Cannabis Lasts up to Six Days in Breast Milk
[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]T[/dropcap]he debate over whether medical cannabis is harmful to unborn babies rages on. Published Aug. 27 in the journal Pediatrics, a new study determined that cannabis metabolites persist in breast milk for up to six days after consumption.
Fifty women who inhaled cannabis daily, weekly or sporadically provided samples and they were examined by investigators. Investigators say that they were able to detect cannabis up to six days after consumption in 63 percent of the samples.
But investigators stopped short of advocating for the complete cessation of cannabis use in all mothers.
“Pediatricians are often put into a challenging situation when a breastfeeding mother asks about the safety of marijuana use,” Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH, principal investigator of the study stated in a press release. “We don’t have strong, published data to support advising against use of marijuana while breastfeeding, and if women feel they have to choose, we run the risk of them deciding to stop breastfeeding — something we know is hugely beneficial for both mom and baby.”
It’s notable to consider that THC and CBD bind to fat molecules, making the stick especially in substances like mother’s milk. A higher chance of detection should be expected. While the amount of THC and CBD that can be present in mother’s milk is significantly low, there is no data available on how doses affect tiny baby bodies.
Interestingly, naturally-occurring endocannabinoids are already present in mother’s milk, and some have postulated that endocannabinoids play a major beneficial role in unborn and newborn baby health. Like cannabinoids, endocannabinoids like Anandamide bind to the same brain receptors.
With so much uncertainty over the safety of cannabinoids in newborn and unborn baby health, most doctors don’t like the idea of any exposure to cannabis in pregnant mothers. The World Health Organization recommends only breastfeeding babies for up to six months.
