Hope your ready for this,
We will be diving deep into what we know so far about using marijuana and breast feeding your baby.
Some of mothers may not like hearing the truth,.
image credit: iStock
Before we get started here are some statistics:
- 20% of pregnant American woman between the ages of 18 to 24 test positive for Cannabis use
- Most mothers will stop Cannabis use during pregnancy
- Less then half continue to use weed while breastfeeding
- THC will get into breast milk, if the mother uses weed products
- Some evidence suggests regular Marijuana use during pregnancy may cause developmental disorders in children
- In moderations, may not be harmful, but larger about will cause problems
The Endocannabinoid System
Thanks to Marijuana, researchers where recently able to identify the Endocannabinoid system (1980’s). A previously totally unknown biological system that exists in every living being on earth.
This system plays a huge role in human health, reproduction, energy modulation, brain function and life cycle of every cell in the body.
The role of the Endocannabinoid system is beyond the scope of this article, read this abstract if your still not impressed.
Endocannabinoid Vs. Exo-Cannabinoid
Some people are confused about this, so lets clear up the differences.
Endocannabinoid are cannabinoids that are naturally produced internally (endogenous). For example, Anandamide is synthesized in the body from N-arachidonoyl phosphatidylethanolamine, which comes from the consumption of fatty foods and plants.
While Exo-cannabinoids are external sources that must be ingested. A great example of would be CBD, the prevalent cannabinoid found in chocolate. If you eat real Caco, your taking in a natural cannabinoid.
So whats that mean?
Basically, every living thing has cannabinoids, with higher concentrations in fats. Mothers milk, being high in lipids contains a wealth of nutrients and cannabinoids.
To the mother, the cannabinoids in milk are Endocannabinoids, to the baby they are Exo.
Cannabinoids in mothers milk are ready to use and biosynthesized.
The Conflict
A growing babies body, just as adults is full of Endocannabinoid receptors. Does the interference of these receptors from other cannabinoids effect the babies development?
Will THC cannabinoids in mothers milk reduce the absorption of pre biosynthesized “endocannabinoids”, if so, what would the effects be.
THC Cannabinoids are absorbed into Mothers Milk
THC can accumulate in lipids and be transfered into breast milk. If your brestfeeding and have smoked weed in the past few weeks. There will be some THC in your breast milk.
True, but what does that mean to you and your baby?
Since Cannabinoids are fat soluble, they will accumulate in breast milk. This fact has been proven through multiple studies, it’s also just common sense. The amount of THC in breast milk and its effects on babies development is no clear.
Possible development and behavioral problems
This study conducted in 1990 outlines:
exposure to THC through breast milk in the first month of life could result in decreased motor development at 1 year old
The results from this study are not well defined. They also have not controlled the rate of cannabis use and other factors.
But, the overall results correlate with todays data
This study was done by collecting statistical data over a wide range of mothers and their children. Even if the endocannabinoid system was not discovered at the time. This type of data would still hold true.
Other Factor for Future Studies
Not enough information was known about the Endocannabinoid system at the time.
This study is full of holes, first off stating that Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is present in mothers milk without detailing THC’s present state. THC can be detected as THC, THCa and THC-COOH, which one is it?
- THCa is the psychoactive cannabinoid that causes a high. It’s also quickly converted to THC-COOH, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid thats full of health benefits.
- THC-COOH is also the only THC cannabinoid that can be stored in body fat and lipids.
- THC, not THCa the activated version is also non-psychoactive, is anti-inflammatory, full of anti-oxidants. Not to mention the research being conducted into its ability to treat MRSA.