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Unwind With Our CBD Massage Oil Recipe

Keegan Williams

By Keegan Williams

September 21, 2022

A massage on its own is already a relaxing luxury, and now with the rise of

and the cannabis industry as a whole, infused topicals and CBD massage oil specifically have really amped things up a notch. Combining cannabis with massage therapy can open the door to a number of benefits, and specific infusions can work to fit the individual needs of a variety of consumers.

While you might be able to find an infused massage oil online or at a retail store near you, making your own CBD massage oil at home is simpler than you might think. By taking matters into your own hands, making your own cannabis-infused massage oils is often more budget-friendly and allows consumers to experiment with cannabinoid combinations that are the best fit for them and their loved ones.

So, heed the call for relaxation and dive in with us. With just a bit of prep, you can soon be the proud owner and maker of your own CBD massage oil!

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Will THC-infused massage oils get me high?

One important thing to note is that massage oils are applied to the skin topically. You’ll notice the effects locally, in the areas the massage oil is being used (the skin), but any THC in your oil will not make its way to your brain. Meaning, whether or not you decide to use THC or just straight CBD in your mixture, you will not experience the psychoactive high that comes with ingesting an

, cannabis smoke or vapor.

While you will still likely enjoy the benefits that CBD alone has to offer with a straight CBD massage oil, some research suggests that using CBD and THC together is more effective than taking either on its own. Sometimes referred to as the

, this theory is based on all compounds in cannabis working together and producing better effects when taken together. This means that having a bit of THC in your CBD topical will likely further enhance the effects of the CBD.

And once more, as a topical, you can still enjoy the healing benefits of THC, without the psychoactive high!

What are the benefits of using cannabis-infused massage oils?

As mentioned, most people would agree that a massage on its own ushers in an invitation to unwind and refocus one’s body. Though, there are a plethora of potential benefits to using cannabis-infused massage oils in tandem with the healing activity.

Unrecognizable female massage therapist pouring oil on man's back before massage. Focus is on her hand holding bottle with massage oil.
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For one,

like CBD and THC increase blood flow in the areas they are applied. This can increase stimulation and sensitivity in those areas. Using an infused massage oil takes the muscle-relieving nature of a massage a step further, as increasing blood flow can also further work to relax the muscles.

(A conversation for another time, surely, but

are also very popular for these reasons.)

Ongoing research also suggests that cannabis topicals have anti-inflammatory potential, especially those with CBD.

Once again, infused massage oils and topicals in general are also non-psychoactive. Even if the oil has THC in it, you won’t get high since the cannabinoids cannot penetrate through the skin and into the bloodstream.

Some of the more practical benefits: Making your own massage oil can be a great way to use leftover shake, flower or even

. You can also make the oils your own, with any combination of CBD and THC, terpenes and by utilizing the benefits of various essential oils.

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How to Make CBD Massage Oil

Before you get started, make sure you have the following:

Supplies You’ll Need:

Baking sheet

Tinfoil/aluminum foil

Saucepan, crockpot or slow cooker

Mesh strainer

Cheesecloth

Glass bottle

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Carrier oil (1/4 cup)

7-10 grams of cannabis flower (about 1 cup)

Essential oil

Note on carrier oils: You can pick from a number of oils for this recipe. While coconut oil is a favorite, given its fatty acids and saturated fats that bind to cannabinoids like CBD and THC, you can also use olive oil, jojoba seed oil or organic jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, safflower oil, tea tree oil or hemp seed oil.

This recipe also utilizes cannabis flower. You can make your own massage oil with homemade CBD oil or store bought oils you already have. Using a store bought oil might also allow you to up the amount of carrier oil, depending on the potency and amount of oil you need to use to obtain it.

If you don’t want to use a full fourth cup of oil, you can supplement the remainder with a carrier. Just ensure if it is homemade you understand your dosing and use the same oil that was used initially.

For more information on dosing, check out

on infused coconut oil for baking.

