Seasonal Shifts: The Brain’s Dance with Anticipation, Dread, and Neurochemistry

Jessica Serre
Sep 8, 2025
2 min read

arching of leaves, multicoloured to signify the different seasons

As the Earth tilts and turns, the seasons roll in—sometimes with a gentle breeze, other times with a biting chill. For many, these transitions evoke excitement: cozy sweaters, blooming gardens, or sunlit adventures. For others, they bring dread: shorter days, disrupted routines, or emotional heaviness. But beneath our personal preferences lies a fascinating biological truth—our brains are wired to respond to seasonal change.

Anticipating vs. Dreading the Seasons

Our emotional response to seasonal transitions is deeply personal. Some people feel energized by spring’s renewal or autumn’s introspection. Others experience anxiety or sadness, especially during winter or extreme summer heat.

Anticipation often brings a dopamine surge—our brain’s reward chemical—linked to planning, novelty, and excitement.
Dread, on the other hand, can trigger cortisol (the stress hormone) and reduce serotonin, leading to low mood or fatigue.

These reactions aren’t just psychological—they’re physiological, shaped by light exposure, temperature, and our internal clocks.

Neurotransmitters in Seasonal Transition

Seasonal changes influence several key neurotransmitters:

1. Serotonin

Regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.
Decreases in winter due to reduced sunlight, contributing to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Sunlight boosts serotonin production, which is why spring and summer often feel more uplifting.

2. Melatonin

Controls sleep-wake cycles.
Increases during darker months, leading to sleepiness and lethargy.
Longer daylight in summer suppresses melatonin, promoting alertness.

3. Dopamine

Drives motivation, pleasure, and focus.
Seasonal light exposure can alter dopamine expression in the brain’s hypothalamic network.
Shorter days may reduce dopamine levels, affecting mood and cognitive performance.

4. GABA and Neuromedin S

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that calms the brain.
Neuromedin S (NMS), found in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), helps regulate circadian rhythms.
Seasonal shifts can cause neurotransmitter switching in the SCN, altering behavior and mood.

Environmental and Emotional Impact

Climate change is intensifying seasonal extremes, making summers hotter and winters more unpredictable. This can heighten emotional responses—especially dread. For example, wildfire smoke, heatwaves, and disrupted ecosystems are turning summer into a source of anxiety for some Canadians.

Meanwhile, the anticipation of seasonal change—like the first snowfall or spring bloom—can trigger emotional memories and cultural rituals that shape our mental state.

Coping with Seasonal Transitions

Whether you anticipate or dread the seasons, there are ways to support your mental health:

Light therapy: Proven to alleviate symptoms of SAD by boosting serotonin.
Exercise: Releases endorphins and dopamine, countering seasonal dips.
Routine: Helps stabilize circadian rhythms disrupted by seasonal shifts.
Mindfulness: Embracing seasonal change as part of nature’s rhythm can reduce resistance and anxiety.

Seasonal change is more than a shift in weather—it's a biological and emotional recalibration. Whether you greet each season with open arms or brace yourself against its arrival, your brain is adapting in remarkable ways. By understanding the neurochemical rhythms behind our reactions, we can approach each transition with greater compassion, curiosity, and resilience. After all, nature doesn’t ask us to be ready—it simply invites us to evolve.