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According to a new study by biologists from the University of Alberta, some key compounds of cannabis could harm developing babies
Research published in the journal Scientific Reports, studied the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in zebrafish embryos.
"Cells, proteins, receptors, enzymes, how cells communicate in zebrafish are very similar to humans. Ali says on Radio-Canada Radio Active Radio .
Zebrafish also have THC and CBD receptors similar to humans. "We think that what we can learn from zebrafish we can take as a starting point" Ali, one of the four authors of the study.
At a critical stage of development known as gastrulation, zebrafish embryos were exposed to various levels of THC and CBD for about five hours. In humans, gastrulation occurs during the third week of embryo development – "early enough so that pregnancy is not detected," notes the study.
Higher concentrations result in lower survival rates. The researchers also found slower heart rates in almost all those exposed. Similarly, growth patterns of embryos exposed to the compounds differed from those in the control group.
"There were malformations," says Ali.
Researchers used much higher concentrations of THC than are usually found in the blood. plasma from humans after smoking cannabis. The amount was 10 times what is normally found, but only to explain the increased potency of THC in cannabis produced today.
Ali said that it is difficult to directly translate the effects of THC and CBD on humans, but without experimentation. on humans to test the effects of cannabis, zebrafish might be a good indicator.
The effects of cannabis on zebrafish could have similar effects in humans, but researcher Declan Ali is reluctant to establish a direct link between (Getty Images)
"I think that what He tells us or what he suggests for us, is that exposure to these compounds may have an effect on a developing organism, "he said.
Keep in mind if you are thinking of having children. "
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