One third of the Canadians will suffer from one or more symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) this Winter and will remain untreated. SAD is a form of depression that surfaces in the Fall and Winter months reoccurring at the same time every year, symptoms can be experienced into the Summer months as well. Weather, debt, Christmas, motivation levels and time since New Year’s resolutions were made, have led us through the most depressing month of the year, (Monday of the Months if you wish to call it). January entailed both Blue Monday and Bell “Let’s Talk” (January 29, 2020).
Those experiencing SAD will experience a chemical decrease in Serotonin (5HT), Norepinephrine (NE) and Dopamine (DA). Patients may experience changes in sleep patterns, loss of interest in things they usually enjoy, decreased concentration, lack of energy and motivation, lack of libido and in severe cases suicidal ideation. The most vulnerable population is adolescents with the risk decreasing in age, those who have a family history or other forms of depressions are also at risk.
Standard Treatment
- Light therapy. Growing Cannabis = Grow happiness. The bright lights offer the same spectrum of blue and white as the sun – triggers serotonin production
- Exercise; Can release endocannabinoids
- Minimize Carbohydrates
- Talk Therapy: Seek Help – ECT, rTMS, MST individually or in combination
- Increase Vitamin D intake (with advice of healthcare practitioner)
- Establish a Sleep Routine (put down the screens!)
- Aromatherapy (avoid plug in fresheners)
And Medication – Today we focus on Cannabis!
What we Know About Cannabis.
When treating with pharmaceuticals the goal is to increase the production of Serotonin, Norepinephrine and Dopamine.
Based on studies some have shown cannabinoids to elicit anti-depressant like behavior and activate serotonergic neurons through the medical prefrontal cortex. https://www.jneurosci.org/content/27/43/11700. In another study it had shown to assist with Dopamine transmission, it did not demonstrate an increase in Dopamine production, but increased uptake on receptors. THC increased Norepinephrine uptake and concentration within the prefrontal cortex, Norepinephrine is a precursor to Dopamine. *https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006899305004488. At low doses (micro-dosing) of Cannabis, cannabis stimulated the raphe nucleus, which stimulated the release of Dopamine. CBD attaching to CBD2 receptors provide anti-depressant effects.
How Can Cannabis Help?
Based on Canada House educator and patient reports a healthy balanced intake of both THC and CBD are required to control the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Patients who had shown success utilized the following treatments.
- High concentrations of CBD
- CBDa utilized along side CBD oil in 1:4 ratios
- Micro-dosing with THC (once daily in the evening)
- Increased exercise – Enhances the uptake of Phytocannabinoid and the natural activity of the Endocannabinoid System.
- Avoided or minimized sedating terpenes (Myrcene, Terpineol, Linalool) and selected energizing (Pinene, Limoene)
Seasonal Affective Disorder has many different symptoms that can be treated with medical cannabis. Being able to treat my specific symptoms through different cannabinoid and terpene content, greatly improves my symptom relief increasing my quality of life. Talk to your healthcare practitioner about Cannabis as an alternative to conventional treatments. Canada House helps renew lives. Start with yours.