One in five young pregnant women had tried CBD products, linked to prior substance use
In a cohort of 186 pregnant women under 22, about 20% had tried CBD products, with prior alcohol and drug use being the strongest predictor of CBD use.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 186 pregnant participants under age 22 (75% Black or Biracial), approximately one in five had ever used CBD products. Few reported CBD use during the current pregnancy specifically. Those who had tried CBD were more likely to report alcohol and other drug use prior to pregnancy, even after controlling for race. CBD is marketed to pregnant people for common conditions, but preclinical evidence links CBD exposure to embryotoxicity and developmental effects.
Key Numbers
186 participants; 75% Black or Biracial; ~20% ever used CBD; prior alcohol and drug use predicted CBD use; under age 22
How They Did This
Prospective cohort from the YoungMoms study of pregnant people under 22. Examined demographic, medical, and psychosocial correlates of CBD use using logistic regression controlling for race.
Why This Research Matters
CBD products are widely marketed as natural and safe, including to pregnant people. This is one of the first studies to examine CBD use specifically (not just cannabis) in a pregnant population.
The Bigger Picture
As CBD products proliferate without FDA regulation and are marketed for pregnancy-related complaints like nausea and anxiety, understanding who uses them during pregnancy becomes critical for prenatal safety messaging.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small cohort of 186 from one site. Young, predominantly Black/Biracial sample may not generalize. "Ever used" does not distinguish timing or frequency. Self-reported use may underestimate prevalence.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are pregnant women using CBD because they believe it is safer than THC-containing cannabis?
- ?Would clearer labeling about pregnancy risks reduce CBD use during pregnancy?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 1 in 5 young pregnant women had tried CBD products
- Evidence Grade:
- Prospective cohort providing novel data on CBD use in pregnancy, but small single-site sample limits generalizability.
- Study Age:
- Published 2023
- Original Title:
- Factors associated with ever using cannabidiol in a cohort of younger pregnant people.
- Published In:
- Neurotoxicology and teratology, 96, 107162 (2023)
- Authors:
- De Genna, Natacha M(6), Kennon-McGill, Stefanie(2), Goldschmidt, Lidush(2), Richardson, Gale A, Chang, Judy C
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04491
Evidence Hierarchy
Enrolls participants and follows them forward in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do pregnant women use CBD?
About 20% of young pregnant women in this study had tried CBD products. While few used CBD during the current pregnancy, the prevalence of prior use suggests growing exposure in this population.
Is CBD safe during pregnancy?
Preclinical research has linked CBD exposure to embryotoxicity and developmental effects in offspring. No human safety data exists specifically for CBD during pregnancy.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04491APA
De Genna, Natacha M; Kennon-McGill, Stefanie; Goldschmidt, Lidush; Richardson, Gale A; Chang, Judy C. (2023). Factors associated with ever using cannabidiol in a cohort of younger pregnant people.. Neurotoxicology and teratology, 96, 107162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ntt.2023.107162
MLA
De Genna, Natacha M, et al. "Factors associated with ever using cannabidiol in a cohort of younger pregnant people.." Neurotoxicology and teratology, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ntt.2023.107162
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Factors associated with ever using cannabidiol in a cohort o..." RTHC-04491. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/de-2023-factors-associated-with-ever
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.