TUESDAY, July 11, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Marijuana use during pregnancy may impact the baby’s brain development and long-term health, according to new research with monkeys.
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) — the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis — altered the placental and fetal epigenome in monkeys who were given THC edibles, researchers say. These modifications can cause changes that affect the way genes work.
Such changes to gene regulation and expression are like those seen with common neurobehavioral conditions, including autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the researchers said. However, they did not say cannabis caused those disorders.
“Cannabis is one of the most commonly used drugs and is widely available across the country, so there is a common perception that its completely safe to use,” said study lead author Lyndsey Shorey-Kendrick, a computational biologist at Oregon Health & Science University’s Oregon National Primate Research Center.
“The reality is that cannabis still carries many health risks for certain populations, including those who are pregnant,” Shorey-Kendrick said in a school news release.
Cannabis use in pregnancy is rapidly increasing, especially during the first trimester, when people may use it to reduce the effects of morning sickness, the study noted.
