Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use delta(sup 1)-Tetrahydrocannabinol? Is delta(sup 1)-Tetrahydrocannabinol safe for nursing mother and child? Does delta(sup 1)-Tetrahydrocannabinol extracts into breast milk? Does delta(sup 1)-Tetrahydrocannabinol has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can delta(sup 1)-Tetrahydrocannabinol influence milk supply or can delta(sup 1)-Tetrahydrocannabinol decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Answer by DrLact: About delta(sup 1)-Tetrahydrocannabinol usage in lactation

delta(sup 1)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (tetrahydrocannabinol; THC) is a major active component of cannabis. delta(sup 1)-Tetrahydrocannabinol has not been studied in nursing women taking the pharmaceutical product, but data from cannabis smokers indicate that it is likely excreted into breastmilk and found in the urine of breastfed infants.[1] Concern has been expressed regarding the possible effects of cannabis on neurotransmitters, nervous system development and endocannabinoid-related functions.[1][2] One long-term study found that daily or near daily use might retard the breastfed infant's motor development, but not growth or intellectual development.[3] This and another study[4] found that occasional maternal cannabis use during breastfeeding did not have any discernable effects on breastfed infants, but the studies were inadequate to rule out all long-term harm. Although cannabis can affect serum prolactin variably, it appears not to adversely affect the duration of lactation. Because there is no published experience with delta(sup 1)-Tetrahydrocannabinol use as an antiemetic during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Alternate Drugs

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