Topic - Mom's Past Drug Use and Pregnancy. A mother’s past drug use matters.
When a mother uses drugs, the remnants, called the “mother lode”, remain in her body and impact her children and grandchildren.
How is that possible?
The illicit drugs cause her children’s brains to be less sensitive to dopamine. Dopamine excess and deficiencies are related to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, schizophrenia and substance abuse.
Women who anticipate becoming pregnant should refrain from even sporadic, recreational use of drugs for at least 3 years before conceiving because the drugs are stored in her fat.
Once pregnant, those fat stores are released and the drugs flow out into her bloodstream and into baby’s brains.
Initial problems can be seen in colic, sleep, and overactivity. As they grow, these children don’t get along well in preschool situations.
Think ahead about your baby when you make the decision to use drugs.
