If you tend to feel tired and unmotivated for half the year, it might be more than just a case of the winter blues. People across the country experience seasonal affective disorder (or SAD, fittingly) in the winter months, but it’s especially common for those in northern states with shorter, colder, sunless days.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by reduced sunlight exposure, primarily during fall and winter months. The lack of natural light can disrupt the body's internal clock and hinder serotonin production—the hormone responsible for regulating mood and well-being. When this balance is thrown off, it can lead to more than just seasonal blues, causing symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, weight gain, and difficulty concentrating, making daily life feel more challenging.
What are Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms?
Feeling like you’ve hit snooze on life all winter long? You’re not alone. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can bring on a mix of symptoms that go beyond the usual winter blues. You might find yourself extra tired no matter how much you sleep or feeling more irritable than usual. Other common signs include trouble focusing, low energy, and a general lack of motivation—kind of like your brain is running on low battery. If winter has you feeling sluggish, unmotivated, or just not quite yourself, SAD might be the culprit.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatments
Traditional treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) often include light therapy and medication, but for a more natural approach, cannabis can be a game-changer. Members of the Ooze team report that it promotes restful sleep, cannabis can help improve energy levels throughout the day while also regulating mood swings and enhancing focus. The right strains can provide a much-needed boost, bringing warmth and motivation to even the darkest winter days. Here are our top 10 strains to help brighten your mood and keep the seasonal blues at bay.
The Top 10 Strains for Mood-Boosting
1. Tang Tang
This sativa dominant strain is great for a wake-and-bake. If you have a busy day ahead of you and no motivation to do anything, Tang Tang provides a euphoric feeling that will get you excited for just about anything.
2. Pineapple Express
Just like the comedy, Pineapple Express is sure to cheer you up any time. It’s an energizing hybrid strain that gives you a boost of creativity while keeping you focused. It’s a long-lasting, cerebral high that has a smooth comedown, perfect for treating depression or anxiety.
3. Durban Poison
Durban Poison is a popular strain for combatting anxiety due to it’s energizing, but not over-stimulating, qualities. Instead of just lying around on your day off, you might be inspired to create a new recipe, paint a canvas, or call up your friends for a chat.
4. Ginger Snap
A dab of Ginger Snap Diamonds is like having an energy drink! These little diamonds give you a boost when you need it most. Plus, if you’re feeling unmotivated, there’s no cleanup involved with this concentrate because it won’t leave your dabber sticky.
5. Jack Herer
This potent sativa strain is great when you need to take the edge off but want to remain clear-headed. Users have described it’s effects and calm and blissful but still motivating.
6. Lemon Swirl
This sugar wax strain delivers a blast of sweet, pine and citrusy flavor that’ll perk you right up. With the clarity, relief and calmness it evokes, Lemon Swirl is also perfect for morning dabbers.
7. Sour Diesel
After a long, stressful day, sometimes you need something hard-hitting. This cross between Chemdawg and Super Skunk has dreamy and euphoric cerebral effects that that will immediately help you unwind.
8. Maui Wowie
Breathe a sigh of relief, because this Maui Wowie concentrate is like dabbing sunshine. If you’re in a winter funk, this strain will bring you back to life like a long vacation.
9. Green Crack
When you feel like you’re just dragging through the days, Green Crack will bring sharp focus and energy back. This makes it a great daytime strain that will kick depression to the curb.
10. Sourdough Kush
Ready to lighten the mood? Sourdough Kush makes users feel giggly and excited, which is sometimes all you need to get out of the winter blues.
Find the Right Strain for You
If you’re looking for a natural solution for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) symptoms, look no further than these strains. Cannabis can be more effective and even more economical than medications, so try a few in a freshly cleaned bong or dry herb vape and see the improvement in your SAD symptoms. Browse our curated collection of dry herb vapes to enhance your experience.
