From nausea, cramping, high stress, to vomiting, several factors make pregnancy a difficult experience to many. With these, it is not surprising that many mothers are turning to CBD in managing the symptoms that come with pregnancy.
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the many different compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its cousin tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis, CBD does not generate a mind-altering “high” sensation when smoked or consumed.
Ever since its first introduction in the market, many therapeutic benefits have already been linked with cannabidiol, including anti-inflammatory properties and natural pain relief.
How does CBD work?
All humans have what we call as the endocannabinoid system, a complex network of cell receptors and neurotransmitters responsible in regulating homeostasis, or your body’s way of keeping your internal environment stable. Whenever something happens in our body that is off the right range, the endocannabinoid system releases natural cannabis-like substances (endocannabinoids) to restore the balance in your body.
Since the chemical structure of CBD closely resembles the endocannabinoids, it interacts with the system by stimulating it to produce more natural cannabis-like molecules, as well as slowing down their breakdown process by occupying certain enzymes.
How CBD Affects Pregnancy
By interacting with a person’s endocannabinoid system, CBD is believed to produce many therapeutic effects for pregnant women. Among these benefits include:
- Relief from Muscle Pain
Muscle pain is one of the most common symptoms associated with pregnancy. Given CBD’s ability to mitigate pain, inflammation, and overall discomfort by interacting with brain receptors and the immune system, many women turn to CBD-based products to help manage the pain induced by pregnancy hormones.
- Morning Sickness Management
Various animal studies have already proven CBD’s ability to reduce queasiness and vomiting. This makes CBD a potential treatment candidate for anyone going through feelings of drowsiness, exhaustion, and nausea brought by morning sickness.
- Reduces Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression, a mood disorder affecting women days and weeks after giving birth, is one of the most difficult things that usually come with pregnancy. CBD may help mitigate some of its symptoms by interacting with serotonin receptors in the brain, which help enhance a person’s emotional state and feelings of well-being.
Although the study concerning CBD and pregnancy is still yet to be expanded, the truth that CBD has shown certain promises in initial studies serve as a first step in understanding what binds the two.
