By Luke Sumpter Reviewed by: Carles Doménech

It can soothe the body and bring peace to the mind under normal circumstances, but could CBD be beneficial during pregnancy? Discover the challenges of pregnancy, how the cannabinoid might help, and if it’s safe to consume CBD while pregnant.

Pregnancy marks one of the most exciting times in some women's lives. Over a period of nine months, two souls inhabit one body. Couples rush around to purchase toys, decorate rooms, and await the arrival of a new member of the family.

But these are the positive sides of pregnancy. This physiological state also comes with a harsh set of challenges. Mothers have to endure a long list of common pregnancy symptoms and difficulties.


What Problems Do Women Face During Pregnancy?

If you’ve ever been pregnant or helped your partner through those turbulent nine months, you know exactly how tough things can get. While some mothers get away with minimal difficulties, others become inundated with anxiety, nausea, and sleep issues.

  • Anxiety

Pregnancy can take mothers on a roller coaster ride of emotions. One second, they may experience moments of joy, happiness, and optimism about the future. Next, they might become filled with distress. While some degree of worry is perfectly normal during pregnancy, some women develop anxiety that interferes with their daily life. The symptoms include:

Excessive worrying about the health of the baby Feeling irritable and agitated
Muscular tension Loss of concentration



Anxiety can arise from different sources during pregnancy, both internal and external. These include:

Previous trauma Excess stress from work or other sources
Family history of anxiety Hormonal changes

  • Nausea & Morning Sickness

Pregnant mothers almost always experience nausea during pregnancy. It mainly manifests as morning sickness. Despite the name, this type of sickness can occur at any time throughout the day. Morning sickness symptoms tend to set in around the 6th week of pregnancy and usually clear up between weeks 16–20.

Nausea and morning sickness can have a huge impact on quality of life, making even basic tasks difficult for pregnant mothers. However, feeling queasy during the first trimester might actually serve as a positive sign. Women that experience nausea during this time are at a statistically lower risk[1] of miscarriage.

But why do women start to feel sick during pregnancy at all? More than a mere cruel trick of the body, nausea signifies an important change in hormones that mediate in the creation of new life.  Women start to produce human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) just after the fertilised egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. Oestrogen levels also begin to increase. Elevated levels of both of these hormones are tied to sensations of nausea and morning sickness.

Is It Safe To Consume CBD While Pregnant?

  • Sleep

Sleep forms one of the pillars of health. Adequate sleep makes us feel rested, restored, and ready for action. However, things can take a turn when we miss even a few hours of necessary sleep. In the short term, we experience a drop in mood and cognitive function. In the long run, we increase our risk of developing neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.

On top of feelings of anxiety and nausea, sleep issues appear as yet another difficulty during pregnancy. The first and third trimesters are usually the worst in this regard. Women often have problems falling asleep or find themselves waking up several times during the night, which in turn forces them to nap during the day to fight off fatigue. Some of the main reasons for insomnia during pregnancy include:

Cramps Heartburn
Back pain Needing to urinate
Fetal movement



Luckily, there are a few natural approaches women can take to better the odds of improved sleep during pregnancy. These include:

Regular exercise Avoiding caffeine
Relaxation techniques Taking only short naps during the day



What Are the Solutions?

In the modern era, we’re lucky enough to have access to medicines and modalities for nearly every health complaint. Below are the current interventions for the conditions discussed above:

Anxiety

Cognitive behavioural therapy, massage, yoga, acupuncture, anti-anxiety medication

Sleep issues

Behavioural therapies, stimulus control, sleep medications

Nausea

Small but frequent meals, ginger supplements, acupressure, anti-sickness medicine

Some mothers-to-be experience great relief with these treatments, while others look elsewhere for alternative solutions.

Many women are now setting their sights on CBD as a means of reducing stomach discomfort, relaxing the mind, and aiding sleep. But how does CBD fare against these difficulties?

First, we’ll take a look at how CBD might help under normal circumstances. Then, we’ll see how pregnancy makes using CBD a bit more complicated.

How CBD Might Help Symptoms Under Normal Circumstances

Many ongoing studies are exploring the effects of CBD against common health complaints.

  • CBD and Anxiety

Ongoing human trials are probing CBD's effect on anxiety, and we can look to older research for clues. For example, a 2011 study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology tested CBD on patients with anxiety during a simulated public speaking event, examining how the cannabinoid impacted outcome measures[2] such as nervousness, cognitive impairment, and discomfort during speech.

A 2010 study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology decided to take a look at what happens in the brain after a person takes CBD[3]. They recruited patients with generalised anxiety disorder and monitored their brains using functional neuroimaging. The scientists found blood flow changes to the limbic and paralimbic areas—regions involved in emotion and behaviour.

A review published in 2015 in the journal Neurotherapeutics also took a look at the available data concerning CBD and anxiety[4]. The authors analised both preclinical studies and human trials, and stated the importance of future research to confirm these findings and draw up guidelines for dosing.

