Can Marijuana Smoking During Pregnancy Help With Nausea?:

At the moment, marijuana is having something of a moment in the sun. While it is still a controlled substance, it is possible to get a medical prescription for it in some Australian states. 

Here in Australia, you might be able to get access to medical marijuana if your doctor deems it necessary. It’s often prescribed for cancer patients who need to manage the side effects of chemotherapy and the pain associated with cancer.

In the United States, the legalization of CBD oil derived from hemp led to a surge in mainstream interest in the benefits of weed. It’s estimated that the CBD industry alone will be worth $1.8 billion by 2022.

It’s especially useful in the treatment of nausea and vomiting. For that reason, it’s a remedy that pregnant women are starting to turn to manage morning sickness. Should you try it yourself? That’s what we’ll look at in the remainder of this article.

Can It Help with Nausea?

Studies show that marijuana is useful in the treatment of nausea. So, yes, it is an anti-emetic. Can it help with nausea caused by morning sickness? It could, but a better question might be whether or not you should use it while pregnant.

What Are the Potential Risks?

Marijuana is largely being seen as a harmless substance. So why not take it during pregnancy? What’s the harm? Moderate use as a very last resort could help settle your stomach. But there are serious risks to consider as well: 

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

This is a syndrome that results in severe bouts of vomiting. It’s relatively rare but something that could happen if you use marijuana daily over a longer period. 

It Might Affect Brain Development in the Foetus

According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists, marijuana use during pregnancy affects the baby’s brain development. There might be a link between marijuana use during pregnancy and attention-deficit disorder and other behavioural disorders.

The Association goes as far as suggesting that women who are pregnant or those who want to fall pregnant should avoid smoking weed.

You’ll Be High

Smoking a joint early in the morning could leave you feeling high for four or five hours afterwards. That’s not a promotional bell-ringer and could affect your ability to perform normal tasks.

What About CBD Oil?

Marijuana has many active compounds in it. CBD is a compound that can assist with nausea. The upside is that it’s not psychoactive. The compound that gives you the buzz is THC. A good-quality CBD product won’t contain THC in an amount to make you high.

So, if you really cannot handle nausea, this is a much a safer option than smoking the whole plant.

What About After Baby is Born?

If you’re breastfeeding, steer clear of any weed. The body processes marijuana fairly slowly, so there’s a good chance that the THC will be passed through the breast milk. It can prevent the baby from gaining weight properly and could cause your milk to dry up faster.

What’s the Final Verdict?

At this stage, we’d say that it’s better to consider this only as a last resort. Check out our article on dealing with morning sickness here for tips to try first. If those don’t work, then speak to your doctor before dosing yourself.