CBD Oil and Massages: Good or Bad?

For many people, the word massage brings to mind feeling relaxed and at peace with the world. A massage can help to relax both the body and mind, leaving one feeling less stressed and more invigorated.

A massage can become a lifeline for people who experience chronic pain, as it offers them relief from the constant discomfort they experience. A massage relieves their aching muscles and joints.

Right now, everyone is talking about CBD, some touting it as a miracle cure for everything, from acne to anxiety. While it seems that CBD has a lot of healing properties, scientists have only touched the tip of the iceberg as far as studying them is concerned. But many people have found that including CBD oil in their massage makes the results even better than before.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol is a compound found in plants that belong to the cannabis family. Don’t be put off by the word cannabis, because it’s not what you’re thinking. If a mental picture of teenagers stoned on pot is what you saw when you read cannabis, let’s set the record straight.

The compound in the cannabis plant that causes the ‘high’ is tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC. THC has mood-altering properties, and it is believed to be habit-forming. It is found in high concentrations in the marijuana plant, which contains very little CBD.

CBD is found in high concentrations in the hemp plant, which contains minimal THC, so using CBD won’t get you stoned. CBD is harvested from the leaves of the hemp plant, and should not be confused with hemp seed oil, which comes from the plant’s seeds.

As the law currently stands, legal CBD products must be produced from hemp, and there should be less than 0.3% of THC in them. This is the federal law, and state laws may differ, so it’s essential to know the legal requirements in your state of residence.

Why you should add CBD to your massage

1. CBD is an anti-inflammatory

You’ve probably wound up on the massage table more than once because of stiff muscles that won’t relax and are very painful. The stiffness and discomfort are more often than not the result of inflammation.

Inflammation is the body’s response to an injury or infection, and it tells the immune system that reparative action is needed. This could be caused by friction within the joints due to damaged cartilage and bones, or it could be because of an injury to the muscle.

Blood vessels in the affected area dilate, allowing a larger blood supply, packed with the cells needed to heal the injury. This is why inflammation is characterized by redness and swelling. When someone has inflammation, they are usually prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs.

However, it seems that CBD might be able to do the job just as well as these medications. CBD works hand-in-hand with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a mechanism in the body that produces compounds called endocannabinoids. The endocannabinoids work with receptors in the body, all in an effort to bring about a state of balance called homeostasis. A part of achieving homeostasis is getting the nervous and muscle systems into a state of equilibrium by reducing inflammation.

2. CBD can help you relax

The endocannabinoid system’s function includes helping to maintain optimal hormone levels. There are thousands of hormones in the body, and some of them govern your stress responses.

Among them is cortisol, which controls your fight, flight, or fright response when you perceive a threat to your physical, emotional, or mental well-being. The neurotransmitter serotonin acts as a hormone when it is outside the brain, which produces it. Serotonin governs your overall sense of emotional well-being and is known as the ‘feel-good’ hormone.

By working with the endocannabinoid system, CBD can help your body lower its cortisol levels and raise its serotonin levels. This will help you to feel more relaxed and less anxious.

3. Don’t let it get under your skin

When it comes to massage, the best part about using CBD is that it’s applied topically, so it doesn’t enter the bloodstream. Studies into how CBD interacts with medications for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and depression are ongoing, and your doctor might caution you against ingesting it.

4. Choose wisely

Not all CBD oil products are the same, and the quality will vary from one manufacturer to another. The best oils come from hemp plants that are grown organically and producers who don’t use harmful chemicals during the extraction process.

Before you buy CBD massage oil or go for a CBD massage, do some research about the different products available. Good manufacturers disclose their ingredients, have third-party authenticating certificates, and have an established presence in the market. To feel the maximum effects, you need high-quality CBD products, which might cost a little more than others.