A review examines how prenatal cannabinoid exposure affects early development, noting the disconnect between public perception of safety and medical recommendations for abstinence.
OB/GYN providers, public health communicators, pregnant individuals, and prenatal researchers.
Perception vs evidenceMany women believe cannabis is safe during pregnancy, contrary to evidence of developmental impacts
What the researchers found
Prenatal cannabis exposure influences neurodevelopmental trajectories through endocannabinoid system disruption, with effects potentially extending well beyond the neonatal period despite public perception that cannabis is safe during pregnancy.
Why it matters
Many women of reproductive age believe cannabis is safe during pregnancy, contrary to medical guidance. This review bridges the gap between public perception and scientific evidence.
The numbers in context
Public perception diverges from medical guidance of abstinence before, during, and after pregnancy, with many women of reproductive age believing cannabis use during pregnancy is safe.
How the study worked
Review examining evidence on prenatal cannabinoid exposure effects on early development and beyond.
Who was studied
Offspring exposed to cannabis prenatally, assessed across developmental stages.
What this study cannot tell us
Review format; much evidence is observational; disentangling cannabis effects from socioeconomic and other substance use factors remains challenging.
How to read the evidence
Review synthesizing observational and mechanistic evidence; highlights an important public health gap.
When this study was published
Recent review addressing an increasingly relevant public health challenge.
The bigger picture
The perception-evidence gap regarding cannabis safety during pregnancy represents a public health communication challenge that requires evidence-based messaging strategies.
Replication
Consistent with multiple reviews on prenatal cannabis; emphasizes the perception-evidence disconnect.
Funding
Not specified
Conflicts of interest
Not specified
Questions still open
- How can messaging about prenatal cannabis risks be improved?
- Are there trimester-specific vulnerability windows?
- Do CBD-only products carry similar prenatal risks?
Read the original research
Influence of prenatal cannabinoid exposure on early development and beyond.
Advances in drug and alcohol research, 3, 10981
Citation
Mulligan, Megan K; Hamre, Kristin M. (2023). Influence of prenatal cannabinoid exposure on early development and beyond.. Advances in drug and alcohol research, 3, 10981. https://doi.org/10.3389/adar.2023.10981