What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

If you have not heard of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), you likely live in a temperate climate. Here in Michigan, we are well acquainted with how the weather can impact your mental health or mood in general. This disorder is a specific type of depression that changes depending on the seasons, worsening during the colder months.

Michigan daylight is an average of just 3-4 hours per day in the winter and 9-10 hours per day during the summer. While that may not sound like a drastic difference, it is hard to not feel the difference sunlight makes. Those working a traditional 9-5 job (myself included) can leave for work before the sun rises and the sunlight will already be gone by the end of the work day.

While fall & winter seasonal affective disorder is most common in Michigan, spring & summer seasonal affective disorder is also a concern. Both forms of seasonal affective disorder are prevalent and have different symptoms to note. If you believe that either of these forms of depression applies to you, please consult a mental health professional.

Symptoms for fall & winter SAD are as follows:

• Oversleeping
• Appetite changes, often craving carbohydrates
• Weight gain
• Lack of energy

Symptoms for spring & summer SAD are as follows:

• Insomnia
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss
• Agitation or anxiety

These symptoms, in conjunction with traditional depression symptoms, are more than just a “seasonal funk” and need to be treated seriously. I cannot express enough, if you feel like this, please seek and accept help. You don’t deserve to feel like this and you don’t have to.

Can CBD Help?

While seeking the help of a mental health professional is paramount, there may be some benefits to taking CBD during your rough months. Seasonal affective disorder does have an off-season; during that down period, CBD might aid in keeping you on a level playing field. We are not doctors and cannot give medical advice, but studies have found that CBD may be beneficial for anxiety, depression, and general mood stabilization.

Isolate CBD vs Whole Plant

The processing level of the CBD you take can have a huge impact on the relief that you do or don’t find. There can be a right and a wrong answer when buying CBD and for mood stabilization, we always recommend an isolate. An isolate product means that there is just that 1 CBD compound instead of the 100+ compounds in the whole plant. Isolates tend to cross the blood-brain barrier a little easier, as there is no other plant matter in the way, potentially offering more relief.

Product Recommendations

We carry a lot of different isolate products that may help you. An internal product, that is something you digest, will store in your lipids (fat cells) and work for you all day long. We always recommend an internal product and adding something known as a booster for fast relief. Boosters are water soluble and get into the bloodstream quickly, but they only last 2-6 hours, making them a good addition to an internal product for those days when you need a little extra.

Softgels

Social CBD Softgels

There are a few versions of these softgels that may help, but I would recommend the Boost softgels. Seasonal affective disorder is associated with increased lethargy, so the added herbs of yerba mate and moringa may be beneficial. These soft gel capsules are also 33mg of CBD isolate, and most people fall between 10-50mg needed daily, so this can be a good middle-of-the-road soft gel to help with mood stabilization.

Medterra CBD Softgels

If you’re looking for that mood stabilization without the additional herbs, the Medterra soft gel capsules are a perfect fit. They are just CBD isolate, MCT oil (coconut oil), and a little gelatin. These softgels come in either a 25mg, 50mg, or 100mg version so you can find the best serving size for you. Easy, simple, and effective.

Tinctures

Lazarus Blood Orange tincture

Tinctures can be awesome to give yourself more control over your serving size, but they don’t always have the best taste depending on the processing level. The Lazarus isolate tincture is blood orange-flavored and delightful. The light citrus notes are not too sweet or overpowering while still being flavorful and packed with 1500mg of CBD. You can take up to 50mgs a day and the bottle will still last you 30 days.

Medterra Tincture

If you want something unflavored, the Medterra unflavored tincture is the way to go. The MCT oil-based tincture is truly flavorless, it’s almost like taking water, but with a lot of CBD packed in. The tinctures range from 1000mg to 3000mg, giving you a plethora of serving-size options. When addressing mood concerns like seasonal affective disorder, higher serving sizes are often needed, making the 3000mg tincture a great fit.

Gummies

Lazarus Energy Gummies

The Lazarus energy gummies are isolated CBD and have additives like vitamin B12, caffeine, and L-Theanine to help get you through the day. These 25mg gummies are blackberry flavored and come with 40 gummies per container. Seasonal affective disorder can make you feel robbed of your energy, so these gummies are intended to help you get some of that energy back.

WYLD CBD Gummies 

The WYLD CBG gummies might be a great fit for seasonal affective disorder. CBG is a cannabinoid associated with mental clarity, along with many other benefits, in addition to the 20mg of CBD per gummy may be a great fit. The pear-flavored gummies are delicious and spot an additional 10mg of CBG, making these 30mg gummies a good strength.

Boosters

Lazarus Fruit Tarts 

For those moments when you need to find relief fast and can’t wait the 2 hours for your body to digest CBD ingestible, these 25mg fruit tarts are a great option. The flavorful tarts offer fast relief through the membranes in your cheek and allow you to get back to living life. In either mango, strawberry lemon, raspberry lime, or pineapple orange, there are flavor profiles for every palate.

Medterra Keep Calm Gum

If something tart and fruity is not your jam, then the Medterra gum will be a perfect alternative for fast relief. Just chew on this mint-flavored gum and find relief from 20mg of CBD, vitamin B6, L-Theanine, and L-Tyrosine. Some CBD gums have an abnormal texture, but this gum is like any other pack except it might offer more relief from stress and anxiety, common struggles with seasonal affective disorder.

Tell Us How You Feel

When struggling with your mental health is often difficult and isolating, know that you are not alone. 211 is always a resource for mental health. 211 conversations are confidential and can be made anonymously. Seasonal affective disorder can be overwhelming, so let us know if we can help. You can reach out to us at 866-244-4223 toll-free and by email at support@greenwellnesslife.com.

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