Can CBD be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

At this time, it is still unclear whether CBD would have a negative impact on the newborn. One thing is for sure; the effects can be very positive for the mother because therapeutic cannabis helps relieve pain and reduce nausea.

On the face of it, CBD is a natural substance that does not cause any danger to adult health. Most importantly, CBD does not cause any psychoactive effects. Nevertheless, the democratization of CBD is still recent, and doctors lack hindsight on the potential risks to the fetus.

In any case, pregnancy and breastfeeding are tricky times when it is best to talk to a health care professional before making a decision. If you are a pregnant woman with nausea, severe pain, stress and anxiety, find out how CBD can help you and what recommendations to consider during this magical and difficult time.

The effects of CBD on pregnancy

Certainly, pregnancy is a unique and very important step in a woman's life. But it is also a period of suffering that sometimes lasts for nine months. Between nausea, vomiting and pain, it is sometimes difficult to live normally and serenely.

In addition, many medicines are banned for pregnant women, limiting the possibility of finding an adequate solution to relieve their pain.

This is why more and more pregnant women are turning to natural methods such as CBD to limit the pain and restrictive symptoms of pregnancy. A natural product of the cannabis plant, CBD has anesthetic and anxiolytic virtues. In other words, it helps to combat stress and anxiety; it relieves pain, headaches, nausea and aches.

In addition to being effective for the mother, CBD would be equally beneficial for fetal growth. According to a series of studies conducted in 2004, CBD has a stimulating effect on the CB1 endocannabinoid receptor; neurotransmitter is essential for the proper development of the fetus and newborn's nervous system.

Other studies suggest that CBD would have no impact on embryo development. In any case, there is no scientific research to speak of a negative effect on the child. Unlike THC, CBD is not one of the elements to be outlawed during pregnancy, and there are no specific contraindications related to gestation. Today, CBD would be one of the only effective solutions for the mother who poses no threat to the child.

The effects of CBD on breastfeeding

First of all, it is important to remember that research on the human endocannabinoid system and the link between CBD and endocannabinoids are still ongoing. Therefore, it is recommended to exercise caution and seek advice from your doctor before consuming CBD during the breastfeeding period.

That being said, a scientific study was conducted on 50 breastfeeding women to measure the levels of CBD and THC in breast milk. The results speak for themselves: THC is detectable in 63% of the samples, while CBD has not been detected in any sample. Although CBD is undetectable in breast milk, scientists focus on stimulating endocannabinoid 2-AG, which plays a fundamental role in newborns.

By stimulating this neurotransmitter, CBD stimulates appetite and activates the muscles of the tongue, which is an essential phenomenon during lactation. For the mother, there are several reasons why she may be taking CBD while breastfeeding. And one of the main reasons may be postpartum depression (PPD).

This disorder results in fatigue, anxiety, a change in mood and a feeling of detachment. The problem is that this disorder is usually treated by taking antidepressants which is absolutely incompatible with breastfeeding.

So, could a mother with PPD turn to CBD to continue breastfeeding without endangering her baby? The researchers are unanimous, CBD has therapeutic qualities and helps reduce anxiety without altering the body.

What form of CBD to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

A quality CBD-based product is a THC-free product that poses no risk to either the mother or the child. For example, you can choose CBD oil to be consumed in sublingual, CBD-based cosmetics (cream, gel, shampoo, etc.) to be applied locally or CBD-based beverages and foods to ingest.

If you have the time, you can create your preparations by infusing CBD flowers into a herbal tea or incorporating it in small doses into your dishes. Whatever happens, it's important to choose a form of CBD that provides you with relaxing effects and is not a constraint for you or the child.

Lack of scientific studies to identify risks of CBD during motherhood

At the international level, medical research and scientific studies give us two bell sounds: either the effects of CBD are positive (fetal development, optimization of breastfeeding), or there is no effect on the child. In both cases, there are never any side effects or risks mentioned.

Although research is still ongoing, and it is still unclear whether CBD can be consumed during breastfeeding and pregnancy, the researchers are rather optimistic. So, to answer the question: can we take CBD during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

The answer is yes, some women are already doing it, and there is no problem. There are no prohibitions or contraindications to using CBD during pregnancy and motherhood.

Although you are free to purchase CBD, you should always seek professional advice in the context of pregnancy and, most importantly, keep in mind that some doctors will advise you not to consume it simply as a precautionary measure.

Is CBD safe for children?

Nausea and fatigue are the only known side effects of CBD today. Nothing harmful or very serious compared to all the benefits it can bring, even to children.

In which case can children consume CBD?

Some children consume CBD for medical purposes, especially for epileptic diseases. Thanks to CBD, many children have seen the frequency of their epileptic seizures drastically reduced, where drug treatments did not work.