Can Cannabis Help With My Seasonal Depression?

The weather and the foliage on the trees aren’t the only things that change this time of year. As the sun sets earlier and earlier, the decline in sunlight can affect people’s moods. This is often referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and can make the winter months miserable for many people.

Fortunately for those suffering from SAD, there are numerous remedies that can make this time of year more bearable. Exercise, vitamin supplements and even cannabis can have a huge impact on fighting the disease. While there are resources to compensate for the disruption, a full understanding of the problem is of the utmost importance in order to overcome it.

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Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder

One of the most important steps in fighting SAD is properly identifying the symptoms. Some of these symptoms are:

• anxiety
• Social withdrawal
• Drowsiness and tiredness
• Weight gain
• Suicidal thoughts
• And several Other

Those who have any of these symptoms should refrain from self-diagnosis and seek professional help. This professional help could lead to more resources to combat the disorder, such as prescribing antidepressants.

How common is seasonal affective disorder?

In recent years, more and more people suffering from seasonal affective disorder have begun to open up to their struggles. An estimated 10 million Americans are said to be act currently by SAD. Further research shows that women are four times more likely to be diagnosed with the disease than men. SAD also appears in people with pre-existing mental illness like bipolar disorder.

RELATED: 5 Signs You Might Have Seasonal Depression

The number of people suffering from seasonal depression around the world is slightly lower than in the United States. Just about 1-2% of the world population reportedly suffering from seasonal depression while approximately 5% of the US population has SAD.

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How to Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder

There are a number of proven ways to balance the sadness that comes with the changing of the seasons. For example, cannabis contains cannabinoids that can have a positive effect on mood while potentially increasing Serotonin levels. When it comes to reducing anxiety, CBD comes into play. By working with our body’s endocannabinoid system, CBD has been recognized as a was instrumental in increasing dopamine Levels.

RELATED: 5 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues This Year

Aside from cannabis, there are a handful of other home methods that can help relieve symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Spending more time with friends, family, and loved ones can be very effective in relieving some symptoms of SAD. The same goes for the effort of getting plenty of sunlight and regular exercise.

Ultimately, seasonal affective disorder can set in as quickly and seamlessly as the fall foliage on the trees outside. Knowing that you are not alone and have the best practices to combat it can make the fall and winter months better than you could ever have imagined.