Is It Safe to Use CBD Oil During Pregnancy andBreastfeeding

CBD oil is a popular cannabis product. This article will discuss CBD oil and why using CBD oil when pregnant or breastfeeding is risky.

CBD oil is becoming a household product as it is the most popular form of CBD because it is versatile. You can infuse your DIYS with CBD oil to make edibles, skin care products,tinctures, etc. The legalization of hemp-derived from CBD has greatly impacted the current CBD craze. CBD oil is less stigmatized as there is also more awareness through research and usage. More companies are also springing up to compete against other companies toward meeting the demand for CBD among users. However, CBD is not meant for everyone. This article will discuss the safety of CBD oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

What Is CBD?

Within hemp and Marijuana are hundreds of chemical components known as cannabinoids. CBD (cannabidiol) is an example of a cannabinoid. While hemp and Marijuana are both cannabis, their chemical composition is based on the levels of a cannabinoid known as THC(tetrahydrocannabinol). Most people imagine cannabis has psychoactive properties, but that is not the case. Hemp cannot make users feel high because it has a negligible amount of THC, the cannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive properties of cannabis.

Marijuana has plenty of THC and will make the user' feel high 'when consumed. THC, therefore, lays the basis on which cannabis is considered legal in countries that have allowed hemp use but outlawed Marijuana. It is important to familiarize yourself with the cannabis laws of your locality because it differs from one area to the next. Some countries have strict laws against all kinds of cannabis, including hemp.

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is any oil laced with CBD. Unlike hemp oil extracted directly from hemp and compressed, CBD oil is a hemp product comprising two main ingredients – the oil and CBD. The oil is used as a carrier. The common CBD oil carriers are hemp oil, coconut oil, and olive oil.

Is It Safe To Use CBD Oil During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?

When a woman is pregnant, some common symptoms are body aches, low moods, and sleeplessness – symptoms that  CBD is known to treat and manage.Smith et al. (2020) claimed that CBD would boost milk production because it is a natural product like fenugreek, but it can affect the hormones negatively and suppress the milk flow. Learn more about is cbd oil safe for kids?

Can I Use CBD Oil Topically While Pregnant And Breastfeeding?

You can use CBD oil topically when pregnant because it cannot permeate the skin. The skin is too dense for CBD topicals to get into the bloodstream, so the mother will only feel the effects of the CBD oil. Use CBD on the breasts when breastfeeding to prevent the baby from ingesting it.

Why Is Using CBD Oil When Pregnant Or Breastfeeding Risky?

Legal (2020) stated that women should not use CBD when pregnant or breastfeeding stating the substances put the child's life at risk and may lead to congenital disabilities. While CBD oil may be safe, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are vulnerable because as they consume CBD, the baby also ingests it. Topical use of CBD oil might be safe for a pregnant or a lactating mother so long as caution is taken and the baby does not consume it. However, every other method is dangerous as the CBD gets into the bloodstream, hence consumption by the baby. The following are more reasons why CBD oil is risky; Learn more about cbd oil for skincare

The Research On The Effects Of CBD Is Inconclusive

The research on the side effects of CBD is still ongoing. Any side effect or complication associated with CBD is linked with improper use, for instance, overdosing and mixing CBD with other medication. Contaminants and allergens cause other side effects in CBD. CBD is considered safe, but since different people react differently to it, it is risky to assume that it cannot harm mother and child.

The Mother's Side Effects May Affect The Child Too

Since both the mother and the baby consume CBD, it is risky because the baby may be overwhelmed by the dosage. Overdosage is one of the causes of side effects for CBD oil users. The best way for a mother to avoid overdosing while pregnant or lactating is to avoid CBD oil.

Some CBD Oil Is of Low Quality

The CBD market is expanding rapidly, and the determination to appeal to consumers has caused stiff competition, particularly by companies dealing with contraband and sometimes unlabeled products. Evans (2020) opined that because CBD may come as a fraud, mislabeled, or contaminated, CBD should be discouraged when pregnant or breastfeeding. The low-quality products impress the customers because they are usually cheaper. The downside of buying unlabeled and mislabeled CBD products is that they may contain contaminants and allergens that may harm the consumer. For instance, when THC has contaminated CBD, it may harm the baby's development. Lee et al. (2021) stated that exposure to THC leads to cardiac dysfunction in postnatal life. A good quality CBD oil will come with a label with details such as the nutritional list so that the user can look through the ingredients and additives on the label to confirm that it is safe. It will also have the size to help the user dose and budget accordingly. The labels also contain the company's address so the user may contact the company incase of any issues.

When to Consult the Doctor

The pregnant or breastfeeding mother should seek the doctor's counsel before using CBD oil for advice on the better options that she can use to treat and manage health issues. It may be tempting to use CBD without seeking the doctor's advice, but the effects on the child from using CBD may cause irreversible damage to the child's mental and cognitive health. It may also lead to stillbirths. CBD is safe to use, but as the cannabis market is unregulated and sometimes has unclear laws, customers can unknowingly buy contaminated CBD. Therefore, customers should avoid CBD products entirely until they are no longer pregnant or lactating.Joseph &Vettraino(2020) noted that CBD of all forms should be avoided during pregnancy.

Conclusion

The legalization of CBD aroused interest among users, and companies have since been making more CBD products to meet the user's needs. CBD oil is especially popular because it is versatile. It is tempting for the pregnant or breastfeeding mother to want to use CBD oil to treat and manage the symptoms of pregnancies, such as sleeplessness and emotional and mental distress. However, it is best to avoid CBD until delivery and when the baby is no longer breastfeeding to prevent the transmission of toxins from mother to child through CBD. The cannabis market is unregulated, and there is no knowing the effects of low-quality CBD on the pregnant or breastfeeding mother, which may lead to irreversible damage to the child.

References

Lee, K., Laviolette, S. R., &Hardy, D. B. (2021). Exposure ToΔ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol During Rat Pregnancy Leads To Impaired Cardiac Dysfunction In Postnatal Life. Pediatric Research, 90(3), 532-539.

Joseph, P., &Vettraino, I. M. (2020). Cannabis In Pregnancy And Lactation–A Review. Missouri Medicine, 117(5), 400.

Evans, D. G. (2020). Medical Fraud, Mislabeling, Contamination: All Common In CBD Products. Missouri Medicine, 117(5), 394.

Legal, I. C. (2020). Cannabidiol. Missouri Medicine, 117(5), 395.