It’s that time of year… the holidays have ended and work is kicking back into high gear. But as winter takes hold, temperatures drop, and the sun makes less of an appearance, many people begin to struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder. This is a type of seasonal slump that causes sufferers to experience fatigue, anxiety, social withdrawal, depression and even strange sleep patterns – just when they need energy the most.
While there are various forms of treatment available, from antidepressants to vitamin D supplements to light therapy, an increasing number of studies point to CBD as a way to reduce symptoms associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder, particularly depression, insomnia and anxiety. Based on brain scans of participants in a study released by the Journal of Psychopharmacology, CBD users showed improved blood flow in areas of the brain that are associated with anxiety, including social anxiety. Other studies in 2014 and 2015 suggest that CBD also has great promise as a treatment for numerous forms of depression. And research published in 2017 shows that CBD can help to maintain more regular sleep patterns, even aiding in REM sleep.
It seems like every month we see more evidence of the potential of cannabis to treat a range of health issues. While there are several cannabis-based products with varying medicinal properties, the ones we sell at Think Botanicals with high CBD and low THC are best equipped to help with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Not only do they have the ability to uplift your mood, they also deliver stress relief without making you feel “high” or overstimulated. By interacting with the endocannabinoid system and elevating the chemical anandamide – a neurotransmitter produced in the brain that’s known as the “bliss molecule” – CBD is being looked at as a more natural way to help treat people who suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder.
If you’d like more information on the healing benefits of CBD, come check us out at any of our Think Botanicals locations!