As the long days and balmy weather of summer transform into the shorter, cooler days of autumn and winter, you may notice your mood changing along with the seasons. If you feel blue during the winter months, it could be a sign of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that’s related to changes in seasons. It usually begins in the autumn, although for some with the opposite pattern, it begins in the spring or early summer.
SAD causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, moodiness, and low energy. While most people with SAD only experience mild symptoms, some may find the condition debilitating enough to interfere with work or social activities.
You don’t have to suffer in silence if you’re struggling with SAD. Standard treatments like light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy, and medications can help. But there are also natural, plant-based options, such as cannabidiol (CBD).
Continue reading as we explore how CBD could help ease the draining, negative symptoms of SAD and allow you to maintain your mood and motivation throughout the year.
What causes Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
Seasonal Affective Disorder only occurs when there are significant changes in sunlight levels. Increasing hours of darkness affects the balance of serotonin and melatonin, which are hormones that also act as neurotransmitters. These chemical messengers regulate the body’s circadian rhythm or internal biological clock.
The falling sunlight levels during autumn and winter cause a serotonin deficiency. Because serotonin, also known as the ‘happy hormone,’ is critical in regulating mood and emotions, the drop can lead to feelings of sadness and low energy.
In contrast, melatonin levels increase. This hormone induces fatigue, relaxation, and sleep. Generally, levels increase at night, and these effects are desirable. But when melatonin dominates during the daytime, it can make you feel drowsy and sluggish.
What are the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
People with winter SAD may experience the following signs and symptoms:
- Feeling sad, hopeless, or worthless most of the time
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Dipping energy levels and feeling sluggish
- Losing interest in favourite activities
- Sleeping too much
- Being unable to concentrate
- Overeating and craving carbohydrates
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Having suicidal thoughts
Summer-onset SAD tends to have specific symptoms, including;
- Insomnia
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Increased irritability
- Anxiety
Because SAD can affect your quality of life and cause serious health complications, it’s important to find reliable ways to ease symptoms if you’re struggling with the condition. CBD is gaining popularity as a potential option for various mental health conditions, so could it be the answer to those winter blues?
What is CBD?
CBD is one of the many active compounds, or cannabinoids, in hemp and cannabis plants. However, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it doesn’t have intoxicating or euphoric effects.
As a bioactive compound, CBD can exert positive effects on the body. It does so by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a complex network of receptors and neurotransmitters that helps to regulate many critical functions, including:
- Mood
- Sleep
- Memory
- Appetite
- Fertility
- Pleasure and reward
- Pain perception
- Inflammation
The ECS regulates homeostasis, keeping the body in a state of perfect balance. Problems with the ECS could therefore lead to conditions like anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
CBD interacts with receptors in the ECS to influence its processes. So adding this cannabinoid to your daily routine may help to restore balance and improve your overall health and well-being.
Could CBD help with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
Yes, there’s scientific evidence that CBD could help ease symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
CBD for depression
CBD affects serotonin levels in the brain. This key neurotransmitter is the target of a common class of antidepressants — selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) —because of its effects on mood and emotions.
Several research studies have looked at using CBD for depression. For example, a 2019 animal study examined how CBD affected rats with depression. The rats consumed CBD and then completed tests to determine how well they coped. The researchers concluded that CBD reduced helplessness, a common symptom of depression.
A further 2020 animal study exposed rats to stressors over 4 weeks. The researchers dosed half the rats with CBD. In the end-of-study evaluations, the rats in the CBD group had decreased symptoms of depression and anhedonia, which is the ability to experience pleasure.
A 2019 case study of an individual with substance use disorder, depression, and anxiety found that administering CBD for 8 weeks decreased their symptoms. They also abstained from all substances and stopped taking antidepressant medications.
In one of the largest studies of its kind, a 2020 study with almost 400 participants looked at how CBD affected symptoms of depression, among other issues. The volunteers were using CBD for conditions including mental health issues. Following 3 weeks of use, everyone noted an improvement in quality of life, and those using CBD for anxiety and depression found that symptoms eased and daily functioning improved.
CBD for anxiety
CBD may help with anxiety and ease symptoms of tension and worry. A 2015 review noted that CBD interacts with certain receptors in the brain, which regulate some anxiety behaviours.
A later 2019 retrospective study explored the effects of CBD on 72 people with anxiety or sleep issues. More than 8 in 10 participants reported reduced anxiety during the first 2 months of CBD use.
In 2020 a review looked at CBD and anxiety disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and found further positive results. They suggested that the hemp compound could act as a therapy by itself or as a complementary therapy to other medications.
Choose CBD for Seasonal Affective Disorder
CBD may be a solution if you’re looking for a natural way to alleviate the low mood, depression, and anxiety that accompanies Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Because there’s nothing more important than your health, choose a product from a reputable brand that values testing and transparency. At Purity Hemp, it’s our mission to provide the highest-quality CBD products on the market. Our products are third-party lab-tested for potency and contaminants, so you can be sure you’re getting exactly what’s on the label.
Don’t let this winter season affect your well-being — choose CBD and feel your best.
