Pregnant and recently postpartum women who suffer with mental health disorders may be vulnerable to using cannabis to self-medicate, according to a Rutgers-led study.
In a nationally representative survey, Qiana L. Brown, an assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Social Work, examined the relationship between mental health disorders, cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) among pregnant and postpartum women in the US. The findings were published online in
“Most prior research grouped mental health disorders into general classes, such as any mood disorder or any anxiety disorder, without examining the relationship between specific types of mood and anxiety disorders and cannabis use and CUD during and after pregnancy.”
Despite public health messaging encouraging women to abstain from using cannabis during pregnancy and while breast feeding, the prevalence of cannabis use by women of reproductive age has been increasing.
In a previous study by Brown and colleagues published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the prevalence of past month cannabis use increased 62 percent among pregnant women and 47 percent among nonpregnant women of reproductive age from 2002 to 2014.
A recent study highlighted by News-Medical revealed that pregnant and postpartum women diagnosed with mental health disorders exhibit a higher likelihood of turning to cannabis use. The research sheds light on an alarming trend that underscores the complex interplay between mental health challenges, pregnancy, and substance consumption.
The study, conducted by maternal and child health experts, examined the correlation between mental health disorders and cannabis use among expectant and new mothers. The findings indicated a concerning connection, suggesting that those grappling with mental health issues are at an increased risk of seeking solace in cannabis.
This research has raised crucial concerns due to the potential adverse effects of cannabis on both maternal health and fetal development. Cannabis use during pregnancy can pose significant risks, ranging from preterm birth and low birth weight to potential cognitive and behavioral problems in the child.
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