Smoking cannabis during pregnancy is a highly debated topic that has seen a surge in recent years. While some people believe that cannabis can offer potential benefits for pregnant women, most medical practitioners advise against it due to the potential risks posed to fetal development. Previous studies have found that smoking or ingesting marijuana while pregnant can lead to decreased birth weight, premature birth, and could even lead to long-term development issues for the child.
Now, researchers at Western University have discovered that prenatal exposure to THC, the main psychoactive component of marijuana, can have significant and enduring effects on learning and memory in rats. The study aimed to uncover the impact of marijuana on unborn babies and found that rats exposed to THC in the womb exhibited differences in their learning abilities, social behavior, and memory compared to non-exposed rats.
According to Mohammed H. Sarikahya, the head author and member of the addiction research group at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, “Our research shows that prenatal THC exposure can lead to serious cognitive and memory deficits that are sex-dependent, enduring and potentially lifelong.”
Although the study was conducted on rats and not humans, co-author Steven Laviolette, a professor at Schulich, states that it provides important insights into how prenatal cannabis exposure affects the brains of offspring in mammals. Laviolette adds, “The take-home message is that even though cannabis is legal and derived from a natural plant, there is still much we don’t know about its impact on the fetal brain and the potential long-term consequences. It’s worth thinking twice.”
In the study, pregnant rats were exposed to a moderate amount of THC, avoiding high doses that could have toxic effects on the rat fetuses. After birth, the THC-exposed rats were monitored and tested throughout their lives. The study found that these rats exhibited differences in social interaction, object recognition, and their willingness to explore new environments. Emotion-measuring tests also showed signs of mood disturbances such as anxiety and depression.
Both male and female rats exposed to THC in utero displayed impairments in thinking and behavior, with males also showing more emotional disturbances. The researchers discovered reduced levels of fatty acids in key areas of the exposed rats’ brains, which are essential for brain structure and function.
Western researchers are now focusing on potential interventions to mitigate the brain impacts of prenatal THC exposure in rats. They plan to investigate dietary interventions targeting fatty acid pathways to reverse some of the negative effects observed. Previous studies have shown promising results with similar interventions in rats exposed to THC during adolescence.
The study conducted by Western University researchers has been published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
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