Ah, winter! There will always be something magical about winter and how snow covers the land in a glittering, fluffy, white blanket. But love or hate this season, winter always comes with a few common ailments. From dry skin to aching joints, they can definitely take the fun out of the season.
Lotions, creams, and balms can keep these away. But there’s one product that can help with all of these common winter problems — CBD oil.
Let’s discuss below some of the common health problems associated with the winter season and how CBD oil can help you weather through them.
1. Improve Dry Skin and Chapped Lips
Dry skin and chapped lips are two very common problems during the winter season. The dry, cold air not only pulls moisture (water and oil) from your skin and lips but also dehydrates them. The severe climate conditions can cause dry skin and chapped lips (the latter may sometimes crack and even bleed).
Applying CBD oil on exposed skin areas and rubbing it on the lips can help control skin issues. According to Cedars-Sinai Cosmetic Dermatology Program, this non-psychoactive cannabinoid helps hydrate the skin and protect it from drying and cracking.
CBD’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties may also help relieve pain, soreness, and swelling caused by cracked skin and chapped lips.
2. Relieve Seasonal Affective Disorder
The Canadian Mental Health Association states that about 2% to 3% of Canadians develop the seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The symptoms of depression and anxiety usually start in the fall and then worsen as winter progresses.
The cause of SAD remains unknown, but experts believe that the lack of sunlight contributes to its development. Genes also seem to be a contributing factor. Neurotransmitter imbalance has also been implicated in the development of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. And stabilizing their levels help improve symptoms.
Several studies have already shown that CBD has mood-improving properties. It stimulates many receptors responsible for mood and emotion control. The activation of these receptors not only triggers the release of happy hormones but also helps stabilize brain chemical imbalance.
3. Reduce Joint and Muscle Pain and Stiffness
Winter seems to aggravate joint and muscle pain and stiffness caused by arthritis and previous tissue injuries. According to WebMD, nerves found in weakened bones and cartilages become more sensitive to changes in barometric pressure. The cold temperature also makes the joint fluids thicker. It also makes the scars from previous muscle, tendon, or ligament injuries painfully contract and expand. All these can worsen your joint and muscle problems, resulting in pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility.
As mentioned earlier, CBD has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It interacts with several receptors that modulate pain perception. CBD can also decrease swelling by activating the cannabinoid receptor type 2, the cannabinoid receptor responsible for immune control. These effects can help address joint and muscle problems associated with the cold season.
Using CBD muscle and joint sticks on affected areas can help reduce pain, control swelling, and improve mobility.
4. Boost Immune System
Have you ever wondered why it’s easier to catch a cold virus during winter? According to Harvard Health Publishing, the cold temperature, coupled with less exposure to sunlight, can affect our vitamin D levels. Low vitamin D levels weaken our immune response, making us more susceptible to common viruses that cause colds, coughs, and flu.
The cold temperature also affects the cellular linings of our airways. It reduces the production of interferons, a signaling protein released by our cells in response to pathogens like viruses. With lower interferon levels, our immune system can’t adequately detect, isolate, and eradicate these pathogens, resulting in the progression of symptoms.
These pathogens spread easier when the temperature is low and the air is dry and frigid. And because we’re forced to stay indoors more to escape the cold, we become more vulnerable to these viruses circulating inside closed rooms.
Using CBD oil helps improve our immune response. When our immune system is underperforming, CBD helps keep it active by stimulating the endocannabinoid system, especially the cannabinoid receptor type 2.
CBD also functions as an antioxidant. Not only can CBD neutralize free radicals, but it can also help fight against pathogens. It can also help protect our healthy cells from the damages caused by pathogens.
5. Promote Better Sleep
The shorter days and longer nights during the winter season disrupt our circadian rhythm. We have more trouble falling and staying asleep or we tend to oversleep as our body adjusts to less sunlight. Either way, we wake up more tired and drowsier than usual.
In people with existing mood and sleep problems, the winter season could also easily worsen their symptoms.
CBD oil helps promote better sleep by addressing some of the factors that affect sleep in the first place. It reduces pain and swelling, and it also helps improve mood. CBD also calms the mind and relaxes the muscles, prepping us for a healthier, restful sleep. According to a study, CBD may help people deal with sleep problems like insomnia.
Where to Buy CBD Oil in Canada
CBD oil can help you get through these common symptoms associated with the winter season. It can reduce your joint and muscle problems worsened by the cold temperature, and it can also improve your sleep and boost your immune system. Using CBD oil can also protect your skin from dry, frigid air.
You’ll find CBD oil in many local dispensaries, but if you’re after premium-grade ones, then buy CBD oil in Canada online where you’ll have more brand choices like our ICARIA. ICARIA offers laboratory-tested CBD oils and topical CBD, the certificates of analysis of which can be seen on our website.
ICARIA sources its CBD from 100% organic, all-natural industrial hemp grown in Northern America, so rest assured that our products don’t contain artificial pesticides and fertilizers. They’re also THC-free, so you don’t have to worry about our CBD oil triggering psychoactive or mind-altering effects.
To know more about our CBD products, you may send us a message through our website’s Contact Us page. We’d love to help you find the best CBD oil and topical for your needs.
