CBD has taken the world by storm. With the legalization of this cannabis byproduct and more evidence coming to light of its uses, the popularity of CBD is skyrocketing. More and more people today are using CBD as a remedy for various mental and physical troubles.
While CBD has become a household name, a question still lingers about its safety in the long term. Are you a CBD user and plan on starting a family? Do you wonder if it is safe for use? If yes, you are in the right place. Read on to find out how safe CBD is during pregnancy
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What is CBD?
Before we begin to understand how CBD affects the health of a pregnant woman and the child, it’s important to understand what it is. The cannabis plant contains hundreds of chemical
compounds called cannabinoids, and CBD is the most prominent one. It is a therapeutic and non-psychoactive compound, meaning it won’t get you high. According to recent research, CBD may help with many physical and psychological ailments.
Wondering how it works? Your body has a complex structure of cells called the endocannabinoid system. It regulates your mood, sleep, emotions, appetite, digestion, and even reproductive health. The endocannabinoid system produces neurotransmitters called cannabinoids that are identical to the ones present in cannabis. These cannabinoids bind with receptors in the body, notably CB1 and CB2 which are present in your organs and impact how you feel or react. When CBD enters your body, it communicates with these receptors in a similar way and alters your bodily processes.
Is It Safe For Pregnant Women To Consume CBD?
Women undergo significant changes during the nine months of pregnancy. It brings pain, nausea, vomiting, mood swings, and bloating. CBD, with its therapeutic properties, may help overcome these problems Many pregnant women are now resorting to CBD to tackle morning sickness and anxiety. Although there are reports that CBD can also affect the development of the fetus. It might significantly impact the fetus, leading to disruption in the development of the brain or lower birth weight. So the question arises, is CBD safe for use during pregnancy?
The research about the effects of CBD during pregnancy is scant, so it is difficult to ascertain whether it is safe or not. The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) is trying to collect data about the effects of CBD during pregnancy and breastfeeding. But, the evidence we have today is still lacking.
SinceCBD comes from a plant, and being a natural ingredient, it can be assumed it’s safe. The cannabinoid is also non-psychoactive, which means that it will not induce a mind-altering high. CBD will not interfere with your consciousness or mind, which makes it safe for use.
As per the laws, the CBD products must have 0.3% THC or less. THC is the cannabinoid that is responsible for making cannabis psychoactive. If you are worried about CBD products getting you high, you can specifically look for products that have 0.3% THC or less.
The jury is still out on the long term effects of CBD on both the mother and the baby and consulting your physician might give you more insights.
What Are The Ways Of Using CBD?
If you want to use CBD to battle the troubles that pregnancy is causing , here are a few methods:
1. Oral
The most convenient way of using CBD is orally. You can get / and place a few drops under your tongue, hold it for 60 seconds, and the bloodstream under your tongue will absorb it. You will start feeling the effects within a few seconds, so if you need instant results, you can opt for oral methods.
2. Edibles
Edibles are food and drinks infused with CBD. Make your favorite food and add a few drops of CBD oil on top of it to make your own edible. You can also get CBD-infused gummy bears, cookies and brownies. It can take 30-60 minutes for you to feel the effects of an edible.
3. Topicals
Topicals are creams and lotions that have CBD infused in them. For localized pain and inflammation, you can apply the cream on to the affected area. CBD binds with the CB2 receptors present in your skin and may reduce pain or inflammation. Alternatively, one can buy a pot for pot and reap similar benefits.
Final Thoughts
People have been using cannabis and its byproducts for centuries both recreationally and medicinally. It’s only in the past few decades that the benefits of CBD are coming to the light. The therapeutic properties of CBD are helping transform the lives of many people. There isn’t much information available on the safety of CBD during pregnancy. But, if we consider the evidence so far about the benefits of the cannabinoid , the future looks promising.