The use of CBD oil has been all the rage in recent years, thanks to its treatment and relief from a number of ailments including stress and pain. From lotions to beauty treatments, CBD therapeutic products are popping up everywhere. So it’s no surprise that pregnant mamas might reach for a CBD salve to help alleviate any of their uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms, like anxiety, nausea and sore feet.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid in the family of cannabinoids that can be found in marijuana.  Unlike THC — which is marijuana’s most active ingredient that leaves you feeling high — CBD is touted for its medicinal usage without leaving you feeling buzzed. “It is the sister that stays home and cleans the house, while the THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid, is the life of the party,” Dr. Mary Clifton, M.D., an NYC-based CBD and Cannabis expert, tells SheKnows.

Why Pregnant Women Might Want to Try it

“While there are pharmaceutical treatments for all these ailments, many health-conscious women want to use more natural treatments wherever possible. As a plant-based supplement, an increasing number of pregnant women are interested in CBD products,” Dr. Cheryl Bugailiskis, Cannabis Specialist at Heally, tells SheKnows.

The reasons are valid.

Clinical research has shown that CBD has demonstrated to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as insomnia.

However, says Bugailiskis, the use of CBD during pregnancy remains “controversial.”

Why it’s controversial

“The FDA released a warning in October 2019 cautioning against the use of cannabis products, including CBD, while pregnant,” says Bugailiskis. “While CBD research remains limited at this time, some animal studies have shown impairment of fetuses when CBD was used. Lack of regulation of CBD products is also a concern – while reputable providers offer quality products, less scrupulous ones have been found to sell products contaminated with harmful chemicals.”

According to Dr. Sarah Melancon, Ph.D, a sociologist and clinical sexologist, who has done extensive research on CBD, sexuality and pregnancy, CBD increases the signaling of the cannabinoid anandamide (AEA), and, as a result, has a dose-dependent effect on aspects related to reproduction, “which is cause for concern,” she says. Melancon says high levels of AEA are associated with miscarriage in humans, particularly in the first trimester. “On the other hand, low levels of AEA help with implantation and placenta development,” she says. “AEA levels stay low during pregnancy, rising during the third trimester of pregnancy 2-4x and are connected with labor onset.” According to Melancon women with preterm labor/birth have higher levels of AEA, and even among premature births, “those with the highest levels of AEA delivered fastest.”

Since CBD can elevate AEA levels, Melancon says using CBD during pregnancy has the potential to cause miscarriage in the first trimester, as well as increased risk of preterm labor and birth.

“This is especially concerning, because many women may be using CBD before they know they are pregnant, which may be contributing to miscarriages,” she says. “More research is needed, but at present a better-safe-than-sorry approach is warranted.”

Studies that are available regarding CBD and pregnancy include women who have chosen to use cannabis during their pregnancies. These studies “support that the use of cannabinoids result in intrauterine growth retardation  — stunting the growth of the unborn baby,” says Clifton.

“At this point, studies suggest that there is not only risk to the growth to the fetus in general, but also that early exposure to cannabinoids may impact the developing brain,” she says. “Pregnant women should avoid the use of cannabinoid formulations.” While the research on CBD has remained limited, according to Clifton, the studies done “are consistent that the growth of the baby is affected.”

What can pregnant women use instead?

“There are a number of things that stimulate and balance the tone of encodcannabinoid system (ECS),” says Clifton. “Pinene, for example, from pine trees or more commonly pine nuts or basil, is excellent for the ECS. Limonene from lemons and other citrus is also delicious and helpful.  Beta Caryophyllene and the extracts from black pepper support the tone of the ECS marvelously.” She recommends talking with your essential oils expert — as well as those at Boomer Natural Wellness — since they carry products “that support ECS tone without exposure to cannabinoids.”

Looking for something completely natural and safe? Bugailiski says that “many women swear by ginger tea or candies to alleviate nausea. Some herbal teas and natural supplements can help with insomnia, and therapy is always an excellent option for dealing with depression or anxiety.”

A version of this story was published March 2020.

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Vaping is one of the most preferred ways to consume CBD. However, if you’re a beginner, there will be a tendency to commit one or a few of these CBD Vaping mistakes. Watch this video to have a better idea of how to vape CBD in the proper way.

What is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the active compounds in hemp and marijuana. It is known for its ability to relieve pain and induce sleep, among many other things we’re going to discuss in this overview. You can consume CBD as an oil, vapor, pill, or edible. CBD oil is a pure extraction of this compound from the marijuana or hemp plant itself.

What are the benefits of CBD?

CBD oil can be ingested in order to manage pain to get surprisingly effective results. Chronic back pain, broken bones, headaches, and menstrual cramps all can be managed with CBD, along with plenty of other physical ailments. This is exactly what Active Relief (save 20% off with the code “FIRST100” ) strives to accomplish with their CBD lineup. In addition to the benefits above, CBD is a notoriously effective sleep aid as well, helping the anxious and insomniacs alike. Many people also report that CBD has significantly helped them with chronic depression and anxiety. In addition, CBD has been used by various rehabs and at home as a way of breaking addictions and coping with withdrawals. This easy to use, fast-acting oil can help with a wide variety of physical and mental ailments.

How is it extracted?

CBD extraction isn’t as simple as pressing rosin or wax, since the CBD must be separated from the THC in order to make CBD Oil. A popular operation in the field is to compress CO2 into a liquid form and combine it with the raw bud in something called a closed-loop extractor. In this process the CO2 strips away Cannabinoids which can be accessed when the CO2 is depressurized, leaving only the extract. This method is popular among dispensaries because it can process a huge amount of biomass with every extraction. Butane or propane can be used in a similar way with a greatly reduced cost, though this process requires more careful heating or cooling in order to separate the extract, and this can lead to chemical impurities if done improperly.

Why use CBD Oil?

CBD oil is the most pure, potent form of CBD. This means that it is effective and easy to dose, so you don’t have to worry about the variability that comes with an edible or cream. You only need one or two drops of CBD oil in order to benefit from its effects. CBD is a natural and non-addictive solution to pain, sleep, and recovery, and CBD oil is fast and easy, activating in the bloodstream rapidly after being dropped under the tongue. Lots of consumers prefer the oil as well because it gives them the option to add it to different drinks or foods, thus they are not limited to whatever edibles are available at their dispensary. In addition, CBD has much more relaxed laws surrounding it in most countries than THC does, so oil is a great solution for people who want the medical benefits but don’t have access to legal marijuana.

Patients who need the pain-relieving effects of marijuana throughout the day but want to avoid being high all the time find CBD to be a very convenient, middle-ground solution. It is not always a problem solver, but its ability to help with managing mental and physical problems that are otherwise overwhelming is undeniably impressive, and when you buy CBD oil you have plenty of options for how you use it.