Maternal exposure to cannabis raises diabetes risk in children: Study

Children born to pregnant women who consume cannabis for various reasons including alleviating nausea body aches and anxiety are likely to have an increased risk of developing diabetes finds a study in animal modelsWhile existing clinical data points to negative effects like foetal growth restriction and abnormal blood sugar levels in children born to mothers who used cannabis the impact of the nonpsychoactive compound of cannabis cannabidiol commonly known as CBD on metabolic outcomes of the offspring remains less understoodThe new study in animal models showed that even moderate exposure to CBD during pregnancy is linked to postbirth glucose intolerance specifically in male offspring This is a critical finding given that CBD unlike cannabis psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is widely marketed and perceived to be a safer option by so many said Daniel B Hardy Associate Professor in the departments of obstetrics and gynaecology at University of Western Ontario in CanadaWhile it is THC that leads to the high effect cannabis users experience CBD is the primary nonpsychoactive compound in cannabis and is also medicinally used for the treatment of certain forms of epilepsy schizophrenia and depressionOur study shows that exposure to CBD alone during pregnancy can be detrimental to the metabolic health of the offspring later in life leading to glucose intolerance This is a major risk factor for diabetes said HardyThe study published in the Journal of Endocrinology shows that while CBD exposure did not lead to adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes in the rodent model by three months of age male offspring exposed to CBD during gestation exhibited glucose intoleranceWith the latest study we now know that gestational exposure to either cannabinoid THC and CBD can lead to glucose intolerance in the offspringHowever THC exposure impacts the glucose tolerance of female offspring while CBD exposure impacts the male offspring said Sebastian R Vanin doctoral candidate at the varsityThe male offspring that were exposed to CBD exhibited changes in their genes that control body clocks particularly the circadian rhythm clockThis can adversely impact how our bodies regulate sugar or glucoseMales also exhibited changes in how their livers develop and function which suggests that being exposed to CBD while in the womb could harm liver development and health throughout the course of lifeThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever