Study published at Western provides hope to those exposed to THC during pregnancy

Dan Hardy, PhD, and PhD Candidate Kendrick Lee. (Source: Cynthia Fazio/Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry)

Studies show that exposure during pregnancy to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) can lead to complications in newborns.

THC is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. Studies with animal subjects showed lower birth weight and potential heart complications as the result of exposure.

A recent study at Western University hopes to tip the scales, and provide a potential remedy.

Led by Schulich Medicine and Dentistry researchers Dan Hardy and Kendrick Lee, the study shows that the effects of THC may be counteracted with Omega-3 supplements.

Using rat models, researchers found that the use of THC decreases stroke volume, cardiac output, and ejection fraction in rat offspring - put simply, those potential heart complications that pose risk were counteracted by Omega-3.

“When we gave the animal models an Omega-3 diet during pregnancy and for three weeks postpartum, we found it prevented low birth weight outcomes,” said Hardy, the study’s lead author and professor in the departments of obstetrics and genecology and physiology and pharmacology. “More importantly, it prevented the early decrease in cardiac function.”

Two important fatty acids present in Omega-3 play key roles in fetal growth and heart health - DHA and EPA.

The best part is that Omega-3 is widely available over the counter - if it can be proven that this is a suitable intervention in humans it would be easily implemented.

Of course, the best option is to avoid the use of cannabis during pregnancy, however, "this study raises the exciting possibility that an Omega-3 diet could be beneficial to those children, whom without choice, were exposed to cannabis in utero," shared Lee.