What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: THC, Endocannabinoid.

Where was this research published?

Published in Toxicology and applied pharmacology on October 13, 2026.

Placental study links pregnancy cannabis exposure with signaling and…

Q: What did this research study find?

In placentas from pregnancies with frequent cannabis use, **THC was detected in tissue and released on both maternal and fetal sides**.

Maternal cannabis use during pregnancy associates with alterations in placental endocannabinoid- and steroid-homeostasis and morphology.

Toxicology and applied pharmacology • October 13, 2026 • Highly Relevant

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AI Summary

This human placental study asked whether frequent cannabis use throughout pregnancy is associated with changes in placental cannabinoid-related signaling, steroid profiles, and structure. Researchers compared placentas from cannabis users with non-exposed controls, using laboratory perfusion, gene-expression analysis, and tissue examination. The abstract does not report sample size or numerical effect sizes, so the findings are qualitative.

The researchers detected THC in placental tissue and found it was released on both maternal and fetal sides. Cannabis exposure was associated with altered release of endocannabinoid-related lipids, changes in steroid measures, and placental structural abnormalities, including reduced placental weight and signs of accelerated maturation and ischemia. These are associations, not proof that cannabis caused the changes. This abstract-based summary cannot establish whether the findings lead to specific pregnancy outcomes or apply to all patterns of cannabis use; the study population and design also limit conclusions beyond the placentas examined.

💡 Key Findings

In placentas from pregnancies with frequent cannabis use, THC was detected in tissue and released on both maternal and fetal sides.

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90%

Cannabis exposure was associated with altered release of endocannabinoid-related lipids, including greater fetal release of N-acylethanolamines and loss of typical maternal-fetal release polarity for several mediators.

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85%

Exposed placentas showed altered steroid measures: maternal cortisol release was increased and HSD3B1 expression was upregulated, without a corresponding increase in progesterone content.

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85%

The exposed placentas had structural and histopathological differences, including lower placental weight, shorter umbilical cords, smaller maximal placental diameter, and more reported signs such as accelerated maturation and ischemia.

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85%

📄 Original Abstract

BACKGROUND: Maternal cannabis use associates with adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia. Human data on cannabis-associated disruption of the placental endocannabinoid system (ECS) are lacking. METHODS: We studied placentas from women with frequent cannabis use throughout pregnancy and non-exposed controls. Ex vivo dual-sided cotyledon perfusion was used to assess maternal and fetal release of cannabinoids, ECS-related lipid mediators, prostaglandins, and steroids by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Placental gene expression was quantified by RT-qPCR and placental histopathology was compared in cannabis users, non-smoking controls and tobacco-exposed pregnancies. RESULTS: The major cannabis-component Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was detectable in placental tissue and released maternally and fetally. Cannabis use was associated with altered placental release of ECS-related lipids, including enhanced fetal release of N-acylethanolamines and loss of normal maternal-fetal release polarity for several lipid mediators. Cannabis-exposed placentas showed lower tissue concentrations of cortisone, membrane phospholipids, and selected mono- and diglycerides, suggesting reduced substrate availability for endogenous ECS lipid generation. Maternal cortisol release was increased, while HSD3B1 expression was upregulated without corresponding increases in progesterone content. Histopathological analyses showed reduced placental weight, umbilical cord length, and maximal placental diameter, with increased marginal or peripheral cord insertion, accelerated maturation, ischemia, and chorioamnionitis in cannabis-exposed placentas. CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with placental accumulation and fetal-side release of THC, altered ECS-related lipid signaling, disturbed steroid profiles, and placental structural abnormalities. These findings may help explain previously reported associations between prenatal cannabis exposure and placental dysfunction and warn against cannabis use during pregnancy.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Toxicology and applied pharmacology
Published: October 13, 2026
PMID: 42869354
DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2026.118080

Authors (12)

M S Harhangi Department of Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care, Division of Neonatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: m.harhangi@erasmusmc.nl.
P Meier Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.
H H Bijma Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
L E van der Meeren Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Pathology, Leiden Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
M Rousian Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
+7 more authors