A recent series of studies suggests that exposure to a combination of marijuana and alcohol during pregnancy may increase the likelihood of risky behavior in children later in life. These studies, conducted on zebrafish embryos, found that juvenile fish exposed to both substances exhibited riskier behavior compared to those exposed to only one substance. As zebrafish are widely considered models for human biology, these findings may be applicable to humans as well.
In one study published in the journal Birth Defects Research, researchers investigated the effects of cannabis and alcohol on brain development in prenatal rat models. They discovered that the combination of cannabis and alcohol caused more disruption in brain development compared to when each substance was taken separately.
The use of cannabis among pregnant women is increasing in the United States. In light of these findings, the authors of these studies are urging healthcare providers to consider prenatal cannabis use as they would prenatal alcohol use and inform expectant mothers about the potential risks involved.
One researcher involved in the zebrafish study, Gregory Cole from North Carolina Central University, explained that even low amounts of either cannabis or alcohol alone did not affect behavior in the fish. However, when these substances were combined at low doses, they observed a significant impact on zebrafish behavior. The fish exposed to cannabis or alcohol swam towards the top of their tank sooner than those not exposed, indicating increased risk-taking behavior and decreased anxiety.
Cole and his team believe that this risky behavior observed in zebrafish is akin to symptoms seen in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a condition caused by consuming alcohol during pregnancy. FASD can lead to learning difficulties, cranial structural changes, and risky behavior in affected individuals. The researchers noted similarities between the cranial-facial dysmorphology observed in fish and severe FASD cases in humans.
Considering that the risk of FASD appears to increase when cannabis is consumed alongside alcohol, Cole and his colleagues recommend healthcare professionals to be aware of this association and advise pregnant patients accordingly. They emphasize that if cannabis has a similar effect to alcohol, it is prudent to advise pregnant women to avoid cannabis use during pregnancy to reduce the risk of neurological and behavioral disorders in their children.
It is important to acknowledge the limitations of these studies. While zebrafish are valuable models for investigating neurodevelopmental disorders and gene-directed behavior, they are not a perfect representation of human models. The extrapolation of findings from zebrafish to humans may not be straightforward. Additionally, due to the legal status of marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug in the US, research involving human subjects has been hindered. However, Cole and his colleagues are collaborating with researchers conducting similar studies in mice and hope to expand their research to include human subjects in the future.
In conclusion, these studies highlight the potential risks associated with prenatal exposure to a combination of marijuana and alcohol. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms involved and determine appropriate guidelines for pregnant women. Healthcare providers should consider these findings when advising expectant mothers and promote awareness about the potential consequences of prenatal substance use.
