These days it seems as if everyone is taking CBD as a natural treatment and wellness supplement. In particular, it has many benefits for women’s health and has been used for menstrual symptoms, breast cancer, autoimmune diseases, nausea, and vomiting. If you’re experiencing morning sickness or have been taking CBD for general wellness, you may have wondered: can I take CBD if I’m pregnant?
While research is sparse on the topic, anecdotal evidence suggests that taking CBD oil can help with pregnancy-related symptoms like vomiting, nausea, anxiety, and insomnia. However, we stress that if you take any CBD oil while pregnant or nursing, the formula you take should be THC-free. Fortunately, there are broad spectrum formulas on the market, such as Saving Grace’s Wellness THC-Free Formula and Recovery THC- Free Formula.
Whichever CBD you choose, it should also be high quality and organic to avoid contamination from pesticides and other chemicals.
In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits and safety of taking CBD while pregnant.
Are There Benefits of Taking CBD During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy can come with some discomfort, and CBD helps alleviate some of the uncomfortable symptoms that accompany it, like morning sickness due to hormonal changes and physical discomforts like backache.
CBD can provide a natural treatment for conditions like:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cramping
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- High stress
- Hormone-induced acne
- Inflammatory conditions
- Migraine
- Mood swings and disorders
- Swollen feet
Morning sickness can be debilitating and lead to dehydration and other serious problems. In addition, some of the medications currently used to treat this condition tend to have undesirable side effects, such as insomnia, dizziness, blurred vision, and anxiety. CBD, by contrast, does not have any side effects and provides a safe and natural treatment.
Many people also use CBD as a wellness supplement for ongoing conditions like pain or seizures. You may also be wondering if it is possible to continue doing so during pregnancy. Therefore, it is necessary to balance the benefits of CBD against potential risks. But first, it’s essential to understand how CBD works to provide safe and natural treatment.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD works so well because its structure resembles the endocannabinoids found in the human body. Endocannabinoids are found in all mammals and form a system that regulates the body’s organs and interactions. CBD helps by boosting the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) and its regulatory mechanism to maintain balance in the body.
For example, the ECS regulates the connection between the brain and the gut, which produces feelings of nausea and the vomit reflex when a foreign or toxic substance is ingested. CBD alleviates these conditions by soothing the brain-gut axis and has been seen to help in reducing symptoms of morning sickness.
CBD likewise supports muscle relaxation to reduce cramping and reduces inflammation. These functions provide natural treatments for the discomforts and difficulties of pregnancy.
Is It Safe to Take CBD While Pregnant or Nursing?
The first thing you should know about using CBD while pregnant or nursing is that there is very little research on the matter. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence of CBD alleviating symptoms like nausea, vomiting, anxiety, insomnia, swollen feet, and other discomforts associated with pregnancy. Some pregnant people also use it to regulate hormones to prevent mood swings and depression.
However, due to the lack of research on its effects, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend using CBD during pregnancy; this is due to concerns about the impact of CBD on fetuses and nursing babies. Some of the specific references are liver toxicity or damage and the possibility of harmful interactions with other drugs.
When weighing the decision to use CBD during pregnancy, talk to your doctor.
What Kind of CBD Oil Should You Use?
When using CBD during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, the quality of the product is of the most significant importance. First of all, CBD oil should be THC-free. THC is one of the many cannabinoids found in marijuana and hemp plants and is the primary psychoactive component. CBD is the primary therapeutic cannabinoid that provides CBD oil’s health benefits.
There are two kinds of CBD available – full spectrum, which contains the full range of cannabinoids including THC (under .3%) and CBD, and isolates, which have only CBD. During pregnancy, most recommend that you should only use THC-free formulas.
THC has been linked to low birth weight and developmental problems.
It’s always best to use CBD oil extracted and formulated organically and chemical-free, especially if pregnant or nursing. Organic compounds lower the risk of contamination due to chemicals from pesticides and other sources, which can have harmful effects on your baby if ingested.
Another way to identify a high-quality product is by checking if the manufacturer includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA) with the product or online. The COA will list all ingredients as certified by third-party analysis.
What’s the Right Dosage?
When it comes to dosage, follow the directions on the product label. It’s best to begin with the lowest possible dosage that helps alleviate symptoms and increase it slowly if needed.
CBD is available in many forms, but oil is best as it can be absorbed into the bloodstream more efficiently when taken sublingually. Likewise, taking CBD in liquid form as an oil or tincture can be the best option because it allows you to control the dosage.
Should You Take CBD While Pregnant or Nursing?
When taking CBD or any other medication, you should always consult your doctor first to discuss possible conflicts with any other medicines. It’s also a good idea to monitor your dosage, reactions, and symptoms regularly.
There is plenty of evidence showing the benefits of CBD during pregnancy. It provides a safe and natural treatment for nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and many other conditions associated with morning sickness. It also helps to promote overall wellness during this challenging and fulfilling time.