What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: THC.

Where was this research published?

Published in Scientific reports on January 26, 2026.

Smoking cannabis during pregnancy: Hidden risks beyond THC revealed

Q: What did this research study find?

**Cannabis smoke extract disrupts placental development** more significantly than *Δ9-THC* alone

Cannabis smoke extract disrupts trophoblast differentiation and causes mitochondrial dysfunction beyond the effects of Δ9-THC alone.

Scientific reports • January 26, 2026 • Moderately Relevant

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AI Summary

This groundbreaking study reveals serious potential risks of cannabis smoking during pregnancy, highlighting that the effects of cannabis smoke extract (CaSE) go far beyond the impact of Δ9-THC alone. Researchers discovered that smoking cannabis can disrupt critical placental development processes, which could have significant implications for fetal health.

The study found that cannabis smoke extract causes multiple cellular disruptions at different concentrations. At lower concentrations (1-2.5%), CaSE increased reactive oxygen species, while higher concentrations (5-10%) severely impacted mitochondrial function. Notably, the research showed that CaSE reduced important pregnancy-related proteins like hCG and syncytin-1, suggesting potential interference with normal placental formation and function.

Critically, the findings demonstrate that simply studying individual cannabis components fails to capture the full complexity of cannabis smoke exposure. The researchers emphasize that most cannabis users consume through smoking, making this research particularly relevant. The study suggests that cannabis smoke contains additional harmful compounds beyond Δ9-THC that could pose significant risks during pregnancy, underscoring the importance of understanding the complete chemical composition of cannabis smoke.

💡 Key Findings

Cannabis smoke extract disrupts placental development more significantly than Δ9-THC alone

High

85%

Dose-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction observed at higher cannabis smoke extract concentrations

Good

78%

Increased reactive oxygen species detected at lower cannabis smoke extract concentrations

Good

75%

📄 Original Abstract

Smoking cannabis remains the most common mode of consumption amongst pregnant people, yet the effects on placentation remain poorly understood. While prior studies have focused on exposure to single components of cannabis (i.e., Δ9-THC and CBD), this approach overlooks the complex toxicology and pharmacology of cannabis smoke exposure. In this study, we used an in vitro model of human trophoblast differentiation to investigate the impact of CaSE (cannabis smoke extract) compared to Δ9-THC. We show that CaSE, but not Δ9-THC induces CYP1A1 expression, a marker of exposure to combustion by-products. CaSE reduced hCG protein levels and syncytin-1 gene expression, suggesting impaired syncytialization. Lower concentrations of CaSE (1%, 2.5%) elevated reactive oxygen species without impacting membrane potential, whereas higher concentrations (5%, 10%) disrupted mitochondrial respiration, indicating dose-dependent bioenergetic dysfunction. Antioxidant genes, superoxide dismutase 1 and 2, were distinctly altered indicating the divergence in oxidative stress responses. Interestingly, CB1R antagonism rescued the effects of Δ9-THC exposure, but not CaSE-mediated effects on differentiation markers. Since most cannabis users consume cannabis by smoking, and smoke exposure differs from single components (Δ9-THC), it is important that preclinical models consider smoking when evaluating the impacts of cannabis use during pregnancy.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Scientific reports
Published: January 26, 2026
PMID: 41588048
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-36939-8

Authors (9)

Cristina Monaco Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
Mahek Minhas Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
Tina Podinic Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
Joshua P Nederveen Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
Amica-Mariae Lucas Department of Chemistry, Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development (COGRAD), University of Manitoba, 586 Parker Building, 144 Dysart Rd., Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada.
+4 more authors