CBD Massages: Do They Really Work?

Massage therapy has been in the traditions and cultures of many ancient civilizations and has been around for thousands of years. CBD massage, on the other hand, is relatively new. However, based on the popularity of CBD and the rave about its analgesic and relaxing effects, we foresee these kinds of massages to stick around for a long time.

What is it?

A CBD massage actually makes a lot of sense since CBD can be absorbed through the skin and act locally. Therefore, CBD-infused oils and creams will have a greater relaxing effect compared to regular massage oils. The massage style can be any style that the masseuse is proficient at. Since people use CBD both for training recovery and simply to relax and unwind, massage styles can vary. Painful Thai massages, pressure point-specific therapeutic massages or Rolfing using CBD oils and creams may still be just as painful as a massage without CBD, but you may get an analgesic effect afterward.

For those who enjoy going to places like Burke Williams to get a “relaxing” massage, CBD massages are even more perfect for you. The CBD oil is absorbed through the skin, relaxing the areas where stress-related “knots” are. This helps the masseuse relax sore and tight spots more effectively with less pressure, so the overall massage experience is much more pleasant.

What are the Benefits of Getting A CBD Massage?

In animal studies, CBD is known to reduce inflammation and pain ¹.  Massages have been used for everything from improving blood circulation, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and digestive issues. It can also bring pain relief to assist those with insomnia to get better sleep. The combination of these 2 modes of relaxation, healing, and physical therapy makes perfect sense. Additionally, in another animal study which we’ve mentioned in Pain Relief for Rats Using CBD Study and How It Might Apply to Humans seems to confirm CBD’s powerful effects on pain and inflammation caused by tissue damage via an incision.

A CBD massage would naturally amplify the positive effects of massage therapy by providing more pain relief and a reduction in inflammation to the areas being worked on.

What Exactly Happens To Your Body When You Get a CBD Massage?

The skin is the body’s largest organ and has its own immune system, hormone, and steroid producing glands, as well as its own endocannabinoid system. The skin produces endocannabinoid molecules such as anandamide (AEA) and 2-AG which are released depending on the needs of the skin. There are also receptors for endocannabinoids (CB1 and CB2) which are present in many of the cells of the skin.

When the CBD infused cream or oils are absorbed through the skin during a massage, the cells and cannabinoid receptors in the areas where you are getting a massage are activated. Since the skin has a very good capacity to process cannabinoids through the skin ², the cannabinoids can assist with pain relief and inflammation of the skin. Small amounts of CBD absorbed through the skin and bloodstream allows you to feel its effects. This may be a blissful feeling of relaxation. For others, it may be a feeling of relief from pain, soreness, and inflammation.

What To Look For When Getting a CBD Massage

Make sure you are getting your money’s worth!

Because our skin acts as a protective layer for our body and deters most substances from entering, liberal amounts of oils or creams should be applied. Those CBD infused substances should have a good percentage of CBD oil infused in them. When visiting a massage place, you may want to find out how much CBD you are actually getting. Don’t be shy to ask the business or masseuse what the brand of CBD oil or CBD cream they will use for the massage beforehand so you can look up the actual percentage of CBD contained in the product. You should also ask them approximately how much they apply per massage.

1. Hammell, D.C. et al. (2015 Oct 30). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. Eur J Pain. 2016 Jul; 20(6): 936–948. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/.
2. Caterina, M.J. (2014 Jun 10). TRP Channel Cannabinoid Receptors in Skin Sensation, Homeostasis, and Inflammation. ACS Chemical Neuroscience. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4240254/.