Using Weed While Pregnant: Study Of 500k People Reveals Surprising Findings—Some Better Than Others

By Lucía Tedesco via El Planteo

A recent study conducted by the Hebrew University in collaboration with the Hadassah Medical Center examined the potential long-term risks of prenatal cannabis use on children’s neurological development. The research involved over 500,000 participants and analyzed the consequences of THC exposure.

According to the researchers, THC, a molecule found in cannabis, can cross the placenta and potentially influence the developing fetal brain. However, they found no connection between marijuana use during pregnancy and autism, schizophrenia or depression.

What Effects Did Marijuana Use During Pregnancy Have?

The study revealed a slight increase in the risk of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a higher likelihood that children exposed to cannabis in the womb would use cannabis themselves later in life.

Professor Ilan Matok, from the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at Hebrew University, cautioned that these findings should be interpreted with care. In his words, “This calls for cautious interpretation, as it does not confirm the safety of cannabis consumption during pregnancy.”

While no significant risks were observed for a broad range of neuropsychiatric disorders, the slight increase in ADHD cases and the greater likelihood of cannabis use in exposed children suggest that prenatal cannabis use is not without consequences.

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Previous research has documented that many women use cannabis during pregnancy not for recreational purposes, but as a solution to manage medical conditions such as pain, anxiety or insomnia. However, the majority of these studies have focused on recreational use, due to the challenges of prescribing medicinal cannabis to this population.

However, most of the available data comes from studies conducted between the 1980s and 2000s when cannabis had much lower THC concentrations than the more potent strains available today. Professor Matok warned that the conclusions of the current study might underestimate the impact of modern cannabis use on children’s long-term development.

“While our study provides important insights, it is crucial to recognize that these results are not definitive. Pregnant women should be aware of the potential risks, and healthcare providers should continue to advise caution when it comes to cannabis use during pregnancy,” Matok explained.

Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash

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