A recent study conducted by the Icahn School of Medicine and the City University of New York has found that consuming cannabis during pregnancy can make children more susceptible to aggression, anxiety, hyperactivity, and stress. While many people use cannabis to alleviate stress and anxiety, the study found that the cannabinoid signaling involved in stress modulation can have the opposite effect on children when consumed by pregnant women. The study examined 322 mother-child pairs as part of a long-term study on stress during pregnancy. The researchers discovered that maternal cannabis consumption can alter the time interval between heartbeats in children, which is a known indicator of increased sensitivity to stress.
The study also found that maternal cannabis consumption can lead to higher levels of anxiety in children who were exposed to the drug before birth. RNA analysis of placental tissue taken at the time of birth showed that cannabis consumption during pregnancy suppresses immune-activating genes in children that are associated with higher levels of anxiety. The authors of the study criticize the public debate surrounding cannabis, stating that the negative effects of the drug are not being adequately considered. They argue that pregnant women are being misled about the risks of cannabis consumption, and that more education is needed to raise awareness of these risks.
Yasmin Hurd, Director of the Institute for Addiction Research at Mount Sinai, emphasizes the need for greater awareness of the risks of cannabis consumption during pregnancy. She notes that while many people believe that cannabis is harmless, the reality is that the drug is now stronger than it was a few years ago. The study’s findings highlight the importance of caution when it comes to cannabis consumption during pregnancy, and the need for more research to fully understand the effects of the drug on developing fetuses.
