Babies exposed to marijuana in the womb ‘actually have better eyesight’
Unexpected result (Picture Getty)
A controversial new study has shown that babies who are exposed to marijuana while in the womb actually have BETTER vision.

But the scientists have cautioned against smoking weed while pregnant in the hope of having super-babies.
Researchers from the University of Waterloo, Ontario found that exposure to the drug can improve a child’s ability to track moving objects.

Professor Ben Thompson, at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, said: ‘We were surprised with this initial finding.

‘It shows that marijuana and alcohol can have quite an impact on a fundamental aspect of the visual processing happening in our brains.

‘But despite the apparently beneficial impact of marijuana on the development of the brain’s visual system, other research shows its use can actually impair the brain development of unborn children.’

Last week, the American Medical Association suggested that marijuana products should be labelled, ‘Marijuana use during pregnancy and breastfeeding poses potential harms.’

Relatively few human studies have been carried out into the effects of smoking cannabis during pregnancy – although rat studies have suggested the drug can cause brain damage.

America’s National Institute on Drug Abuse says that more research is needed to separate marijuana use from other factors, but says, ‘Human studies have shown that some babies born to women who used marijuana during their pregnancies respond differently to visual stimuli, tremble more, and have a high-pitched cry, which could indicate problems with neurological development.’