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The Straight Story

(48,121 posts) Thu Jan 30, 2014, 08:00 AM Jan 2014

Pregnant pot smokers can damage kids' brains [View all]

Pregnant pot smokers can damage kids' brains

An expectant mother's use of cannabis during pregnancy can prevent a child from forming certain connections in the brain while growing in the womb, a Sweden-based researcher has revealed.

"Cannabis is particularly powerful to derail how nerve cells form connections, potentially limiting the amount of information the affected brain can process," a statement from Sweden's Karolinska institute said this week.

The Institute's Professor Tibor Harkany was part of a global team of scientists looking into what effects consuming cannabis during pregnancy had on the unborn child.

"An increasing number of children suffer from the consequences of maternal drug exposure during pregnancy, and cannabis is one of the most frequently used substances," the statement read.

http://www.thelocal.se/20140130/cannabis-use-in-pregnancy-impairs-childs-brain

174 replies

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Pregnant pot smokers can damage kids' brains [View all] The Straight Story Jan 2014 OP

I'm not so sure I buy that madokie Jan 2014 #1

I agree. Th1onein Jan 2014 #2

Good God. Putting smoke in your lungs for any reason while pregnant has consequences. randome Jan 2014 #7

As does drinking iced tea with sugar... LanternWaste Jan 2014 #68

The FUD merchants are losing the battle on DU Rex Jan 2014 #94

So does sugar....should we stop mothers from eating sugar too? VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #129

What if you vape, or do edibles or Bennyboy Jan 2014 #145

The notion of chemicals introduced to a developing fetus causing an effect is unbeleivable, no? Scootaloo Jan 2014 #12

Not at all Fumesucker Jan 2014 #18

mutated sperm and man tits reddread Jan 2014 #35

There was this.. Fumesucker Jan 2014 #38

CIA stash reddread Jan 2014 #58

Oh, is that my brain? defacto7 Jan 2014 #134

men that smoke marijuana are unable to produce male offspring.. frylock Jan 2014 #90

don't forget insanity and perversion! VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #130

I voted for the WA law and I think this is exactly the RIGHT time to remind people pnwmom Jan 2014 #159

the last thing I read on this subject said 2pooped2pop Jan 2014 #50

No pregnant woman should take ANY drug that isn't medically necessary. pnwmom Jan 2014 #158

And drinking too much alcohol while pregnant is harmful too.... Adrahil Jan 2014 #3

This is no surprise, and it is more than just alcohol. A lot of over the counter meds are harmful lostincalifornia Jan 2014 #5

Absolutely. This "it's bad for you" argument is ridiculous. Adrahil Jan 2014 #9

we are definitely on the same page, and I won't mess my lungs up either. lostincalifornia Jan 2014 #83

As is cleaning a cat's litterbox IF that kitty carries the tblue37 Jan 2014 #36

Yes...lets ban all cats in pregnant women's homes! VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #131

My point is not that cats should be banned in pregnant women's homes, but that tblue37 Jan 2014 #140

I know....totally agree! VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #141

Yep, so true. One can drink their brains out, but pot, and you RKP5637 Jan 2014 #52

There is a warning for pregnant women not to drink alcohol. former9thward Jan 2014 #70

But, strangely, the drug warriors are silent on studies that show no harm RainDog Jan 2014 #71

How many studies have there been with pregnant women and childhood development? former9thward Jan 2014 #72

how many studies have there been with pregnant women that used marijuana EXCLUSIVELY.. frylock Jan 2014 #92

I've linked to a major series of studies here RainDog Jan 2014 #101

I voted for legalization but I support strongly informing people about possible risks. pnwmom Jan 2014 #160

Exactly etherealtruth Jan 2014 #163

BS B Calm Jan 2014 #4

Probably the same sort of clowns Turbineguy Jan 2014 #6

There is still room for doubt in his research: DetlefK Jan 2014 #8

See my links down thread. morningfog Jan 2014 #16

Most human biological studies are done with mice. former9thward Jan 2014 #73

I'm attacking science??? DetlefK Jan 2014 #157

Ok, since according to you scientists don't know what they are doing. former9thward Jan 2014 #166

You won't like my proposals. DetlefK Feb 2014 #167

Sure it's possible, just not proven madville Jan 2014 #10

So fucking what? theaocp Jan 2014 #11

Exactly. I'm not a pot smoker PotatoChip Jan 2014 #13

Thanks for the support theaocp Jan 2014 #14

Some very important points from the study: morningfog Jan 2014 #15

another issue RainDog Jan 2014 #62

So can alcohol. LWolf Jan 2014 #17

And it is even more nuanced than that. morningfog Jan 2014 #20

As with most things that LWolf Jan 2014 #25

There are plenty of things that are fine except if you're pregnant gollygee Jan 2014 #19

