How Cannabis Can Benefit Your Winter Mood.
Alas, the season of dwindling daylight hours and dreary darkness has arrived. And we’re not just talking about the global pandemic. Winter is coming…
The colder, gloomy season can place a heavy burden on our mental well-being; especially in lockdown mode.
As the weather starts to shift, do you find yourself lacking energy, motivation or joy? You could be experiencing SAD.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall and early winter until spring. Depressive episodes linked to the summer can occur, but are much less common than winter episodes of SAD.
Common symptoms of SAD include:
- Feeling grumpy, depressed, moody, tired, anxious
- Losing interest in usual activities
- Experiencing changes in appetite or weight
- Having problems with sleep, or oversleeping
- Feeling sluggish or agitated
- Feeling hopeless or worthless
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Eating more and craving carbs
- Social withdrawal (“hibernating”)
Here are four ways cannabis can help offset the winter blues:
Increase your vitamin CBD.
Higher dose strains of CBD contain anti-anxiety and pain-relieving properties without the psychoactive effects of THC. A high-CBD strain such as a CBD Tincture offers relief without the anxiety or paranoia that can arise from THC. The right dose of CBD will bring you into a stress-free state of relaxation and alignment.
DIY light therapy.
Looking for more light in your life? AND the opportunity to grow your own weed? A cannabis grow room provides the ideal setup for light therapy. Whether you have your own grow space or not, HID (high intensity discharge) lights create an intense light source similar to that of the sun. This form of light spectrum can be highly effective and beneficial for treating SAD. Experts recommend absorbing this type of light for at least 30 minutes each day (ideally in the morning).
Run on cannabis.
You know the feeling of “runners’ high”? Well, studies have actually shown a spike in naturally occurring endocannabinoids in the bloodstream after high-intensity treadmill running. Pairing your workout with a low dose cannabis jelly could also provide anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects – allowing you to train longer and more enjoyably. Combining fitness and cannabis safely can offer an antidote to SAD. No better time to get outside, connect with nature and be a “trailblazer”!
Sleep better.
Some research and anecdotal insight has shown that CBD can work like a dream on inducing sleepiness and enhancing slumber. Improved sleep means we wake up feeling more rested and refreshed, and we have a sustainable reservoir of energy to flow through the day. The Sleep Tincture was formulated with better sleep in mind (and more energy upon rising – even if it’s still dark outside).
Cannabis is only one form of support out there during these dark, sequestered months.
If you’re experiencing severe and prolonged anxiety or depression, it’s always best to consult your primary healthcare professional first. Some types of counselling, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy and interpersonal therapy, can also help with symptom management and prevention of SAD episodes.
