What, if any, are the impacts on infants if a pregnant person regularly uses marijuana during pregnancy? Researchers at the University of Washington are working to find out.
Use of the cannabis plant, both psychoactive and non-psychactive elements, has increased among pregnant and general populations.
“There is still limited, and often conflicting scientific data available to help future parents understand the risks and benefits associated with using cannabis while pregnant,” says a call for study participants by UW scientists conducting the Cannabis Use and Brain Development Study (CUBS).
According to Ryan Kang, a research assistant in the university’s Kleinhans Lab, CUBS researchers are currently recruiting pregnant people in and around Seattle to participate in the study. Specifically, they are recruiting pregnant people who:
- Are between ages of 21 and 45
- Do not use cannabis in pregnancy at all
- Or, do use it frequently during their pregnancy
“We are currently recruiting pregnant individuals who have already made the personal choice to use or not use cannabis during their first trimester,” the call for participants notes.
Study participants must be willing to complete six in-person visits at the University of Washington; one visit for each trimester of pregnancy. Those in the cannabis group will complete weekly surveys tracking their cannabis use. Once in the study, deciding not to use cannabis throughout pregnancy will not result in being removed from the study.
“You are free to stop, pause, or change your use at any time,” the CUBS recruitment FAQs stress.
After birth, participants must agree to visit the study lab three times with their child (around two weeks, at six months, and at 18 months old).
During the newborn visit, infants will undergo an MRI scan. Parents will receive the MRI images of their baby’s brain as well as developmental feedback reports from a licensed clinical psychologist. They will also receive $350 in compensation after all six visits.
The goal of the research is to help parents weigh the potential risks and benefits of cannabis use during a time of intense baby brain development.
“There is currently little well-controlled research on the potential effects of cannabis use during pregnancy, and our hope is to be able to provide communities with more information,” says Kang.
To learn more about the study, go to cubstudy.org. You may also email cubstudy@uw.edu or call the lab at (206) 616-7284
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