Yep, agree. If I were pregnant, I would be careful of what I consumed, etc., just to RKP5637 Jan 2014 #56

Doing drugs when you're pregnant is a bad idea? Iggo Jan 2014 #21

Coffee Renew Deal Jan 2014 #29

58,000 woot! Iggo Jan 2014 #39

Thanks! Renew Deal Jan 2014 #40

That headline is evidence of brain damage. JackRiddler Jan 2014 #22

My ex smoked pot during pregnancy to help with her constant morning sickness panader0 Jan 2014 #23

sample size 2 Shivering Jemmy Jan 2014 #26

Sample size of study: Zero. JackRiddler Jan 2014 #41

And ignoring science makes it different? randome Jan 2014 #55

do you have anything to say about the Jamaican studies? RainDog Jan 2014 #60

You could include a link. randome Jan 2014 #63

I already included a link in this thread RainDog Jan 2014 #69

So you're going to trust the study that supports your bias. randome Jan 2014 #74

I link to more studies, and more longitudinal studies RainDog Jan 2014 #93

Actually, randome wants to believe nothing... JackRiddler Jan 2014 #148

Are you under the impression the mice smoked? The study is about THC ingestion Bluenorthwest Jan 2014 #85

The headline does not match the study. randome Jan 2014 #89

Which demonstrates this story in the media is propaganda RainDog Jan 2014 #97

This is a foolish non-sequitur. JackRiddler Jan 2014 #112

propaganda damages brains reddread Jan 2014 #24

hear, hear!! ailsagirl Jan 2014 #91

So we add cannabis to the list of OTC and prescription drugs randr Jan 2014 #27

What is it about marijuana that makes it impossible for certain people to consider it has harmful Renew Deal Jan 2014 #28

People are not rational when it comes to drugs. randome Jan 2014 #30

Legalize it and make vaping and edibles the norm. Problem solved. tridim Jan 2014 #31

No problems here. randome Jan 2014 #32

It'll become more normal as prices plummet tridim Jan 2014 #33

The list of harmful effects of cannabis is a remarkably long one Fumesucker Jan 2014 #37

Hey, pregnant women shouldn't smoke pot. JackRiddler Jan 2014 #43

What if it was prescribed by an MD for morning sickness? Fumesucker Jan 2014 #47

A complaint should be filed the state medical board if a MD did that. former9thward Jan 2014 #75

science based fact that marijuana reduces nausea? There is some question of that? VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #77

Does that overrule harm to the fetus? former9thward Jan 2014 #79

but you didn't say that....you said science based evidence... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #80

The whole OP is about a scientific study. former9thward Jan 2014 #104

ONE study..... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #109

A science based study vs.... former9thward Jan 2014 #110

Yeah...they are their own peers are they not? VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #111

Now you go into a full faced attack on science. former9thward Jan 2014 #114

some psuedo-science deserves it does it not? VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #116

I do agree with you there. former9thward Jan 2014 #123

well you can be allergic to cigarette smoke...and allergies effect the entire body VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #125

I think I will leave it at that. former9thward Jan 2014 #126

On the patio is a good thing.... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #128

Maybe it will be in some cases. JackRiddler Jan 2014 #113

best answer of the day mitchtv Jan 2014 #86

+1 liberal_at_heart Feb 2014 #169

What it is - is the history of bad science regarding cannabis research RainDog Jan 2014 #59

Indeed. We've been fed so many lies for such a long time. Mariana Jan 2014 #84

No valid scientist withholds his research from scrutiny n/t RainDog Jan 2014 #105

I've been seeing that too loyalsister Jan 2014 #81

A person with a compulsive or addictive personality RainDog Jan 2014 #119

Pot is as close as DU has to a sacred cow Union Scribe Jan 2014 #137

You have a spouse almost overdose on opiates and then turn their life around by using liberal_at_heart Feb 2014 #171

Weed is a sacred cow here ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jan 2014 #162

Particularly when they're smoking it Renew Deal Jan 2014 #164

"Pot cures every ill ... etherealtruth Jan 2014 #165

I'm from the generation that ran outside to look at the mushroom cloud. MindPilot Jan 2014 #34

LOL ohheckyeah Jan 2014 #64

Since 1950, the overall cancer incidence has increased by 44 percent Ohio4theWin Jan 2014 #87

Another candidate for The Journal of Irreproducible Results Fozzledick Jan 2014 #42

You mean this mind altering substance... Lost_Count Jan 2014 #44

You really think it does? B Calm Jan 2014 #45

Do you really think that marijuana... Lost_Count Jan 2014 #46

Everything you ingest or sense causes chemical reactions that influence perception. nt tridim Jan 2014 #49