  • CBD and Sleep

What can CBD do for sleep under normal conditions? Researchers are hoping to find out soon.

A large case series published in 2019 looked into the effects of CBD on both anxiety and sleep. Seventy-two adult patients were given 25mg of CBD daily, and their symptoms were documented monthly to determine if the cannabinoid helped to improve sleep.[5]

  • CBD and Morning Sickness

We can’t say outright whether or not CBD helps to relieve morning sickness. Due to obvious ethical problems inherent to pregnancy, researchers simply haven't performed these kinds of trials under this special condition. However, scientists are currently conducting research to explore CBD's potential to manage nausea. Such studies are applying the cannabinoid to mouse models to see if it could help to offset nausea and vomiting[6] associated with current cancer treatments.

Health Authorities Say No to CBD and Pregnancy—But Why?

Ongoing research looks quite promising for the main difficulties of pregnancy—but only when we remove pregnancy from the picture. Studies have evaluated the effects of CBD against anxiety, sleep issues, and nausea, but without the many variables that pregnancy brings.

Not only does pregnancy bring big biochemical changes to the table, but it also introduces unborn life into the equation. So far, the lack of research has led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States to strongly advise against the use of CBD[7] during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

The FDA based their statement on a lack of research studying the effects of CBD on developing foetuses and pregnant mothers. They also cite animal research that points to high doses of CBD causing problems in the reproductive systems of developing male foetuses.

Additionally, not all CBD products are lab-tested and regulated. While reputable companies offer high-quality and trustworthy products, some CBD oils and extracts could contain excess amounts of THC, pesticides, or heavy metals. Clearly, these products aren’t safe for pregnant mothers.

CBD also comes with some side effects of its own. Although the World Health Organisation states that the cannabinoid features a good safety profile[8], some people find they don’t tolerate CBD very well. The major side effects include:

Dry mouth Vomiting
Decreased appetite Weight loss
Drowsiness Diarrhoea



Research barriers and ethical considerations

Of course, some scientists are showing increasing interest in how CBD could affect pregnancy. Not only will this research identify any side effects, but it could open the doorway to effective treatments. But several barriers stand in the way of bright-eyed scientists breaking ground in this area.

First of all, there are major ethical considerations. Most clinical trials expose participants to an element of risk. During pregnancy, the risks to the mother and the foetus are deeply interconnected. Many substances can cross the placenta and potentially negatively impact the life inside the mother’s womb.

Then, there are the physiological complexities. High-quality clinical trials must control as many variables as possible to yield the most accurate and reliable results. Once researchers have worked through the labyrinth of bioethics, they must recruit a large sample size of consenting pregnant women, ideally with similar health statuses and at a similar stage in pregnancy.

The way the body processes drugs (binding, absorption, metabolism, excretion etc.) changes during pregnancy. The difficulties and symptoms of pregnancy also vary across trimesters. These factors make it important for researchers to recruit women who are undergoing the same symptoms at the same stage in pregnancy, ideally who are within a similar age range—a tricky task.

A certain stigma also exists around recruiting women for clinical trials, but some scientists want to change that. Some researchers believe that the vernacular fuels this, and they want to shift the view of pregnant women as a “vulnerable population” to a “scientifically complex” one.

For now, scientists are mostly limited to obtaining data from population studies. This kind of research relies on the self-reported use of cannabis and CBD from pregnant mothers. While they offer a look into possible effects and outcomes, these studies lack the rigorous controls of clinical research and any results are taken with a large grain of salt.

Can You Use CBD While Pregnant?

Can you smoke CBD while pregnant? What about eating CBD gummies? Is CBD cream safe during pregnancy? Pregnant mothers often have a lot of questions when it comes to CBD. Unfortunately, it’s far too early to give any clear-cut answers. Clearly, smoking anything while pregnant exposes the mother and baby to health risks. But what about CBD creams and edibles? While ongoing research points to their potential usefulness and low risk in the general population, we need to wait for more data to confirm the safety of CBD in as special a scenario as gestation.

At the end of the day, any expectant mothers interested in using CBD should talk to their doctor, as they will offer the most sound advice while supporting the health of both mother and child.

Medical DisclaimerInformation listed, referenced or linked to on this website is for general educational purposes only and does not provide professional medical or legal advice.

Royal Queen Seeds does not condone, advocate or promote licit or illicit drug use. Royal Queen Seeds Cannot be held responsible for material from references on our pages or on pages to which we provide links, which condone, advocate or promote licit or illicit drug use or illegal activities.

Please consult your Doctor/Health care Practitioner before using any products/methods listed, referenced or linked to on this website.

External Resources:
  1. Nausea during pregnancy: A good thing? - Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org
  2. Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naïve social phobia patients - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. SAGE Journals: Your gateway to world-class journal research https://journals.sagepub.com
  4. Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders https://www.thereliefdisc.com
  5. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  7. What You Should Know About Using Cannabis, Including CBD, When Pregnant or Breastfeeding | FDA https://www.fda.gov
  8. CANNABIDIOL (CBD) https://www.who.int
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: