# COVID-19 and Increased Substance Use During Pregnancy: Clinical Insights > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/covid-19-linked-increased-substance-use-pregnancy/ > **Published:** 2026-03-27T10:05:38-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-29T00:19:01-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore how COVID 19 linked increased substance use during pregnancy impacts fetal development and clinical care approaches. --- ✦ New CED Clinical Relevance  #70Notable Clinical Interest  Emerging findings or policy developments worth monitoring closely. ⚒ Cannabis News  |  CED Clinic PregnancyMental HealthScreeningCovid-19[Fetal Development](https://cedclinic.com/prenatal-cannabinoid-exposure-reproductive-health-insights/) Why This Matters Pregnancy represents a critical window where substance use decisions directly impact [fetal development](https://cedclinic.com/prenatal-cannabinoid-exposure-reproductive-health-insights/), making any trend toward increased use during COVID-19 a significant clinical concern. Cannabis use during pregnancy has documented associations with altered fetal brain development and [birth outcomes](https://cedclinic.com/recreational-cannabis-birth-outcomes-study-colorado/), requiring updated screening and counseling approaches in obstetric care. Clinical Summary [COVID-19 pandemic](https://cedclinic.com/will-the-coronavirus-force-states-to-legalize-marijuana/) stressors appear linked to increased substance use during pregnancy, though the specific mechanisms and magnitude remain under investigation. Pregnant patients may have turned to cannabis and other substances as coping mechanisms during periods of isolation, economic uncertainty, and healthcare disruption. The timing coincides with expanded cannabis access in many jurisdictions and reduced routine prenatal monitoring in some healthcare systems. Dr. Caplan’s Take “I’m seeing pregnant patients who started or increased cannabis use during the pandemic, often without discussing it with their obstetric providers. The combination of stress, isolation, and normalized cannabis use created a perfect storm that we’re still untangling clinically.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should proactively screen for substance use changes during pregnancy, particularly in patients who experienced significant pandemic-related stressors. This requires non-judgmental inquiry and clear communication about fetal risks while addressing underlying mental health needs. Documentation of timing and exposure patterns helps inform monitoring and intervention strategies. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/forum/cannabis-industry/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [𝕏 Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20COVID-19%20linked%20to%20increased%20substance%20use%20during%20pregnancy%20-%20The%20Hippocratic%20Po...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A//www.hippocraticpost.com/mental-health/covid-19-stress-linked-to-substance-increased-use-during-pregnancy/)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A//www.hippocraticpost.com/mental-health/covid-19-stress-linked-to-substance-increased-use-during-pregnancy/)[🦥 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20COVID-19%20linked%20to%20increased%20substance%20use%20during%20pregnancy%20-%20The%20Hippocratic%20Po...%20--%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A//www.hippocraticpost.com/mental-health/covid-19-stress-linked-to-substance-increased-use-during-pregnancy/)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan/)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://substack.com/@doctorapproved)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/category/cannabis-news/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://www.hippocraticpost.com/mental-health/covid-19-stress-linked-to-substance-increased-use-during-pregnancy/](https://www.hippocraticpost.com/mental-health/covid-19-stress-linked-to-substance-increased-use-during-pregnancy/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[What is the clinical significance of this cannabis research?](#What_is_the_clinical_significance_of_this_cannabis_research) - [How does cannabis use during pregnancy affect maternal and fetal health?](#How_does_cannabis_use_during_pregnancy_affect_maternal_and_fetal_health) - [What mental health considerations are associated with cannabis use?](#What_mental_health_considerations_are_associated_with_cannabis_use) - [How has COVID-19 impacted cannabis use patterns and screening practices?](#How_has_COVID-19_impacted_cannabis_use_patterns_and_screening_practices) - [What screening tools should healthcare providers use for cannabis assessment?](#What_screening_tools_should_healthcare_providers_use_for_cannabis_assessment) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ #### What is the clinical significance of this cannabis research? This research has been classified as having “Notable Clinical Interest” with emerging findings that warrant close monitoring. The study appears to focus on cannabis use patterns and health outcomes across multiple patient populations. #### How does cannabis use during pregnancy affect maternal and fetal health? Cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with various maternal and fetal risks that require careful screening and monitoring. Healthcare providers should assess cannabis use as part of routine prenatal care to identify potential complications early. #### What mental health considerations are associated with cannabis use? Cannabis use can have complex interactions with mental health conditions, potentially affecting mood, anxiety, and [cognitive function](https://cedclinic.com/reverse-cholesterol-transport-function-cannabis-users/). Patients with mental health concerns should discuss cannabis use with their healthcare providers to understand potential risks and benefits. #### How has COVID-19 impacted cannabis use patterns and screening practices? The [COVID-19 pandemic](https://cedclinic.com/will-the-coronavirus-force-states-to-legalize-marijuana/) has influenced both cannabis consumption patterns and healthcare screening protocols. Healthcare systems have had to adapt their screening and monitoring approaches while considering pandemic-related changes in patient behavior. #### What screening tools should healthcare providers use for cannabis assessment? Healthcare providers should implement standardized screening tools to assess cannabis use patterns, frequency, and potential health impacts. Regular screening helps identify patients who may benefit from intervention or monitoring for cannabis-related health effects. {“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “NewsArticle”, “headline”: “COVID-19 linked to increased substance use during pregnancy – The Hippocratic Post”, “url”: “https://www.hippocraticpost.com/mental-health/covid-19-stress-linked-to-substance-increased-use-during-pregnancy/”, “datePublished”: “2026-03-27T11:33:10Z”, “about”: “covid 19 linked increased substance use”} [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [Placental Changes From Prenatal Cannabis Exposure Could Flag Higher Schizophrenia …](https://cedclinic.com/prenatal-cannabis-exposure-placental-gene-expression-schizophrenia-risk/) Explore how prenatal cannabis exposure affects placental development and potential long-term risks. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/prenatal-cannabis-exposure-placental-gene-expression-schizophrenia-risk/) New research suggests cannabis and tobacco use may be linked to brain shrinkage … – Instagram Discover recent findings on the neurological impacts of cannabis and tobacco use. Learn More [UC San Diego Research Explores Impact of Adolescent Cannabis Use on Cognitive Development](https://cedclinic.com/uc-san-diego-research-explores-impact-of-adolescent-cannabis-use-on-cognitive-development/) Study the effects of [adolescent cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-and-anxiety-research/) on brain development and cognition. [Explore Study](https://cedclinic.com/uc-san-diego-research-explores-impact-of-adolescent-cannabis-use-on-cognitive-development/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).