Effects of Marijuana Use During Pregnancy November 9
Over the past few months, marijuana has found itself in the middle of the spotlight, with debates ringing far and wide calling for its legalization or otherwise. While this is going on, however, the illicit use of marijuana continues to thrive, and with it are side effects that could certainly have been avoided.
Marijuana debates have undoubtedly included arguments that relate to the substance’s “deadly” factor. We have posted features before that presented a comparison between how deadly marijuana use is to the community as opposed to excessive alcohol consumption, and we definitely see where advocates are coming from.
Still, as in anything, not all substances are for everybody. The recreational use of marijuana may have adverse effects on a certain rather delicate group of people — pregnant women.
The effect that marijuana use may have on pregnancy is discussed in a feature on drugfreehomes.org. While the mother herself may not find any noticeable differences to her physical state while using marijuana, or other drugs, studies would show that it is the one we do not see – the unborn child – that takes the brunt of adverse effects. The child, after all, is more sensitive than his or her mother, and it is the child who will suffer highly from the effects of marijuana use.
The active ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, reportedly hinders neuron development. This can lead to the development of problems pertaining to basic cognitive skills such as memory retention in the child. Basically, marijuana use during pregnancy may have effects to the unborn child’s mental development, which will manifest themselves during the child’s formative years.
Tags: drug abuse while pregnant, drug effects on baby, drug effects on pregnant women, marijuana effects on baby, marijuana use during pregnancy
Todd Nov 9
Yes you’re right, but real advocates for Marijuana Legalization advocate for “Responsible” use of marijuana for adults. Smoking anything when you are pregnant is not responsible.
Jacklyn Nov 10
Really interesting post. I’ll visit more often.
Eric Knudsen Nov 11
What a load of irresponsibly posted garbage.
The last paragraph of this speaks volumes of the propaganda used in generating fear regarding the toleration of cannabis and its use.
Rumor/Propaganda:
The active ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, REPORTEDLY HINDERS NEURON DEVELOPMENT. This can lead to the development of problems pertaining to basic cognitive skills such as memory retention in the child. Basically, marijuana use during pregnancy may have effects to the unborn child’s mental development, which will manifest themselves during the child’s formative years.
EVERYTHING YOU HAVE JUST READ IS HYPOTHETICAL AND NOT FACTUAL! Shame on Home testing blog for perpetuating rumor as if it were fact.
GRANTED smoking while pregnant is possibly not wise, but smoking is NOT the exclusive means of cannabis intake. However the PROOF that cannabis damages a fetus’s (or an adult’s) neurons(brain cells) is NON-existent.
IN FACT Scientific studies show that THC has Anti tumeral properties and has a unique ability to protect Neurons in stroke victims.
Scientists are using it to treat everything from chemotherapy-induced nausea to different cancers.
In August, The British Journal of Cancer published the results of a study that found THC (the main active component in marijuana) is effective in fighting prostate cancer. Reportedly, pot attacks prostate cancer cell types that do not respond to the usual hormone treatments.
A recent study by a team of Spanish researchers discovered THC kills various brain cancer cells by a process known as autophagy. How many times have you heard someone say, “Pot destroys your brain cells”? If that’s true, what about this study? Why do doctors use marijuana to fight brain cancer if it destroys brain cells?
The last refuge of these scoundrels is under the guise of “protecting the children”(wink wink).
Joel F. Nov 12
A study done in 2005 by Dr. Xia Zhang MD PhD of the University of Saskatchewan conducted an experiment on brain function and cannabinoids. When administered, it was reported that cannabinoids have an effect which stimulates neurogenesis (brain cell growth) in the embryonic and adult hippocampus, among other favorable effects.
I agree with Eric, in that smoking during pregnancy is not wise, solely because you are literally denying oxygen, not to yourself as much as the child. But there are many other ways to consume cannabis; unfortunately they don’t get the same publicity as smoking a joint, which is literally the only way people think it is used.