Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is seasonal depression with symptoms that can be unbearable. Have you noticed that when the leaves fall or the cold weather sets in, there is a deep inner sadness that is hard to explain? Some people believe it is just a temporary “blues,” when in fact it is the change of seasons that causes this depressive feeling. To treat this profound condition, there is nothing better than a 100% natural and proven effective remedy: cannabidiol (CBD). Let us look in detail at the secret of CBD oil to support SAD and fight winter depression.

What is SAD?

SAD is a disorder that affects a person’s mood due to lack of sunlight. This disorder mainly affects people who live in countries with northern climates and lack natural light. When the sun’s rays hit the skin, they naturally trigger a positive enzymatic reaction. The body produces vitamin D, which is also a mood regulator. Read more about CBD and vitamin D here.

People who are exposed to less sunlight in the autumn or winter experience a disruption in their internal biological clocks. This lack of sunlight inevitably leads to a decrease in the production of hormones, especially serotonin and dopamine.

Symptoms of SAD

The signs of seasonal affective disorder are similar to the symptoms of depression you may already know. In the UK, more than 500,000 people (mainly women) suffer from SAD. However, the intensity of symptoms varies from person to person. Symptoms may include:

• Depression or low mood
• Lack of interest in activities that are normally enjoyable
• Problems sleeping
• Persistent decrease in energy
• Isolation from social situations
• Change in weight or appetite
• Difficulty concentrating
• Suicidal thoughts in severe cases

Treatment options – Can CBD oil help SAD?

If you notice any of these symptoms in your life, you should see your doctor immediately. He or she will give you the right advice for your situation and suggest solutions that will improve your mood and quality of life. One of the most popular basic treatments is light therapy.

This technique uses a lamp equipped with a UV filter to replicate exposure to intense white sunlight. A person needs an average of 10,000 lux to completely eliminate seasonal affective disorder.

In addition, CBD combined with vitamin D could also be a suitable remedy to alleviate this temporary disorder. These cannabinoids are able to alleviate some of the side effects associated with this disorder such as anxiety and insomnia.

CBD comes into play with winter blues

You should first know that CBD products do not directly cure SAD. They relieve symptoms to make the winter blues more bearable. Hundreds of articles have published the effectiveness of CBD for anxiety and sleep disorders. By interacting with the endocannabinoid system, this natural substance derived from hemp stimulates dopamine and serotonin production in the brain.

Anxiety

Numerous studies have shown that people suffering from anxiety experience immediate relief after taking a dose of CBD. Spanish researchers confirmed this theory in 2016 when they found a dramatic change in behaviour in depressed rats.

This feeling of anxiety is linked to a decrease in serotonin levels. CBD/CBG oil has the ability to activate serotonin receptors (5-HT1A) to combat anxiety.

Depression and sleep disorder

As for the treatment of depression, experiments report that cannabidiol has antidepressant properties. These same properties may also improve sleep disorders. Several reliable studies have been able to prove the link between CBD consumption and insomnia.

CBD/CBN oil calms anxious feelings and promotes relaxation to facilitate sleep. So, the quality of sleep seems to improve thanks to the effect of CBD.

How to use CBD to overcome SAD?

If your main goal is to combat sleep disorders, opt for sublingual (under the tongue) ingestion of CBD oil. This is a quick and effective way to take full advantage of the relaxing effects of this molecule with a thousand virtues.

CBD capsules are also an easy way to incorporate it into your diet. In any case, make sure that the product in question is of good quality. You should know that in seasonal dependent depression, it is important to associate the consumption of cannabidiol with the idea of positivity and joy. This way, you will really feel its effect on your well-being.

CBD for allergies

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In the transitional period between two seasons or in spring, many people suffer from constant discomfort and sniffles. Allergies are manifested by itchy eyes, allergic cough or stuffy nose. This condition can be difficult to manage without harsh prescription medications.

The increase in flower pollen in the spring also promotes asthma attacks. Symptoms tend to worsen with the change of season. People with asthma have a weakened immune system and suffer from inflammation of the bronchial tubes. This affects the exchange of oxygen and carbon in the body. Anecdotally, we have seen very positive results with 18% Athletes CBD oil.

In the case of allergic asthma.

The Extreme South University of Santa Catarina in Brazil has conducted a study between CBD and allergic asthma. The scientists of this institution published on January 15, 2019 the remarkable effect of cannabidiol on mice with sensitive airways.

“…Cannabidiol exerts immunomodulatory effects by activating CB1 and CB2 receptors located in the central nervous system and immune cells, respectively.”

Therefore, CBD-based treatment helps reduce respiratory hyperresponsiveness. Overall, cannabidiol-based treatment reduces the inflammatory and remodelling process in allergic asthma. This study and many others give hope to hay fever patients.

Tips for using CBD to treat SAD.

Finding the best CBD oil

Since cannabidiol is available in various forms, there is a suitable product for every case. For treating mood disorders, any product that contains the basic cannabinoids is recommended – we are talking about a full-spectrum product here. The only thing you need to pay attention to is the potency of the oil/product. Generally, SAD requires a high dosage of CBD.
Estimate initial dose

Scientific research recommends a dosage of 100 – 200 mg of CBD per day for several weeks to relieve emotional disorders. This dosage is actually higher than the normal CBD dose. Of course, everyone is different and you do not have to take this dose to get results.

We recommend START LOW AND GO SLOW. By this we mean that you should start with a low CBD dose and slowly increase it over a few days until you feel relief. You do not need to start pumping as much as you can into your body, because too much CBD could increase your symptoms. There is a personal “sweet spot” for everyone.

Even though high dosages are recommended to treat mood disorders, you should always start with a small dose of CBD when you first start taking it. To see if you have a bad reaction to the cannabidiol oil or its other ingredients.

Monitor the effect
This last step is very important and should not be neglected. This is because seasonal affective disorder has a variety of factors. Therefore, CBD or other cannabinoids can cause adverse effects in this type of disorder. To avoid this misunderstanding, you should take careful notes about the symptoms that occur during your CBD treatment. Then, inform your doctor of any change.

In summary, if you take CBD regularly, it will probably take some time before you notice the changes. Sometimes, some people need to take it longer. You need to be patient and persistent with the effects of cannabidiol. However, if despite your efforts you are not able to stop your seasonal depression, we recommend you to consult your doctor or a psychiatrist.