CBD for SAD: A Natural Solution to Fight the Winter Blues
Have you had enough of winter, and you’re counting down the days until spring? Hang in there!
Months of grayer skies and colder temps can be a real downer, sometimes leading to seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—the perfect acronym for the winter blues and blahs.
Cheer up! Spring is only a month away, and cannabidiol (CBD) can help treat the symptoms of SAD while you wait for sunnier skies.
Your family needs you to stay happy and healthy!
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
The psychological condition known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression associated with the change of seasons. SAD, also known as seasonal depression, typically begins in autumn and continues thru winter when the skies turn gray and gloomy.
Although the exact cause is still unknown, seasonal affective disorder is strongly linked to a lack of sunlight and a vitamin D deficiency. People diagnosed with SAD also produce higher levels of the sleep hormone melatonin due to lower sunlight exposure.
Seasonal affective disorder mostly affects people who live farther from the equator, where sunshine becomes scarcer as winter approaches. In wintertime, the days are shorter, which means there’s less exposure to sunlight.
Our bodies need sunshine for more than a great tan!
Sunlight is vital to our overall wellbeing. Without enough of it, the following SAD conditions can occur:
Vitamin D deficiency: causes depression, brittle bones, hair loss, muscle weakness, lower immunity, and fatigue.
Disrupted sleep/internal body clock: causes sluggishness and moodiness.
Low serotonin levels: causes disruption in sleep, appetite, sexual desire, and mood.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of SAD?
Not everyone experiences SAD the same way, but here are the most common symptoms:
Anxiety
Depression
Fatigue
Irritability
Low libido
Oversleeping
Reduced energy
Weight gain
Social withdrawal
SAD makes you want to curl up under a blanket and hibernate until spring, but DON’T!
Winter can be a blast if you embrace the cold and stay active by skiing, ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing, hiking, playing hockey, ice fishing—anything that gets you outside and moving!
In addition to staying active, light therapy (phototherapy), talk therapy, vitamin D supplements, and CBD products can help boost your mental and physical wellness, so you can power thru the winter blues a lot easier. No OTC meds required.
How Does Cannabis Help with Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Studies have shown CBD supplements can greatly improve the symptoms of SAD. Cannabidiol boosts serotonin and dopamine levels by interacting with the endocannabinoid system.
Serotonin is nicknamed the happiness hormone, and dopamine is known as the feel-good hormone.
So, CBD fuels the endocannabinoid system to crank out more of these mood-boosting hormones throughout the body.
Plus, cannabidiol...
Alleviates anxiety
CBD increases serotonin levels, which reduces anxiety.
Improves sleep
CBD increases feelings of calm, promotes muscle relaxation, and alleviates insomnia—all conducive to a great night’s sleep.
Reduces muscle and joint pain
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid (ECS) receptors in your brain and immune system, creating anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects that help you stay active without discomfort and downtime.
Promotes a healthy appetite
CBD increases dopamine production that’s associated with the brain’s reward system. Increased feel-good dopamine levels promote a healthy appetite because eating is a rewarding activity.
Conclusion:
Don’t let winter get you down. If you stay active, get outdoors, and take a daily dose of vitamin D and CBD supplements, the gloomy months will fly by a lot faster.
“It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Which CBD products will you use to help you fight the winter blues?