It's hard to turn on the TV or hop on social media without hearing mention of CBD. It's on everyone's minds lately. CBD—cannabidiol—is a chemical derived from cannabis. CBD is non-psychoactive and contains no tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. So, it doesn't produce the high associated with marijuana. Since this therapeutic agent is legal in some states, it's enticing to those who want relief minus mind-altering effects.
Countless products containing CBD have popped up, touted as natural remedies for ailments ranging from joint pain and seizures to anxiety and insomnia. CBD is thought to alleviate conditions like inflammation, migraines, nausea and sleep disorders. And women are getting in on it, too, using it for issues like hormone regulation, beauty benefits, menopause and premenstrual syndrome symptom alleviation, and sex life enhancer.
CBD is sold in various strengths and forms including oils, capsules, edibles and topicals at health food stores, smoke shops and pharmacies (if it's legal in your state). You might dab CBD lotion on problematic areas or drizzle CBD oil into your coffee. Or maybe you munch on CBD edibles like chocolates or gummies.
But is CBD safe during pregnancy?
Some pregnant women have been curious about using CBD oils, lotions, creams or other topical products to alleviate pregnancy-related issues like moodiness, anxiety and muscle pain. These women theorize that applying CBD on top of your skin—instead of digesting it—means that it won't end up in their bloodstream. In fact, in California, the number of pregnant women using cannabis almost doubled between 2009 and 2016, according to a study out of Kaiser Permanente Northern California, the only U.S. healthcare system that screens all pregnant women for prenatal marijuana use.
Still, little research is out there on CBD use during pregnancy. No conclusive evidence shows that taking CBD during pregnancy is or isn't safe. So, it's wise not to use CBD to soothe your ailments. It's not proven how it impacts your body and developing fetus. No long-term research exists as to what happens years down the road after taking CBD during pregnancy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women who are pregnant or thinking about conceiving shouldn't use marijuana or any of its by-products, including medical marijuana. THC, CBD's cousin, may interfere with baby's brain development and function and may be linked to stillbirth, lower birthweight and other unwanted outcomes. Even the lowest-dose products aren't considered safe during pregnancy.
Yes, CBD isn't THC. It's much safer and has minor side effects like tiredness and diarrhea. Still, exactly how it works is unknown. It may even impact your hormones, which is something you don't want to interfere with during pregnancy. Plus, CBD is a new and largely unregulated market. Products, even ones marketed as pure CBD, may be contaminated with pesticides, toxic metals and bacteria that you don't want near your fetus.
Talk with your health care provider about any questions you have regarding CBD use during pregnancy.