Instructions

Step 1: Decarboxylate Cannabis

Decarboxylation is the process of activating the cannabinoids in cannabis to unlock their effects, namely turning the plant’s CBDA into CBD, THCA into THC and the like. Decarboxylating, or decarbing, the flower just ensures your body feels the effects of the cannabinoids in your massage oil. Without doing this, you’re unfortunately just wasting flower.

To decarboxylate the flower, loosely break up the cannabis with your fingers and place it on parchment paper on a baking sheet. Heat your flower for 30-40 minutes in the over at 245ºF.

Step 2: Break Down Your Cannabis

After your cannabis is finished in the oven, let the flower cool to room temperature. Then, break it down even further using a grinder, a knife and cutting board or your hands. While you want to ensure the final product is fine, a word of caution is to avoid making the flower too powdery. Make sure it doesn’t fit through the strainer and end up in your final mixture.

Step 3: Heat Oil and Mix with Decarbed Cannabis

Using your vessel of choice on low heat, add your carrier oil and decarbed cannabis to your slow cooker, saucepan or crockpot and let it simmer for at least two hours and up to six. Check that the temperature of the oil stays between 160-200ºF. Stir occasionally.

Step 4: Strain the Oil

Once you’re satisfied with your infusion time, make sure the container has cooled down enough to handle. The next step is removing the plant matter from the cannabis. A mesh strainer on its own will do, but for extra measure, line it with cheesecloth and pour the oil through into a storage container. 

Give the oil time to fully and completely drain into your container. If you used a cheesecloth, gently squeeze it to ensure all of the oil has been released. 

Step 5: Add Essential Oils

This is where you can add a bit more of your own personal flair! Once the oil has cooled completely, add in 20-30 drops of essential oils. As folks often say in relation to terpene profiles, the nose knows! Similarly, do a smell test every few drops to ensure you have the right mixture of aromas for you. You may prefer less or even more essential oil. Go slow when combining multiple aromas, as a mismatched combo might be challenging to correct.

Relaxed man enjoying with eyes closed at the spa during facial massage.
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Some of the

used in cannabis- and CBD-infused massage oils include lavender, rosemary, chamomile, frankincense, peppermint and jasmine. Be aware that essential oils can irritate the skin of some people, so it’s definitely worth testing on a patch of skin before including it in your massage oil.

Once you’ve added enough oil to suit your liking, give the mixture a good store and seal the bottle tightly. Make sure the bottle can sit, unopened, for at least 24 hours to soak in all of those sweet aromas!

Step 6: Storage

You spent all this time making it, so you don’t want your oil going bad. Like most infused oil-based products, it’s best to make sure your cannabis massage oil is stored in a cool, dry and dark place. So long as you do this, the mixture shouldn’t generally “go bad.” 

Though, if you haven’t used it in a while, it’s good to give the massage oil a good stir or shake. Shelf life is also dependent on the plant matter that may or may not still be in your oil, so pay careful attention as you grind your flower and strain it!

Wrapping Up

Whether you’ve ventured into the world of infused oils and DIY cannabis before or this is brand new, it’s surprisingly easy to create your own handmade cannabis and CBD massage oil. Not only do you have the flexibility to tailor make your own oil specifically for your needs, but making your own infused massage oil can truly open

in the world of cannabis infusions.

And after enjoying the benefits of an infused massage for the first time, chances are you’ll be racing back to this recipe to make a second batch soon enough. 

Cannabis-infused massage oil offers an ideal combination of rest and recovery, so sit back and enjoy. You’ve earned it!

Keegan Williams

About The Author

Keegan Williams

HIGH THERE MISSION

WE’RE A CREATIVE COMMUNITY — EXPLORING THE SCIENCE, CRAFT, AND CULTURE OF CANNABIS.
WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS ERADICATING THE STIGMA, MISINFORMATION, AND INEQUITIES SURROUNDING THIS PLANT, SO WE CAN UNLOCK ITS TRUE POTENTIAL FOR ALL.