Cannabis Use During Pregnancy May Affect Child Development, Study Says:
In recent years, cannabis has been increasingly legalized across the globe, and, consequently, it has become a popular method of self-care, from balms that help provide muscle relaxation to bath products that help promote sleep. But, while many swear by the calming effects of the plant, one study is finding it’s yet another thing pregnant women may want to steer clear of.
The study found that the children of mothers who used cannabis during pregnancy had higher levels of anxiety, aggression, hyperactivity, and the stress hormone cortisol. Additionally, they were more sensitive to stress. Looking at the placental tissue of the mothers , the researchers found that cannabis use was associated with lower levels of genes that build immunity, like pro-inflammatory cytokines, which help in protection against disease-causing bacteria and viruses.
According to the researchers, cannabis has become one of the most used recreational drugs amongst pregnant women. While the study is small, the researchers caution that cannabis use could have adverse effects on fetal and childhood development. “We know that cannabinoid signaling plays a role in modulating stress, which is why some people use cannabis to reduce anxiety and relax,” Yoko Nomura, Professor of Psychology at CUNY Graduate Center and Queens College and first author of the paper said in a press release.
“Pregnant women are being bombarded with misinformation that cannabis is of no risk, while the reality is that cannabis is more potent today than it was even a few years ago. Our findings indicate that using it during pregnancy can have long-term impact on children,” Yasmin Hurd, PhD, the Ward-Coleman Chair of Translational Neuroscience, Director of the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai and senior author of the paper, also said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pfizer vaccine protecting against hospitalisation during Omicron wave - studyTwo doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine appear to have given 70% protection against hospitalisation in South Africa in recent weeks, a major real-world study on the potential impact of Omicron showed on Tuesday, as the country battles a spike in infections linked to the new variant.
Read more »
South Africa study shows two Pfizer shots may halt 70% of omicron hospitalizations: reportTwo shots of the COVID vaccine produced by Pfizer undefined and BioNTech undefined may offer 70% protection against hospitalizations due to the omicron...
Read more »
Can Anxiety Cause You to Have Bad Dreams? We Asked ExpertsExperts agree that anxious thoughts can manifest themselves as bad dreams or stress dreams during the night.
Read more »
U.S. energy firms push states for carbon markets to spur renewable fuel growthU.S. energy companies are pressing states to speed development of low-carbon fuel markets, warning that numerous proposed projects to make renewable natural gas and other biofuels may fizzle.
Read more »
Major COVID-19 Case Growth Expected in Coming WeeksMost of the U.S. will see significant growth in COVID-19 cases during the next four weeks, according to the latest forecasting models by the PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Read more »
From ‘Ted Lasso’ to ‘Girls5Eva’: How Emmy Wins and Snubs May Affect Comedies at Winter Awards'It's such a solid show. Hannah Einbinder is fantastic. It's a great ensemble as well,' franklinavenue says of Hacks' chances in the comedy race this awards season. Watch the full awards season analysis: | Variety Awards Circuit video presented by HBO
Read more »