CBD and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
When winter comes
Is your morale down since the days are getting shorter as winter approaches ? Life seems sad to you, and nothing motivates you ? What if these are the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder ? Seasonal affective disorder occurs as fall and winter approaches, when the light and length of daylight diminishes. Let's find out together how to fight this condition, and see how CBD can help you get through the winter period while keeping your joie de vivre.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) ?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that develops when the amount of sunlight (its duration and intensity) decreases in the fall. The brightness has a very strong influence on our morale, and people affected by this illness develop symptoms of mood disorders, such as anxiety, sadness, stress, weight change, sleep disturbances, suicidal thoughts.
Causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder
The causes of this disease are not yet very well known, but the different studies agree that the decrease in light intensity during the winter period has important effects in this health disorder. As temperatures drop, we spend more time indoors, and consequently, we are exposed to less sunlight. Various studies show that this "deficiency" of light disrupts the activity in our brain of serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood management.
Light is an essential lux
The Lux, is the unit of measurement of the illumination received by a surface and seen by the human eye. It is in summer that the luminous flux is the most important, sunlight is about 120,000 lux. In winter, the light intensity rarely exceeds 10,000 lux, and can drop below 2,000 lux in gloomy weather. By way of comparison, the luminous flux of a well-lit office is 500 lux, that of the moon is about 1 lux. When winter arrives, the amount of light we receive is thus divided by 1,000 !
Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder
If you think you may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), we recommend that you consult your doctor who will be able to advise you on how to improve your mood and your quality of life when the brightness decreases with the change of seasons :
- Get out and expose yourself to natural light as much as possible, preferably in the morning.
- Move around, play sports, and outdoors is even better.
- Use a light therapy lamp for 20 to 30 minutes every day.
- Antidepressants may be prescribed by a doctor when symptoms are too intense.
CBD and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
CBD (cannabidiol) is a molecule derived from industrial hemp (Cannabis Sativa). Cannabis is a family of plants grouping 3 subgenera :
- Cannabis Sativa, the industrial hemp very rich in CBD
- Cannabis Indica, poor in CBD and rich in THC, psychotropic because of THC, it is illegal to possess and sell it.
- Cannabis Ruderalis, low in CBD and THC
The CBD has been the subject of numerous studies in recent years because of its great therapeutic potential :
- CBD acts as a fast-acting antidepressant by amplifying the signaling pathways used by serotonin, according to a study by the University of Cantabria (Spain, 2015).
- CBD acts as antidepressants according to an Isrelinne study published in 2016.
- Cannabidiol decreases anxiety. (Campos et al. 2012, Elbatsh et al. 2012).