Holiday Blues: Finding Relief for Seasonal Depression
The holiday season is upon us, with Christmas songs suddenly ringing in the air, every store festively decorated and people buzzing about, preparing for the big day. Crowds, lines, bright colors and twinkling lights; there seems to be that “holiday cheer” everywhere you turn. But are you feeling the holiday spirit?
For a lot of people, the holiday season can actually carry more stress, anxiety, depression and for various reasons, like stress at work, lack of money, lack of time, a dysfunctional family, the pressure to buy gifts, the pressure to entertain or even feeling lonely. If you haven’t been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, and you are feeling down right now you may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder (SAD), in which case you really do have a case of the “holiday blues”. You’re not alone!
Survey Says…
In August of 2019, we sent a survey to our Canna West customers. We wanted to learn how and why our customers use cannabis and if it’s effective for their purposes. The feedback would be used to guide us in purchasing the right products.
A total of 445 Canna West customers participated in this anonymous survey and the results were telling! We learned how effective cannabis is for treating their anxiety, depression and even pain (reports suggest chronic pain can cause depression).
48% Suffer from Generalized Anxiety
41% Suffer from Depression
Of the 445 survey participants, when asked if they’ve been diagnosed or suffer from certain conditions, 48% responded to having generalized anxiety, 22% social anxiety and 41% are suffering from depression. Those are really high numbers!
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depression often accompanies anxiety disorders. While depression and anxiety have different symptoms, some of the symptoms often overlap. So we asked our customers if they take prescription drugs for treating their condition(s) and 30% responded Yes, 51% No, 7% said Sometimes, and 12% responded they use to, but don’t anymore.
When asked if they want to replace, combine or continue using prescription drugs to treat their condition, the response:
- 18% No longer use prescription drugs.
- 32% Only use cannabis or CBD products.
- 18% Plan to continue using prescriptions.
- 18% Want to combine their prescription with cannabis or CBD.
- 10% Want to replace their prescription with cannabis or CBD.
- 4% Not sure how they want to treat their condition.
Diving deeper, we asked a few more questions “how often are you using cannabis or CBD and how effective is it”? The response: 24% Use several times a day. 21% use 2-3 times daily, 21% use once a day, 20% use a couple times a week, 10% use a couple times a month, and 4% only use CBD products.
The effectiveness of cannabis or CBD for treating their conditions? 46% responded “Very Effective”, 20% Mostly Effective, 17% Sometimes Effective, 4% weren’t sure if it was helping and less than 1% responded Barely Effective. Does this mean consumption of CBD or cannabis for depression or anxiety could be effective?
89% Experience Calming & Relaxation
73% Feel Happier or a Mood Boost
This is all really helpful information. Perhaps cannabis for depression could be beneficial, but to determine the best products to buy for our customers, we need to know what effects they’re experiencing.
What or how did they feel using cannabis?
- 60% Pain Relief
- 89% Calming/Relaxation
- 73% Happier/Mood Boost
- 24% Increased Energy
- 12% Increased Anxiety
- 2% Increased Depression
What did they feel when they consumed a CBD product?
- 60% Pain Relief
- 63% Calming/Relaxation
- 20% Happier/Mood Boost
- 7% Increased Energy
- <1% Increased Anxiety
- <1% Increased Depression
In summary, the results of our survey told us that nearly half of the survey participants suffered from anxiety or depression. The good news was that cannabis consumption provided 89% with calming/relaxation and 73% felt happier. In addition, CBD consumption resulted with 63% experiencing calming/relaxation and 20% feeling happier. Those numbers look promising! Perhaps consuming CBD and cannabis for depression and anxiety could be beneficial!
Bye Bye Anxiety & Depression! Goodbye Holiday Blues!
Top 20 Product Recommendations
Here are our Top 20 Product Recommendations to help you through the holiday season.
- The 1:1 CBD Fruit Jellies by Journeyman
- The 50:1 CBD Fruit Jellies by Journeyman
- Alki Sunset Pre Roll by Sky High Gardens
- Cakes N Cream by Sky High Gardens
- Quantum Gandalf Pre Roll By Experience Organics (EXO)
- Kimbo Kush Pre Roll By Experience Organics (EXO)
- Root Beer by Mary Mary Jones Soda 100mg 16oz
- BALANCE CBD Disposable Vape by MFUSED
- CBD Crystalline by Canna Organix
- Gelato 41 by Canna Organix
- Purple Punch x Chery Pie Kush Infused Blunt by Dabster
- Headless Horseman Infused Pre Roll by Dipt
- Canna Tsu x Redneck Wedding by Phat Panda
- Charlotte’s Web CBD Pre-Roll by Falcanna
- Double Durban THCV Pre-Roll by Falcanna
- Thin Mint Magic Pre-Roll by Captain Yeti
- Blackberry Kush Blended Botanical Pre-Roll by Everyday Mary Jane
- White Widow Blended Botanical Pre-Roll by Everyday Mary Jane
- Pineapple Upside-Down Cake by Equinox
- MK Ultra Live Resin Cartridge by Avitas
There are a ton of Holiday Sales happening at Canna West Seattle now through January 1st. PLUS we have Happy Hour 3x Daily with 20% OFF everything in store! Happy Hours are from 8-9am, 5-6pm and 10-11pm. Stop by the shop and one of our educated and friendly budtenders can help you find everything you need.
SHOP CANNA WEST AND PRE ORDER FOR PICK UP HERE >
—
