Postpartum cannabis use and stress: how they’re linked
Official title: The Impact of Stress and Craving on Return to Postpartum Cannabis Use
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11404799 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how stress and hormones around birth may influence whether women return to using cannabis after pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2002 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $220,220 |
| NIH project number | 5U54DA016511-24 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404799 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women who used cannabis before pregnancy and are in the postpartum period.
✕Less likely to help
Women who did not use cannabis prior to pregnancy or who are not in the postpartum period may not benefit.
What this research studies
This research follows postpartum women who used cannabis before pregnancy to see how stress, anxiety, sleep problems, and hormone changes after birth relate to returning to cannabis use. It will collect data over time and examine whether progesterone levels affect craving and drug-seeking behavior. The goal is to identify timing and signals that could guide interventions to help new mothers stay cannabis-free. The study aims to translate findings into practical approaches that support healthier outcomes for mothers and babies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to targeted strategies to prevent postpartum cannabis relapse and improve maternal and infant health.
How similar studies have gone: Prior evidence suggests hormonal and stress factors influence substance relapse, but this specific postpartum cannabis focus is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guille, Constance — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Guille, Constance
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.