Unveiling the hidden risks: Research will shed light on cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

In Canada, one in 20 women use cannabis during pregnancy. Although doctors advise against it, there is little data about the drug’s effects during pregnancy and on babies’ long-term health. McMaster scientist Sandeep Raha is working with mothers, health care workers and scientists to change that.

With $100,000 seed funding from Pediatrics’ Collaborative Research Excellence (CoRE) Builder Team grant, Raha and a team of experts will investigate what women and their doctors need to know about the impact of cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding to curb consumption, and better understand the drug’s effects on babies’ early development.

How did we get here?

Raha says the recent legalization of cannabis and a lack of scientific information about the drug can leave consumers confused or misinformed about its benefits and harmful effects. Some of these consumers are pregnant mothers or mothers who are breastfeeding.

He believes the research will create greater clarity and improve health outcomes for families.

Why study breastfeeding?

Experts agree that breastfeeding is beneficial to newborns’ nutrition and immunity. However, Raha says cannabis use during pregnancy may result in changes to a mother’s body that can alter milk production and nutrient composition, potentially affecting the baby’s long-term health.

By analyzing stored breastmilk samples from mothers who reported cannabis use and those who did not, Raha’s team will identify differences in elements such as antibodies, fats, proteins, or hormones to understand how cannabis use during pregnancy might affect the nutritional quality of breastmilk.

Empowering collaboration

The CoRE grant will support Raha’s two-year research study, during which he will collaborate with experts from four clinical divisions within the Department of Pediatrics. Together, the team specializes in patient-centred research, neonatal health, early human development, and the impact of cannabis on human health.

“We’ll be collaborating with pregnant moms and frontline health care workers in the community to identify what questions are important for these groups about cannabis and breastfeeding,” Raha said. “They’ll work with us to pinpoint the best strategies to disseminate this information.”