Prenatal Cannabis Use
Written by Diksha Kudlamath
Edited by Mateo Cepeda
Jan 31, 2021
Edited by Mateo Cepeda
Jan 31, 2021
The use of cannabis has become extremely popular whether it is used recreationally, medically, or even in several beauty products. Cannabis has become legalized in some states in America for both medical and recreational use. However, there is still some research to be done regarding the long-term effects that cannabis can have on people, especially teenagers and children. For example, did you know that pregnant women who are exposed to cannabis can cause the offspring to have altered behavior in their adult life?
Washington State University recently conducted a study that showed the long-term impacts cannabis can have on rats. In order to carry this study out, they would expose pregnant rats to cannabis in a similar way that pregnant women would do so that they could get more accurate results. They also studied how the offspring reacted in different environments which caused them to be more anxious and made them less likely to be social. They even exposed the rats to vapor by using components that are commonly found in vape juice. The research concluded that there were several behavioral changes and cognitive deficits in the offspring, which included the offspring not wanting to interact with other rats along with some of the rats exhibiting less playful behavior. These effects were present even when the offspring grew into adults.
These results found in rats are alarming because they can have these effects on humans as well. The fact that prenatal cannabis use can have huge long-term impacts on offspring continuing on to their adulthood is shocking! Some people who are considering having children or are pregnant currently may use cannabis for medical or recreational use. This research is extremely important because people who are considering having a child or are currently pregnant need to be aware of the effects that cannabis can have on their unborn children. There is still so much more research that needs to be done on cannabis and the long-term effects it can have: be aware of cannabis and its effects, especially on younger people!
Works Cited
Washington State University. "Prenatal cannabis exposure linked to cognitive deficits, altered behavior." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 October 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201014095130.htm>.
Image Source: "Cannabis sativa (marijuana plants) (Manhattan, Kansas, USA) 15" by James St. John licensed under CC BY 2.0