Daily Dose Q&A

2023-12-04
Does the consumption of cannabinoid-based products impact lactation (breastfeeding)?
Yes. Cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid 1 receptors in the hypothalamus which triggers a release of dopamine. The dopamine, in turn, inhibits release of prolactin from the anterior pituitary. Prolactin is necessary for lactation. Cannabis consumption may not completely stop the production of breastmilk, and breastmilk produced by women who consume cannabis-based products may contain cannabinoids.
Meah F, Lundholm M, Emanuele N, Amjed H, Poku C, Agrawal L, Emanuele MA. The effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on the endocrine system. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2022 Jun;23(3):401-420. doi: 10.1007/s11154-021-09682-w. Epub 2021 Aug 30. PMID: 34460075.
2023-12-03
Does the consumption of cannabinoid-based products impact pregnancy outcome?
Yes. "With multivariate analysis and controlling for potential confounders including other drug and alcohol use, cannabis use in pregnancy was associated with low birth weight, preterm labor, small for gestational age, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Another study on the impact of cannabis on pregnancy outcomes in those undergoing assisted reproductive technology showed that female cannabis users had a higher risk of pregnancy loss."
Meah F, Lundholm M, Emanuele N, Amjed H, Poku C, Agrawal L, Emanuele MA. The effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on the endocrine system. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2022 Jun;23(3):401-420. doi: 10.1007/s11154-021-09682-w. Epub 2021 Aug 30. PMID: 34460075.
2023-12-02
Does the consumption of cannabinoid-based products impact female fertility?
The effects of cannabinoids on female fertility have been evaluated in several human studies. A 2021 study involved more than 1200 females who had a history of pregnancy loss and were trying to conceive, and compared the likelihood of conception among females who had recently consumed cannabis-based products to ones that had not. The results indicated that the females who had recently consumed cannabis-based products were 40% less likely to conceive compared to those who had not consumed any cannabis-based products. Another study, a small double blind randomized controlled trial showed that the inhalation of 1 gram of marijuana suppressed plasma luteinizing hormone (the hormone that controls follicular growth, ovulation, and maintenance of the corpus luteum in women). It must be noted that other human studies did not show that cannabis had a significant effect on female fertility.
Meah F, Lundholm M, Emanuele N, Amjed H, Poku C, Agrawal L, Emanuele MA. The effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on the endocrine system. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2022 Jun;23(3):401-420. doi: 10.1007/s11154-021-09682-w. Epub 2021 Aug 30. PMID: 34460075. Copy
2023-12-01
Cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1Rs) are found throughout the nervous system, cardiovascular system, pulmonary system, musculoskeletal system, and gastrointestinal tract. Are CB1Rs also expressed on endocrine organs?
Yes, CB1Rs are "expressed in a variety of endocrine organs including the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, bone, uterus, ovaries, testes, and placenta, although their density and level of expression varies."
Meah F, Lundholm M, Emanuele N, Amjed H, Poku C, Agrawal L, Emanuele MA. The effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on the endocrine system. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2022 Jun;23(3):401-420. doi: 10.1007/s11154-021-09682-w. Epub 2021 Aug 30. PMID: 34460075.