflammation. However, more research is needed to clarify how exactly CBD can benefit here.
- Decreased Levels of Stress and Anxiety: Many researchers have studied CBD’s potential therapeutic effects on the central nervous system. After numerous studies, they have stated that CBD can indeed provide support and decrease anxiety – both its psychological and physiological effects.
- Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: Several studies link CBD with benefits for the cardiovascular system. For instance, CBD is believed to support decreasing high blood pressure, which in effect lowers the risk of such conditions as strokes or heart attacks.
- Better Sleep: Some studies claim that CBD can improve sleep quality and provide support when dealing with sleeping disorders, such as insomnia. More research is needed, though.
- Support in Addiction: Several researchers report that CBD shows great promise in supporting substance abuse treatment, mainly cocaine, opioid, and nicotine.
Mind that all the benefits mentioned above are still under research. However, considering the number of studies and their results, it’s safe to say that CBD shows a lot of promise when it comes to the therapeutic effects it can have on the human body and mind. For now, researchers aren’t a hundred percent unanimous on how CBD can benefit us and whether it’s entirely safe.
How to Ingest CBD
In general, there are numerous ways to ingest CBD. What’s more, with the growing number of CBD products, it’s much more straightforward to try different products and decide which one suits you best. As for the most popular ways to consume CBD, these include:
- CBD Oil: Tinctures come in dropper bottles, allowing users to easily adjust the dosage through the wanted number of drops. Using CBD oil involves putting it directly under your tongue, holding it there for a few minutes, and then swallowing.
- Edibles: CBD edibles have grown in popularity recently. That’s mostly because they provide a tasteful and discreet way to consume CBD, as they come in the form of gummies, candies, mints, and other popular foods.
- Topicals: Topicals can be applied directly to the skin. They come in handy, especially when dealing with localized pain, skin inflammation, and other skin conditions like eczema. CBD topicals can come in various forms, including balms, ointments, or creams.
- Smokables: Like with THC, the easiest and quickest way to get CBD into the human system is smoking it. Options here are diverse, as there are numerous smokable CBD products, such as hemp sticks, raw flower buds, or pre-rolls.
- CBD Concentrates: For people who want to experiment in their kitchen and try to make their own edibles, CBD concentrates provide the best opportunity. They are potent and pure CBD that can be used to infuse food.
As for which option is the best for you, it all depends on your preferences. The best idea is to consult your doctor and then try different types of CBD to find the one that you enjoy the most. And when it comes to pregnant women, the first question one should ask is whether using CBD is a good idea during pregnancy. This brings us to the next point and a whole idea behind this article.
Is It Safe to Use CBD During Pregnancy?
On paper, CBD and pregnancy seem like an ideal match. CBD is a hundred percent natural and provides numerous benefits for the usual pregnancy symptoms, including nausea, morning sickness, back pain, trouble sleeping, and anxiety. With all that being said, it’s not surprising that many expectant mothers decide to use CBD while they’re with a child.
In general, experts strongly advise against cannabis use during pregnancy. For example, the FDA strongly advises not to use CBD while pregnant or breastfeeding as it may carry serious risks related to poor brain development or premature birth. However, researchers mostly rely on animal studies in which they exposed pregnant test animals to high doses of CBD and observed issues with the reproductive system of male fetuses.
What’s more, most of the studies regarding the matter have been performed with THC in mind, which, unlike CBD, is intoxicating. Scientists are still not confident about how CBD use can affect the pregnant mother and her developing fetus.
What concerns researchers most at the moment is the risk of CBD products being contaminated with substances that might be harmful to a developing fetus or nursing baby, THC, for instance. Here researchers are unanimous when it comes to its adverse effects, both during pregnancy and breastfeeding (research has shown that THC can pass to an infant through breast milk).
As for using CBD by pregnant women, more research is needed. The general rule here is to always consult your doctor before deciding on consuming CBD during pregnancy. It’s also vital to use reliable, uncontaminated, and entirely safe products. Here’s where Mojave’s range of CBD products can help. All our products are manufactured with care and follow the highest standards so that we can provide our customers with top-quality CBD products ideally suited for their individual needs.
The Bottom Line
CBD is said to provide short-term help to pregnant women, relieving nausea, pain, morning sickness, or stress. However, its long-term effects are still under research. At the moment, most experts are extremely divided, as there’s no certainty regarding CBD’s impact on such matters as foetus development or mother’s milk production.
Current opinions are mostly based on similar studies performed on THC. The problem is, these are not the exact same compounds. This is why more research is required before scientists reach the final verdict on whether using CBD during pregnancy can be beneficial or not.
If you feel tempted to try CBD when pregnant, please use only reliable and natural products. And most importantly, consult your doctor before making any decision. While using CBD offers a plethora of benefits, it can be harmful if you don’t take the necessary precautions. That is especially true during pregnancy, as you’re no longer responsible for yourself but your future child as well.
If you’re interested in learning more about our products, please check out MojaveRX products and how they can affect your day-to-day life!
CBD for Pregnancy FAQs
Can I Take CBD While Pregnant?
Although taking CBD while pregnant is not commonly advised, many pregnant women are seeking-out CBD-infused products to support pregnancy-related symptoms. These include cramping, anxiety, high stress, sleeping problems, and nausea.
Pregnant patients have observed that CBD triggers extreme sleepiness, which helps with insomnia during pregnancy, while others have found that CBD is helpful for suppressing nausea.
Still, more research is needed to determine the effects of CBD on expectant moms.
How Much CBD Oil Should I Take While Pregnant?
The suitable dosage of CBD varies from person to person. It depends on many factors, including bodily properties, overall health, and potential conditions they may have.
The best way to determine your CBD dosage is to start slow and gradually increase your doses until you achieve desired effects.
If you’re pregnant and concerned about the effects of taking CBD, it’s best to seek professional medical advice to make sure using CBD is safe for you and your child.
Disclaimer
The statements expressed on this website are purely opinion of the author and not factual. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products referenced on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It’s highly suggested to consult with your medical professional prior to any use of the products referenced on this website. This website and author specifically disclaim any liability in connection with the products contained on the website.