I Took a Class on Cannabis Massage… Here’s What Surprised Me

Happy Spring!!

A couple weekends ago, I spent six hours online, one-on-one with a nurse and massage therapist from Colorado who specializes in cannabis massage.

I have to say… this may have been one of my favorite classes I’ve taken so far.

I was fascinated by how much I didn’t know.

Meet Jordan from Primal Therapeutics. She has over 20 years of experience in the medical and wellness field.

A few months ago, my previous Lyme doctor mentioned that our bodies have receptors designed to interact with compounds from the cannabis plant. That alone was interesting… but this class took it to a whole new level.

What I didn’t realize is that our bodies can actually create their own similar compounds, called endocannabinoids. These can be supported through things like meditation, exercise you enjoy, and even certain foods like dark chocolate.

These receptors are part of something called the endocannabinoid system — a system in the body that plays a role in maintaining overall balance (also known as homeostasis) across multiple body systems.

And something I found especially interesting from a massage perspective is that touch itself can interact with this system in the body.

If you’re new to this, one of the most common questions is whether these products create a “high.” The answer is no — the hemp-derived products I’m researching are non-intoxicating and are not intended to affect you in that way. Most people are simply looking for a massage experience that feels deeply relaxing and supportive.

That said, everyone’s experience is different, and this type of service isn’t something I would add without careful consideration.

The state of Iowa has very specific rules and regulations around hemp-derived products, so right now I’m in the research phase — learning, asking questions, and gathering feedback from clients like you.

I’m considering adding this as a future option in my practice, and your input will help guide that decision.

If this is something you might be curious about trying, I’d love to hear from you:

As always, my goal is to continue offering services that feel safe, thoughtful, and supportive for you and your body.

This clip is from the feature documentary "Ride with Larry" and shows retired police captain Larry trying medical marijuana for the first time.

And of course, if you’re ready for your next massage, you can schedule your session here:

Thanks for reading!

~ Whitney Owen, LMT, CHC