Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use delta9-THC? Is delta9-THC safe for nursing mother and child? Does delta9-THC extracts into breast milk? Does delta9-THC has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can delta9-THC influence milk supply or can delta9-THC decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Answer by DrLact: About delta9-THC usage in lactation

delta9-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol; THC) is a major active component of cannabis. delta9-THC 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 delta9-THC 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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