CBD and Seasonal Affective Disorder

seasonal affective disorder

Yesterday was Blue Monday, supposedly the most depressing day of the year. Whether that is true or not, it is no secret that statistically more people feel down at this time of year – the long nights, lack of daylight and post-christmas bills can all contribute to lower mood in January and February.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, is the name for feeling depressed during the winter months, largely due to the cold, the low light levels during the day and the long nights.

While we are still waiting for studies that show CBD directly impacts depression, we do know that low serotonin levels are likely connected to depression. CBD doesn’t necessarily boost serotonin levels, but it may affect how your brain’s chemical receptors respond to the serotonin that’s already in your system. A 2014 animal study found that CBD’s effect on these receptors in the brain produced both antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects.

Taking CBD daily can help to produce these effects, we recommend taking a CBD oil or CBD Capsules.

Low levels of Vitamin D, caused by low dietary intake of the vitamin or not enough exposure to sunshine, have been found in people with SAD. However, it’s unclear whether Vitamin D supplementation can help to relieve SAD symptoms. If you would like to try and increase your Vitamin D intake (as recommended by the NHS during the winter months) we would recommend trying CBD with Vitamin D tablets. 

Finally, we recommend buying a daylight bulb for the room you spend the most time in. Daily light therapy involves sitting near a bulb which replicates daylight and helps the days to feel brighter and longer. This combined with daily CBD can make the winter months feel more manageable.