Does Cannabis Help With Postpartum Depression?
Article written by
Elena Schmidt
Content reviewed by
Dr. Lewis JasseyMedical Director - Pediatric Medicine
People with postpartum depression (PPD) often experience symptoms that greatly affect their daily functioning. While typically treated with medications like antidepressants, some people with PPD have turned to cannabis — and for a good reason. Cannabis may benefit people experiencing PPD by providing noticeable symptom relief.
However, breastfeeding parents must weigh the risks of potential THC intoxication to their developing babies. Ultimately, it is encouraged that you speak with your doctor before considering marijuana for postpartum depression.
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What Is Postpartum Depression?
After childbirth, many new birth parents experience mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. These feelings are often called “baby blues” and tend to decrease over the first two weeks after delivery.
However, up to 20% of women develop PPD after childbirth. Postpartum depression lasts longer than “baby blues” and can severely affect one’s ability to return to normal function. Characterized by intense sadness, fatigue, depression, and mood swings, PPD is more common in adolescents, those who deliver premature infants, and those living in urban areas.
Postpartum depression, or postnatal depression, can affect a person’s health, parenting behaviors, and the child’s development. Risk factors for PPD include:
- Psychological: Those with a history of clinical depression and anxiety disorders, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a history of sexual abuse, and other factors such as reluctance to accept the baby’s gender are common risk factors for developing postpartum depression.
- Risky pregnancy: A pregnancy with certain risks, such as emergency cesarean section and hospitalizations during pregnancy, can increase the chance of PPD. Other pregnancy risk factors that can lead to PPD include meconium passage — which is when the baby has their first bowel movement during birth — or when the baby is born preterm or with low birth weight.
- Biological factors: People aged 13-19 have a much higher risk of postpartum depression. In addition, conditions such as diabetes predispose people to PPD.
- Social factors: Those who lack strong social support, including emotional, financial, or empathetic relationships, are at higher risk of developing PPD.
PPD symptoms usually develop within the first few weeks after giving birth; however, they may begin earlier, including during pregnancy, or later, up to a year after giving birth.
Postpartum depression symptoms may include:
- Depressive symptoms, anxiety attacks, and mood swings
- Excessive crying
- Trouble bonding with the newborn
- Withdrawing from social interactions
- Eating more or less than usual
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Fatigue or restlessness
- Irrational fears and hopelessness
- Feeling shame or guilt
- Difficulting concentrating
- Thoughts of harming oneself or the newborn child
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
In rare cases, 1 to 2 in every 1,000 mothers can experience even more serious postpartum mood disorders, including psychotic episodes. These are commonly referred to as postpartum psychosis and can include hallucinations, delusions, confusion, and an inability to sleep. Postpartum women who experience these symptoms should immediately report them to a healthcare provider.
Is PPD a Qualifying Condition for Medical Marijuana?
In the United States, the specific conditions that qualify patients for medical marijuana differ by state. However, some states allow medical marijuana for certain mental health conditions, including anxiety, insomnia, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions may be relevant to mothers experiencing PPD.
Some states, such as New York, allow state-certified practitioners to determine eligibility for medical marijuana, considering any condition that may not be expressly written in state law.
Potential Benefits and Risks of Using Cannabis If You Have PPD
New parents may have preconceptions about cannabis use and hesitate to try medical marijuana to treat PPD symptoms. Such was the case with Celia Behar, a blogger and life coach who used marijuana to treat her persistent postpartum anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
After her first child, Celia experienced strong PPD symptoms and was prescribed Prozac, which she described as a “lifesaver.” However, Prozac also brought various unwanted side effects, including migraines, shaky hands, and severe insomnia. This caused Celia to stop Prozac and seek counseling to treat her persistent anxiety. She took a mix of Xanax, Valium, and Ativan before trying for a second pregnancy.
Celia’s PPD symptoms worsened after her second daughter and a friend recommended she try medical marijuana as an alternative treatment. Celia soon found that when she smoked marijuana at night, her insomnia was gone. She woke up rested, content and calm, avoiding the negative side effects of the other traditionally prescribed medications.
Potential Benefits
Scientists have not extensively studied the link between cannabis and PPD. Some self-reported studies oppose marijuana use for new mothers, while many others show a positive correlation, mainly due to marijuana’s antidepressant qualities.
People with depression, and PPD, by extension, are about twice as likely to use marijuana as the general population due to its various reported benefits.
A recent study published in the Journal of Biology and Medicine found that most patients (over 95%) who used medical cannabis to treat depression found immediate relief. They reported feeling happy, optimistic, peaceful, and relaxed.
Another 2018 study found similar effects, with medical cannabis users reporting up to a 50% perceived improvement in depressive symptoms and a 58% reduction in anxiety and stress.
Potential Risks
As with any drug, marijuana use exhibits potential hazards. Marijuana risks include tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and diminishing returns with frequent, chronic use. Marijuana can also negatively impact short-term memory and cause increased anxiety, especially at higher doses. Over time, persistent high-THC use also increases psychosis risk in people with genetic predispositions. High doses of THC may also prompt depression in some.
In addition to the general risks of using marijuana, pregnant people should know that THC can negatively affect the baby’s development and brain function. A study published this past year found that children with moms who used marijuana during pregnancy were at increased risk of stress and anxiety. Postpartum women should also know that THC can be passed to the baby through breast milk, potentially increasing the chances of developmental issues.
What to Do If You Have Postpartum Depression and Need to Use Marijuana
People with postpartum depression who need to use marijuana must first speak to a medical professional to determine if this is an appropriate treatment. Then, they must find a reputable, legal source of medical cannabis, ensuring all products are lab-tested and contaminant-free.
If breastfeeding, people must consider the potential risks to their baby’s development and brain function. Prenatal cannabis use has been associated with adverse effects, including small-for-gestational-age infants, preterm birth, fetal neurodevelopmental consequences, and impaired cognitive development, so postnatal use could theoretically cause harm.
For those not breastfeeding, products with low-to-moderate THC levels, higher CBD levels, and the plant’s full range of healing compounds may work best. These “full spectrum” smokable flower and extract products contain cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, all of which synergize in the body to amplify healing in a process known as the “entourage effect.”
Regardless of the product type, people should consider using marijuana in moderation to minimize adverse side effects and ensure they’re mentally coherent to care for their children.
Some opt for broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate instead of full-spectrum products to avoid THC’s intoxicating properties while experiencing anxiety relief. These products contain zero to minimal THC and can be safer alternatives, especially for breastfeeding people.
Why Using Cannabis for Postpartum Depression Can Help You Feel Better
Cannabis provides fast-acting relief for depression symptoms. In addition, moderate THC strains (cultivars, chemotypes) with soothing terpenes like linalool and myrcene can help you sleep better and wake up refreshed. Combining better sleep with immediate improvements in mood, reduced stress, and reduced anxiety can be a powerful combination in combating postpartum depression.
The Bottom Line
Medical marijuana can provide rapid relief for depression symptoms and can be a lifesaver for those with postpartum depression. There are many potential benefits of using medical marijuana for PPD treatment. However, pregnant and breastfeeding people should consider the risks of THC to infant and childhood development and may consider pure CBD products as a safer alternative.
All pregnant people and those who breastfeed must speak to their doctors before considering marijuana as an alternative postpartum depression treatment.
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