No, Cannabis doesn't "alter your brain", it binds to specific Cannabinoid receptors... tridim Jan 2014 #48

In general, binding to neuron receptors CAN change the brain. Look up... yawnmaster Jan 2014 #132

So can looking at at gorgeous landscape, or smelling fresh baked apple pie. tridim Jan 2014 #133

You claimed it doesn't. I claimed it is possible based on accepted research... yawnmaster Jan 2014 #135

This is the theory behind cannabis' use as treatment for alzheimer's RainDog Jan 2014 #138

Nice work...thanks! I did see that canabinoids may be used by the brain to help forget... yawnmaster Jan 2014 #149

yeah. RainDog Jan 2014 #151

Pregnant women should be careful. However, a study with humans, not mice RainDog Jan 2014 #51

When I was practicing in Juvenile Court we followed this subject pretty closely. Shrike47 Jan 2014 #53

I'm a person who doesn't think a pregnant woman should smoke or drink during pregnancy. But. Lint Head Jan 2014 #54

No doubt the drug warriors will try to run with this RainDog Jan 2014 #57

Huh, My friends kids lucked out I guess DiverDave Jan 2014 #61

It probably fucks kids up more to throw their parents in jail for weed. The Midway Rebel Jan 2014 #65

There is no such thing as a 100% safe substance. Drink too much water, breathe too much air stevenleser Jan 2014 #66

I am a zealot...over air. Rex Jan 2014 #102

I'm not. I am interested in good quality air, just the amount I need. Not this kind... stevenleser Jan 2014 #147

and sperm gets damaged from drinking, pot and all that, causing birth defects- so what do we do? bettyellen Jan 2014 #67

Its punishing moms to warn them about cannibus use during pregnancy? former9thward Jan 2014 #76

there has been an uptick in cases where women are incarcerated for crap like this- instead of helped bettyellen Jan 2014 #82

Actually no. former9thward Jan 2014 #107

Actually YES. "Fetal Protection Laws" Look em up, and find out how hundreds of women.... bettyellen Jan 2014 #142

ban paper towels, kleenex and condoms n/t reddread Jan 2014 #103

I don't believe this Politicalboi Jan 2014 #78

It what way does your experience disprove the study? Ohio4theWin Jan 2014 #88

I can remember way back when ailsagirl Jan 2014 #95

Yes. Thalidomide caused fetal damage RainDog Jan 2014 #100

I don't think Thalidomide was prescribed in the US-- not for morning sickness, anyway ailsagirl Jan 2014 #106

LSD was put into the same category as Thalidomide RainDog Jan 2014 #108

Got it ailsagirl Jan 2014 #144

Wow, all this FUD over Colorado legalizing weed! Rex Jan 2014 #96

We can expect to see more of this RainDog Jan 2014 #98

I agree, expect it to get much worse as the stories get even more exaggerated. Rex Jan 2014 #99

Yup ... 1000words Jan 2014 #115

You...smoke...weed... Rex Jan 2014 #118

You're freakin' me out, man! 1000words Jan 2014 #120

Sorry, here puff puff pass... Rex Jan 2014 #121

The anti-pot crowd are in a panic. The movement to legalize weed is now unstoppable and ChisolmTrailDem Jan 2014 #122

Lots of idiotic comments in this thread. Xithras Jan 2014 #117

But the experiment has nothing to say about cannabis use RainDog Jan 2014 #124

Bullshit!! bravenak Jan 2014 #127

There is a huge list of things that are bad defacto7 Jan 2014 #136

More "no civil rights for pregnant women" rubbish Warpy Jan 2014 #139

THANK YOU! bettyellen Jan 2014 #143

This poster seems obsessed with presenting every piece of reich-wing trash they can find. Egalitarian Thug Feb 2014 #170

I've always enjoyed smoking pot. OnionPatch Jan 2014 #146

Smoking while pregnant womanofthehills Jan 2014 #152

I was worried about everything that went into my body at that time. OnionPatch Jan 2014 #155

Doesn't surprise me Separation Jan 2014 #150

I think that until more research has been done OwnedByCats Jan 2014 #153

It would seem likely that a lot of fetuses have been exposed to pot, nicotine, alcohol,and who knows dogman Jan 2014 #154

Didn't the "crack baby" epidemic turn out to be bullshit? Hippo_Tron Jan 2014 #156

No, no, no! That was reported 24/7 by our diligent media pre-deregulation. reddread Jan 2014 #161

More non-scientific bullshit mashed up to justify authoritarian control displayed Egalitarian Thug Feb 2014 #168

Apparently they don't know about the "Jamaican Study"? fredamae Feb 2014 #172

There is no study! TheSarcastinator Feb 2014 #173

here RainDog Feb 2014 #174