In a recent study, it was found that breastfeeding mothers who used cannabis had traces of its psychoactive component THC in their breast milk. Unlike alcohol, the concentration of THC in the milk did not follow a consistent pattern of peaking and declining. The researchers noted that the levels of THC detected in the milk were relatively low, estimating that infants received an average of 0.07 mg of THC per day. To put this into perspective, a common low-dose edible contains 2 mg of THC. The researchers emphasized that it is unclear whether this amount has any impact on the infant.
When breastfeeding mothers in a recent study used cannabis, the psychoactive element THC appeared in the milk they produced. A study led by Washington State University revealed that, unlike alcohol, there was no consistent peak or decline in THC concentration when detected in milk.
The researchers noted that the amount of THC found in milk was minimal, estimating that infants received an average of 0.07 mg of THC per day. For comparison, a common low-dose edible contains 2 mg of THC. The research team emphasized that it’s unclear whether this amount poses any risk to infants.It has an impact on the baby.”
“Breastfeeding mothers should be aware that if they use cannabis, their babies may be consuming cannabinoids through the milk they produce, and we are unsure of any potential effects on the developing baby,” stated Courtney Meehan, a WSU biological anthropologist who led the project and is the study’s corresponding author.
As previous studies have indicated that cannabis is one of the most commonly used drugs during breastfeeding, the researchers sought to determine the duration of cannabinoids, such as THC, present in breastmilk.
For this study, published in the journal Breastfeeding Medicine,</eThe researchers examined milk from 20 breastfeeding mothers who used cannabis. All of the participants had infants under six months old and provided detailed reports on their cannabis use. They collected milk after not using cannabis for at least 12 hours and then at regular intervals after using it. This was all done in their own homes, at their own chosen time, and with cannabis they bought themselves.
The researchers then tested the milk for cannabinoids and found that the milk always contained detectable amounts of THC, even after the mothers had abstained for 12 hours.ilk contains lipids, and cannabinoids are lipophilic, which means they can dissolve in these lipids. According to Meehan, this could result in cannabinoids such as THC accumulating in milk, and potentially being ingested by infants who consume it. The study also found that individuals had varying peak THC levels in their milk. For those who used cannabis once during the study, cannabinoids peaked approximately 30 minutes to 2.5 hours after use and then began to decrease. However, for those who used cannabis multiple times during the study, most experienced a continuous increase in THC concentrations over time.
Throughout the day.
“The variation was significant. If you are attempting to avoid breastfeeding during the time when THC levels are highest, you will not be able to determine when THC is at its peak in the milk,” stated primary author Elizabeth Holdsworth, who participated in this research while serving as a post-doctoral researcher at WSU and is currently a member of the faculty at The Ohio State University.
A corresponding qualitative study conducted by the research team uncovered that many breastfeeding mothers are using cannabis for therapeutic purposes — to address anxiety, other mental health issues, or chronic pain. The mothers frequently opted for cannabis rather than other medications because they believed it to be safer.
“Ou rnrnThe findings of our study indicate that mothers who use cannabis are making thoughtful decisions,” stated Shelley McGuire, a professor at the University of Idaho who specializes in maternal-infant nutrition and co-authored the study. “These women were deliberate in their choices. This is not a casual lifestyle decision.”
Although in most instances, the women were using cannabis as an alternative treatment for various conditions, McGuire noted that there is currently no evidence to determine whether it is safer or more harmful. In fact, there is limited knowledge regarding the potential impact of many commonly used medications on breastfeeding infants, primarily due to the lack of research on women, especially those who are breastfeeding.
Women who are breastfeeding, particularly those who use cannabis, have historically been excluded from clinical trials on medications.
“This is an area that needs substantial, rigorous research for moms to know what’s best,” McGuire said.
While some research has been conducted on alcohol, with guidelines for new mothers to wait at least two hours after consuming alcohol before breastfeeding, there is no similar guidance for cannabis, which has been growing in popularity.
The collaborative research team is currently working to address some of that knowledge gap with further research on cannabis use in breastfeeding mothers, the holistic composition of the milk they produce, and its effects on i.Infant development.
This research was funded by the state of Washington Initiative Measures 171 and 502, as well as the WSU Health Equity Research Center.
