Is CBD safe for pregnancy?

The American Pregnancy Association advises against CBD use during pregnancy. There isn't enough research to confirm that cannabidiol (CBD) is safe for developing fetuses, and what we do know suggests caution.

CBD crosses the placental barrier, exposing your baby to cannabinoids during development. CBD won't get you high, but it still affects the systems that regulate fetal brain development, implantation, and placental function.

Many women turn to our broad-spectrum CBD gummies for anxiety relief, pain management, and sleep support. These products don’t contain THC and undergo third-party testing for purity. But during pregnancy, you should explore alternative approaches for managing these symptoms until more research is available.

What does current research say about CBD safety in pregnancy?

Research on CBD during pregnancy is still developing, with most studies focusing on cannabis as a whole rather than CBD specifically. CBD crosses the placental barrier and reaches the developing baby, where it interacts with their endocannabinoid system (ECS). This network of receptors regulates processes such as brain cell formation, neural connections, and organ development during pregnancy.

Since the endocannabinoid system plays roles in implantation, placental function, and fetal development, researchers are studying how CBD might influence these processes.

De Genna et al. (2024) found that CBD use during pregnancy was relatively low (6% of their sample). Their study highlighted that most research lumps all cannabis together rather than studying CBD separately, which leaves gaps in our understanding of CBD's specific effects on pregnancy.

Swenson and team conducted animal studies administering CBD to pregnant mice and observed developmental changes in offspring. Male offspring showed increased sensitivity to thermal pain, while female offspring demonstrated changes in problem-solving abilities and brain cell activity in the prefrontal cortex.

CBD isn't recommended during pregnancy for the same reason it's not suitable for children and teenagers. Developing brains are sensitive to substances that affect neural function, and pregnancy is when they are most vulnerable to disruption.

Is CBD safe if you're trying to get pregnant?

Research also provides some interesting insights about CBD and fertility.

Impact of CBD on women trying to conceive

A 2022 study indicates that CBD may influence reproductive hormones and menstrual cycles. Women using cannabis products, including CBD, showed different ovulation patterns compared to non-users. Some had more cycles without ovulation, which could affect the timing of conception.

Ritchie and team's animal studies suggest that CBD exposure during the conception period may influence implantation and early pregnancy development. The mice in their study showed changes in uterine function, though it's important to note these were animal studies using specific dosages.

How does CBD affect male partners?

Studies indicate that cannabis use, including CBD, may influence male reproductive health. Research has linked cannabis to changes in sperm quality, hormone levels, and reproductive function, though more research is needed to understand CBD's specific role.

What if you took CBD before you knew you were pregnant?

Many women use CBD regularly and don't realize they're pregnant right away. CBD leaves your system within about a week of stopping, but the first few weeks after conception are when your baby's major organs start forming, including the brain and spinal cord.

If you used CBD during those early weeks, it was present while these developments began. 

Here are some things you can do:

• Stop using CBD once you know or suspect you're pregnant. 
• Don't stress about what's already happened. Focus on making healthy choices from now on.
• Tell your healthcare provider about your CBD use. They can monitor your pregnancy and discuss whether additional tests make sense. 

We don't have evidence that early CBD use causes definitive harm in humans, but we also don't have proof it's safe. 

Is topical CBD safe while pregnant?

Topical CBD creams and lotions can absorb through your skin and enter your bloodstream, just in smaller amounts than if you swallowed it. But small amounts aren’t safe because CBD can still reach your baby through the placenta.

When you're not pregnant, oral products like nama's microdosed gummies with CBD and THC give you way more control over dosing than creams, where absorption depends on your skin, where you apply it, and how much you use. 

But during pregnancy and while trying to conceive, the advice stays the same: avoid CBD entirely.

Best nama CBD products for before pregnancy and after breastfeeding

When you're not pregnant or breastfeeding, nama's microdosed CBD products offer plenty of healthy effects.

Energy gummies (2.5 mg THC, 5 mg CBD)

Energy gummies help with daytime nausea relief when you need to stay functional throughout your day. Minimal THC triggers the entourage effect without cognitive fog, which makes these gummies suitable for busy mornings or work days when queasiness strikes unexpectedly.

Relax Plus gummies (5 mg THC, 25 mg CBD)

Relax Plus gummies contain higher CBD concentrations that target intense nausea through multiple pathways in your body. The 5:1 CBD to THC ratio calms symptoms effectively while keeping psychoactive effects minimal. They are effective for evenings when you need serious symptom control.

Sleep Plus gummies (2 mg THC, 25 mg CBD, 3 mg melatonin)

Sleep Plus gummies address nighttime nausea that disrupts your rest and recovery. CBD calms digestive distress while melatonin and low-dose THC promote restful sleep, breaking the cycle where poor sleep worsens nausea symptoms the next day.

Buzz Packs™ (5 mg THC, 5 mg CBD)

Buzz Packs work as a fast-acting powder mix for sudden-onset symptoms that catch you off guard. The balanced cannabinoid profile works through central and peripheral pathways in your system, while liquid absorption stays gentler on sensitive stomachs.

All nama gummies and cannabis beverages use precise microdosing for effective relief without overwhelming effects that interfere with your daily activities. Our broad-spectrum products contain zero THC and ship to all 50 states, while full-spectrum Delta 9 products are legal everywhere except Idaho and Kansas.

Remember that these products are for when you're not pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding. Consult your healthcare provider about pregnancy-safe alternatives that won't compromise your health or your baby's development.

Resources

Is CBD oil safe during pregnancy? American Pregnancy Association. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/cbd-oil-during-pregnancy/

De Genna, N. M., Kennon-McGill, S., Goldschmidt, L., Richardson, G. A., & Chang, J. C. (2023). Factors associated with ever using cannabidiol in a cohort of younger pregnant people. Neurotoxicology and teratology, 96, 107162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ntt.2023.107162

Swenson, K.S., Gomez Wulschner, L.E., Hoelscher, V.M. et al. Fetal cannabidiol (CBD) exposure alters thermal pain sensitivity, problem-solving, and prefrontal cortex excitability. Mol Psychiatry 28, 3397–3413 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-02130-y

Ismaeil, Ayham & Michael, Jankowski & Bibi, Riffat & Hammadeh, Mohamad Eid & Amor, Houda. (2023). The effects of Cannabis compounds (THC, CBD, and THC-COOH) on Sperm Motility in Male Participants: A Prospective Study. International Journal of Women's Health and Reproduction Sciences. 12. 16-20. 10.15296/ijwhr.2024.6001. 

Lo, J. O., Hedges, J. C., & Girardi, G. (2022). Impact of cannabinoids on pregnancy, reproductive health, and offspring outcomes. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 227(4), 571–581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2022.05.056

Tyrah M. Ritchie, Emily Feng, Fatemeh Vahedi, Sofya Ermolina, Christian J. Bellissimo, Erica De Jong, Ana L. Portillo, Sophie M. Poznanski, Lauren Chan, Sara M. Ettehadieh, Deborah M. Sloboda, Dawn M.E. Bowdish, Ali A. Ashkar, The impact of oral cannabis consumption during pregnancy on maternal spiral artery remodelling, fetal growth and offspring behaviour in mice,

eBioMedicine, Volume 114, 2025, 105572, ISSN 2352-3964, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105572.

Further reading

Cannabis edibles during breastfeeding

Can you microdose THC while pregnant?

How does CBD enhance sleep?

How much CBD is too much?

What is the best type of CBD to relieve joint pain?

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