Cannabis use during pregnancy: What you need to know

Despite public health advice urging women to avoid cannabis during pregnancy and breastfeeding, studies reveal a troubling trend. Cannabis use among women of reproductive age, both pregnant and non-pregnant, has been on the rise. From 2002 to 2014, past-month cannabis use increased by 62 percent among pregnant women and 47 percent among non-pregnant women of reproductive age, according to a prior study by Rutgers University. 

A recent study by Qiana L. Brown, an assistant professor at Rutgers University School of Social Work, sheds light on the intricate links between mental health, cannabis use, and its potential consequences during pregnancy and postpartum periods.

Pregnancy can bring about various mental health challenges, such as mood disorders, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorders. The study delves into the relationship between these conditions and cannabis use. Before this research, mental health disorders were often grouped into broad categories, making it difficult to pinpoint precise associations.

Brown's study, conducted with collaborators from prestigious institutions, examined responses from over 1,300 women in a national survey. The results revealed clear links between mental health disorders, cannabis use, and Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). Women with mood, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorders, as well as a history of personality disorders, were more likely to use cannabis and develop CUD.

However, the study's groundbreaking aspect was its focus on specific mental health disorders. It uncovered that while persistent and major depressive disorders correlated with both cannabis use and CUD, bipolar disorder was associated with cannabis use but not CUD. Similarly, anxiety disorders showed distinct patterns. Social anxiety and panic disorders were linked to increased cannabis use, while specific phobia was associated with higher odds of CUD.

Most notably, this research encompassed a broad spectrum of mental health disorders, providing valuable insights for tailored treatments and preventive interventions. In a world where cannabis is legal in many states for medical or recreational use, understanding these mental health connections is vital, especially for pregnant and postpartum women.