Some types of depression follow a seasonal pattern and manifests because of the environmental changes or the winter months. They are known as seasonal depression and can make you feel less animated during the colder seasons. Not seeing the sun for long durations causes a chemical effect on our body and mind. Exposure of the eyes to sunlight, helps in the release of serotonin, the feel good hormone.
During winter with darker nights and less sunshine, people experience a plunge in their serotonin production and a surge in their melatonin which results in seasonal depression or a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD). An ideal supplement for treating people experiencing seasonal depression and effective in handling the numerous symptoms linked with the disorder is the plant derived medicinal compound CBD.This is a safer and natural alternative to antidepressant medications prescribed for seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder.
What Seasonal Depression Means
This kind of depression emerges in specific seasons of the year and many people experience seasonal depression symptoms beginning in the fall and worsening during the winter months, though some people experience a summer version. This disorder makes people experience mood alterations and depressive symptoms.
Symptoms Associated With Seasonal Depression
The symptoms of seasonal depression can be overwhelming and disturbing and can intervene with daily activities. Common symptoms of seasonal depression includes:
- Fatigue and weariness even after excessive sleeping
- Weight gain due to overeating and cravings for carbohydrates
Seasonal depression symptoms can fluctuate between mild to acute and can include symptoms that are close to major depression like:
- Experiencing sadness or being in a depressed mood
- Significant lack of interest or pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyed
- Frequent oversleeping and marked changes in sleeping patterns
- Rise in restless activity like pacing and constant twisting of the hand or slowed motion and speech
- Feeling worthless
- Problems focusing or making decisions
- Suicidal thoughts
- Heaviness in legs and arms
CBD Can Aid In Naturally Relieving Seasonal Depression
Seasonal depression can make you experience a raised level of anxiety. The anxiolytic properties of CBD is critical in alleviating anxiety disorders and it works upon the endocannabinoid receptors and increases the transmission of CB1 receptors, which impacts anxiety levels.
Helps In Restoring Energy Levels
Research has exhibited a close association between a regulated endocannabinoid system and levels of energy. CBD helps in regulating the endocannabinoid system and keep the energy level restored when Seasonal Depression affects.
CBD Influences Your Brain Activity
In a similar way, like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), CBD can improve signaling through serotonin receptors. CBD can influence brain activity and can help in releasing serotonin and dopamine all over the body. CBD works like a powerful antidepressant and balances the brain chemicals and functions as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. By augmenting the levels of serotonin within the brain, CBD helps to bolster positive mood and feel good factor. Insomnia and stress are the two primary signs of seasonal depression that can be treated with CBD. Besides, this plant compound can also cure physiological manifestations of anxiety such as nervousness, tremors and raised heart rate.
CBD Reduces Subjective Anxiety
Scientific research has proven the efficiency of CBD in regulating social anxiety disturbances as they work upon the limbic and paralimbic areas of the brain. This aids in improving the tendency of social withdrawal which is characteristic of seasonal depression.
Conclusion
CBD has a vast repository of therapeutic properties from being an anxiolytic, a relaxing sedative, antidepressant, anti inflammatory, and a natural analgesic. By regulating the biochemical imbalances in the brain and bolstering mood, CBD helps to cope with seasonal depression and anxiety related disorders and can trigger anti-panic effects by activating 5-HT1A receptors which are integral to regulating emotional response to stress and depression.
