As the sun sets on warmer weather, it’s time to start prepping for the cold. As you start to pull out the hoodies and boots you may also want to think about adding CBD to your cold weather arsenal.

From dry skin to joint pain and even that dreaded winter cold, using CBD in the winter has a ton of benefits you may not be aware of—yet. CBD works with the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS), a group of receptors in our bodies’ central nervous system that specifically interact with cannabinoids (like CBD) to maintain homeostasis throughout the body. The ECS supports a healthy physical and mental balance—especially important in the winter months.  

So how does CBD benefit us in the colder seasons? We’ve gathered information on the top five ways to prep for fall and winter with CBD.

1. CBD for low mood and winter blues

The longer nights, lack of sunlight and lowered exposure to Vitamin D all have negative  impacts on our mood. In fact, 2-3% of the Canadian population also suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in the winter months. This type of depression is common and can usually be treated naturally with light therapy, Vitamin D supplements and exercise to help boost those natural endorphins. If you experience symptoms of SAD such as poor sleep, moodiness, or lack of energy beyond the winter months, it may be best to seek professional medical help. SAD is very common among adults and can be treated naturally—in fact, CBD helps with moodiness, anxiety and lack of sleep in the colder months thanks to its ability to interact with the body’s ECS as mentioned above.

As the central nervous system helps regulate our body’s hormones (such as cortisol, the stress hormone, or melatonin, the sleep hormone) CBD works with the ECS to regulate hormone-related issues. This is one of the reasons why CBD is so effective for those who suffer from anxiety and sleep disorders. By creating that feeling of homeostasis for mental and physical balance, CBD helps to relax the body and mind, making sleep easier to achieve and keeping low mood, anxiety and depression at bay for more rest.

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2. CBD for flu and colds

Boosting the immune system is a safe and sure way to help protect from common illnesses like flus and colds. A healthy diet, vitamins, and exercise are all known to contribute to a healthy immune system. In the winter when we are also fighting the weather elements to try and stay healthy, CBD can help. The body’s ECS goes beyond just the central and peripheral nervous systems – it also impacts parts of our digestive and immune systems. When consuming cannabidiol or CBD oil, the compound interacts directly with the ECS receptors, helping to stimulate the body’s immune system among others. Adding CBD Oil or other ingestibles such as CBD capsules and gummies may give your body that extra boost to help fight off the common winter cold and flu. For a more comprehensive guide on how to use CBD during flu season, check out our article on CBD For Flu Season Survival. 

3. CBD for muscle and joint pain

Do you ever feel stiff when rising from bed in the winter, or hear your joints get ‘creaky’? You’re not the only one… Joint pain is compounded in the cold winter months when the change in atmospheric pressure can cause tendons, muscles and surrounding tissues to expand or become inflamed. CBD is a common and proven treatment for joint and chronic pain and is widely used among those who suffer from arthritis and inflammation.

CBD is believed to work well to treat joint pain because of the interaction between CBD and the ECS that causes the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects that are often associated with this natural product. Researchers believe that the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can help relieve joint and muscle pain, as well as other symptoms that are often associated with arthritis. Even if you don’t suffer from chronic joint pain or arthritis, using CBD in the winter can help treat sore joints and relieve inflammation due to cold weather. Think of CBD and other cannabinoids as natural alternatives to over the counter drugs often used to treat this pain, such as ibuprofen and other synthetic anti-inflammatories (i.e. Asprin, or Advil).

The best CBD oil products for pain management are full spectrum CBD oils as they contain the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes that work together to achieve pain relieving effects – whether it’s your joints or migraines and headaches, full spectrum CBD can help you manage pain throughout all seasons.

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4. Full spectrum CBD to boost your immune system

The type of CBD you consume can also impact the type of benefits your body will retain as well as the boost your immune system will need in the colder months. Full spectrum CBD, for example, is a ‘whole plant’ extract that contains not only CBD, but all of the other cannabinoids, amino acids and essential oils found within the plant.  These compounds have various benefits and work together to produce what is commonly known as the “entourage effect”, which essentially means an increase in efficacy.

Studies have shown that full spectrum CBD products also offer higher levels of relief from inflammation, pain and anxiety, as compared to other types of CBD like CBD Isolate products. 

When considering CBD for winter, do some research on the type of CBD that would work best for the ailments you’re trying to treat. If naturally boosting your overall immune system is your goal, full spectrum CBD products may best help you achieve the benefits you’re looking for in the winter months.

5. CBD for dry skin

Dry skin, inflammation and other skin issues such as eczema can flare up in the winter months. The body’s ECS supports the skin’s homeostasis to keep it healthy and balanced. If the ECS isn’t receiving the necessary support then neither is your skin, which can result in irritated or itchy skin. Inflammation on the skin can appear in different ways, such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea – all of which are impacted by the cold, dry atmosphere. As such, reducing inflammation is key in the winter months and also where CBD can help. It is important to note that inflammation is the body’s immune-response to foreign substances entering the body. Certain non-inflammatory agents, such asCBD, can be highly effective in treating various skin issues by migrating immune cells that cause these irritations and inflammation. 

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When CBD is applied topically it penetrates both the dermal and subdermal layers of the skin and is recommended for the skin ailments mentioned above. CBD topicals come in different forms; when treating dry or inflamed skin, look for what kind of CBD is used and any other ingredients in the product that can help treat your skin. CBD lotions and gels are usually water-based, which allow for quick absorption into the skin. CBD creams and CBD salves, on the other hand, are oil based and promote a deeper penetration into the skin.

CBD topicals may also contain other ingredients or bases commonly found in creams and lotions. such as vitamin E, coconut oil, MCT oil or shea butter—all nourishing ingredients that help to smooth and moisturize the skin, especially in the winter months. resolveCBD Pain Cream, for instance, includes ingredients that moisturize and soothe your skin such as shea butter and jojoba oil. Our cream is primarily water-based, though it also contains oils to promote the binding and homogeneous blending of CBD within =other ingredients. 

CBD for Winter

While these are some of the most common winter-induced challenges our bodies go through in the winter, CBD has the type of benefits that last all year long. Whether it’s to reduce pain, improve sleep, relieve anxiety, or treat inflamed, itchy skin, incorporating CBD products into your health routine won’t just give your body a boost in the winter but may just create a lasting benefit throughout the seasons.