 |
|
|
| Effects Of Cannabis On Conception, & Pregnancy. | |
Written By Cris Mark
Cannabis (marijuana, hash, hash oil) continues to be a very
controversial drug. To legalize or not legalize is the question in
many places today.
If our perfectly legal, drugs such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol
are all proven to cause various conception and pregnancy problems,
then why should I think that cannabis would be any safer?
While drug activists may be quick to tell you about how cannabis can
be safely used as a herbal treatment for morning sickness, and while
marijuana may be considerably safer than say "thalidomide" (we all
know about that disaster prescribed for morning sickness) you really
need to wonder and question the safety of using this very common
recreational drug during conception, pregnancy or breast feeding.
Studies have proven that cannabis is higher in toxic carcinogens
than cigarettes. Studies have shown cellular damage to the lungs of
cannabis smokers, who smoked only two joints of cannabis a day, to
be as harmful as the damage caused by 28 tobacco cigarettes
The active ingredient in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC,
which gives the following effects, a false sense of well-being;
difficulty concentrating; distortions in time, and visual or
auditory, hallucinations. Other effects can include, increased heart
rate, reddening of the eyes, and extreme sleepiness.
The effect of Cannabis on reproduction also appears pretty
conclusive. Marijuana reportedly lowers sperm production and
testosterone secretion.
According to several studies, pregnant women who continue to smoke
cannabis are at a greater risk of their children being born with
birth defects, of giving birth to low birth weight babies, and to
delivering prematurely.
Studies have shown an increased risk of certain cancers, such as
leukemia, in children whose mother's smoked cannabis while pregnant.
Other recent research suggests that exposure to cannabis in the womb
can affect the mental development of the child, later in life. At an
early age these children showed some, reduced verbal and memory
skills. By school age, the researchers noted, an increase in
impulsiveness and a decrease in attentiveness in children whose
mothers used cannabis heavily.
Another study conducted on breast-fed infants, (accessed from
moderate to heavy cannabis smoking mothers), found they were exposed
to marijuana via the mother's milk. Marijuana exposure via the
mother's milk during the first month after birth appeared to be
associated with a decrease in infant motor development.
While I'm sure their are many other stories and studies on the web
that will dispute the ones represented here, I can only say, why
take a chance on something so important.
*********************************************************************
Cris Mark is a writer, and author of Making Babies At 40+. Visit her
site Mid Life Mom's to look at the many issues concerning the
health, wealth, and needs of the mature mom.
Your feedback and stories are always welcome.
Discussion board, link exchange, and our free newsletter can be
found at http://www.midlifemom.com
Copyright@2...
|
|
|
