CBD, or cannabidiol, is experiencing a surge in popularity as a natural supplement used to improve well-being. However, its use during pregnancy raises numerous questions and concerns. While some pregnant women explore CBD to alleviate pregnancy-related symptoms such as nausea or anxiety, medical and scientific authorities maintain strict caution. Indeed, recent research data indicates that CBD cannot be considered risk-free for maternal health and fetal development. The complexity of cannabidiol and its interaction with the endocannabinoid system, which is particularly sensitive during pregnancy, necessitates a rigorous analysis of the precautions to be taken. This article explores in detail the issues related to CBD use during pregnancy, current expert recommendations, and so-called safe alternatives.
CBD Risks for Maternal Health and Fetal Development: What Do Recent Studies Say?
Although CBD is often presented as a natural product without significant psychotropic effects, its safety during pregnancy has not been established. Several recent studies conducted on animal models highlight potentially dangerous effects on maternal health and fetal development.
For example, a 2023 American study assessed the effects of prenatal CBD exposure on mice. The results revealed that babies exposed to CBD experienced significant disruptions in their neurological and behavioral development, impacting memory and learning abilities. In addition to these effects, increased aggression was observed in the pups, raising concerns about potential long-term emotional or cognitive problems for the human children they may be exposed to.
Research conducted in 2024 by scientists at Aix-Marseille University further explored this aspect, detailing that prenatal CBD exposure altered the properties of neurons in key brain regions responsible for regulating emotions and pain perception. According to these researchers, these neuronal changes could increase a child’s vulnerability to psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, or even schizophrenia.
- More recently, in early 2025, a team from McMaster University in Canada highlighted the interference of CBD with fetal growth and placental function. The study emphasizes that ingesting CBD oil leads to structural changes in the placenta, disrupting the formation of blood vessels essential for nutrient exchange between mother and fetus. This alteration could contribute to obstetric complications, or even intrauterine growth restriction.
- These converging results call for increased vigilance. Oral CBD consumption, often favored for relieving pregnancy symptoms, could affect the baby’s neurodevelopment and placental physiology. Healthcare professionals therefore recommend approaching this issue with caution and prioritizing validated and safe methods.
- Neurological and behavioral effects: alterations in neuronal development and potential disorders after birth.
Side effects for the mother: drowsiness, digestive problems, and weight loss have been reported.
Potential risk of subsequent development of psychiatric disorders in the exposed child.
Discover the essential precautions and recommendations regarding the use of CBD during pregnancy to ensure the safety of both mother and baby. CBD precautions during pregnancy: official recommendations for a safe pregnancy. The lack of reliable data on the effects of CBD in pregnant women has led health authorities to adopt a highly cautious approach. Midwife Anh Chi Ton reminds us that CBD, like all cannabis derivatives, is strictly discouraged throughout pregnancy.
This caution is based on cannabidiol’s ability to cross the placental barrier, as highlighted by a 2024 study conducted by the National Institutes of Health. This study reveals that
50% of the CBD concentration present in maternal blood plasma is also found in fetal plasma.
- Cannabidiol binds primarily to circulating albumin to cross the placenta, which implies direct contact with the fetus’s body, a stage where organs and the brain are particularly vulnerable.
- In terms of maternal health, there are also risks associated with CBD use. These include side effects such as excessive drowsiness, digestive issues (cramps, diarrhea, nausea), and weight loss, which can compromise the comfort and overall health of the pregnant woman.
To ensure optimal health for both mother and child, CBD pregnancy recommendations emphasize the complete avoidance of cannabidiol. Dr. Sylvie Derobert, an addiction specialist, stresses: “We cannot guarantee that CBD is without consequences for the psychomotor development of the fetus.” This warning combines scientific caution with medical responsibility.
Potential sources of CBD: oils, herbal teas, candies, or other cosmetic products.
Validated natural alternatives for relieving pregnancy symptoms, such as naturopathy and gentle methods.
- Always consult a healthcare professional before taking any supplements or remedies.
- This advice is part of a comprehensive approach to responsible and safe support, designed to avoid any preventable risks.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a crucial role in regulating many physiological processes, particularly during pregnancy. It influences fetal brain maturation, the immune response, and the maintenance of homeostasis. By modulating this system, CBD can cause unexpected and potentially harmful effects in pregnant women and their babies.
When cannabidiol is introduced into the body, it acts on specific ECS receptors such as CB1 and CB2, present in the brain, placenta, and other essential tissues. This interaction can disrupt the hormonal and neurochemical balance necessary for a healthy pregnancy.
Possible consequences of this disruption include:
- Altered emotional regulation, potentially leading to anxiety or depression in the newborn.
- Changes in pain perception mechanisms, which could influence the response to the postnatal environment.
- A negative impact on neuronal maturation, potentially compromising cognitive and motor development.
Studies conducted on animal models have demonstrated that prenatal exposure to CBD can alter brain plasticity, with lasting effects on behavior. These findings highlight the need for a better understanding of cannabidiol’s mechanisms of action before considering its safe use in pregnant women. Therefore, using CBD during pregnancy is a high-risk activity, fully justifying the cautionary recommendations issued by healthcare professionals. The complexity of the endocannabinoid system and the fragility of the prenatal period mean that this consumption should not be trivialized in the context of pregnancy.
Discover the essential precautions and recommendations regarding CBD use during pregnancy to ensure the safety of both mother and baby. Are CBD products safe during pregnancy: myth or reality?
Current regulations classify CBD as a food supplement, free of THC in trace amounts, which gives it a more reassuring image than traditional cannabis. However, this distinction in no way guarantees its safety during pregnancy.
Points to consider are:
The absence of robust clinical studies validating the safety of these products for fetal health.
- Variability in quality and concentration between different batches, even in labeled products. The possibility of contaminants or residues of undeclared active substances that could harm the baby’s development.
- Consequently, despite the marketing encouraged around “safe CBD products,” medical authorities do not recommend their use for pregnant women. A rigorous medical approach remains essential when choosing or rejecting these solutions.
- Furthermore, several natural alternatives, such as prenatal yoga, relaxation techniques, or certain validated homeopathic remedies, offer effective and safe ways to manage stress, nausea, or sleep disturbances. These methods thus better meet safety requirements than CBD.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Tjmzn4zNeE CBD pregnancy advice and awareness: how to support expectant mothers?
Aware of the temptations associated with CBD use by pregnant women, many healthcare professionals are working to disseminate appropriate advice and raise awareness. This involves providing clear and accessible information about the risks and the lack of proven benefits of cannabidiol during pregnancy.
Communication regarding CBD during pregnancy focuses on several key areas:
