Cannabinoids in Breast Milk & The major influence of cannabinoid receprtors during pre- and postnatal development

A research indicates that the human body has in fact evolved to both produce and utilize its own cannabinoids.

It comes as no surprise that these endogenous compounds are transferred to the infant via cannabinoids in breast milk. If the body naturally has cannabinoid receptors it stands to reason that it must then produce its own cannabinoids.According to the findings of several major scientific studies, human mothers naturally produce cannabinoids in breast milk and furthermore these cannabinoids are vital for proper infant development. They are classified as a specific type of neuromodulatory lipid. 

"one of the main functions of these cannabinoids in cannabis breast milk is to help a newborn child to feed by stimulating the suckling process".

The medical implications of these developments are far reaching and suggest a promising future for cannabinoids in paediatric medicine for conditions including ‘non-organic failure-to-thrive’ and cystic fibrosis.

Human breast milk has been traditionally considered sterile; however, recent studies have shown that along with the cannabinoids in breast milk, it also contains and supplies a completely natural cocktail of probiotic bacteria (commensal and mutualistic) to the infant gut.

Along with stimulating your babies feeding response these compounds also protect the infant against infections and contribute to the maturation of the immune system, among many other yet to be scientifically proven functions. 

Without cannabinoids in cannabis breast milk, infants would not be stimulated with a desire to feed. Observations of how babies act after being fed show that they exhibit symptoms of cannabinoid use.

Another research suggests that the endogenous cannabinoids ("endocannabinoids") and their cannabinoid receptors have a major influence during pre- and postnatal development. 

-High levels of the endocannaboid anandamide and cannabinoid receptors are present in the preimplantation embryo and in the uterus, while a temporary reduction of anandamide levels is essential for embryonal implantation. In women accordingly, an inverse association has been reported between fatty acid amide hydrolase (the anandamide degrading enzyme) in human lymphocytes and miscarriage.

-CB(1) receptors display a transient presence in white matter areas of the pre- and postnatal nervous system, suggesting a role for CB(1) receptors in brain development. 

-Endocannabinoids have been detected in maternal milk and activation of CB(1) receptors appears to be critical for milk sucking by newborn mice, apparently activating oral-motor musculature. Fourth, anandamide has neuroprotectant properties in the developing postnatal brain.


-Prenatal exposure to the active constituent of marihuana (Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol) or to anandamide affects prefrontal cortical functions, memory and motor and addictive behaviors, suggesting a role for the endocannabinoid CB(1) receptor system in the brain structures which control these functions. 

Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com
https://www.kalapa-clinic.com

https://cannabiscure.info