Using Marijuana During Pregnancy May Impair Baby's Memory

According to scientists, the use of cannabis during pregnancy may affect the memory of the fetus. So far, the research has only been applied in the laboratory with rats, but it is already causing some concern, as the number of female marijuana users has nearly doubled in the last 15 years.

Although there is a lot of research showing the benefits of using cannabis for treating diseases and their legalization is becoming more and more common in some countries, Auburn University in Alabama decided to investigate its use during pregnancy.

In research by scientists, psychoactive THC, given in cannabis, was given to pregnant rats. The finding is that the substance can cross the placental barrier and reach the memory of children. This has been proven in behavioral analyzes of puppies after birth.

The result?

Young mice more forgetful than mice not exposed to THC. According to the researchers, rats born to mothers who were given cannabis failed to perform as effectively as some tasks proposed for both groups.

Another finding was that marijuana targets a specific brain protein in puppies, causing it to appear in fewer quantities than in puppies whose mothers were not exposed to THC.

In conclusion, scientists say that using marijuana during pregnancy has lasting effects on learning and memory and can continue throughout adolescence.

However, the study's authors reiterate that the research is based on mice and that the same result may not be found in humans.