Trendsetters in Cannabis Massage

What exactly does it mean to be trendsetters in an industry? Simply put, it is someone that leads the way in ideas. In 2014 when the founder of Primal Therapeutics first googled the words “cannabis massage” no responses came back. Google, the search engine used by millions everyday had no advice to offer her. The search continued online for hours then days before she walked into her local medical marijuana dispensary and purchased every single topical that existed. After using topicals on her own surgical wounds she knew their healing capabilities on a personal level but had no idea what their implications would be using cannabis from head to toe.

What began with a whole lot of research turned quickly into development and making cannabis massage into something that was more than just applying cannabis to a patient and calling it cannabis massage. What has made Primal Therapeutics the trendsetters in the field is their passion for knowledge and spreading the word of what a healing and therapeutic modality cannabis massage is. After years of exploring the topic Primal Therapeutics now offers educational classes to fellow massage therapists around the world.

Every year American Spa magazine releases their projected list for the upcoming years various spa trends. This year Primal Therapeutics is considered the trendsetters for cannabis in the spa space. You can read the full list of descriptions with links to each section by clicking here. The 2018 trends include the following categories in no particular order.

Fighting Pollution
Crystals
Hotels with Spas
Natural Beauty
Cannabis
Animals in Wellness
DNA Testing
Guilt-Free Skincare
Regional Spa Associations
Intentional Beauty

She noted the first thing that made her realize cannabis was an effective treatment for massage and all kinds of various spa treatments was the fact she no longer needed acupuncture. After being a massage therapist for many years cannabis massage gave her a new lease on her worn out and tired wrists. “It was a total game changer for me and my business” Person said.

As Primal Therapeutics approaches their fourth year in business in Colorado they could not be more proud to be a part of this list. Founder, Jordan Person said recently, “My Grandma always used to call me a trendsetter! She could have never guessed this would be my future.” Cannabis saved Person’s life and she has since gone from being an advocate to an activist and a cannabis consumer to a cannabis business owner.

Read the article in American Spa magazine here:

https://www.americanspa.com/skincare/2018-spa-and-wellness-trend-benefits-cannabis

Cannabis Massage 101 Education Classes

Become a pioneer and absorb knowledge you can bring back to your patients, families, and friends in this one day class that will instruct you how to provide the very best cannabis massage care possible.

What you will learn in Cannabis Massage 101:

the endocannabinoid system
the differences between THC, CBD and other cannabinoids
the entourage effect
what terpenes are
contraindications
the benefits of cannabis massage
best practices for the best form of massage therapy there is
legal issues
how to monetize your new skill
practical application to “feel the difference”
how to make infused topicals at home
and so much more…

If you are interested in taking an education class with us please feel free to fill out this form and someone will be in contact with you to discuss your class needs: Cannabis Massage 101 Form

We are excited to have the opportunity to teach you soon! If you have any questions in the meantime please do not hesitate to reach out: primaltherapeutics@gmail.com

TIME magazine Special Edition

Marijuana Goes Main Street By: Bruce Barcott

Recently our Founder was making a trip to Florida and she went looking for some reading material in one of the many magazines shops that all airports have. Without question she was drawn to the TIME magazine publication with a gigantic marijuana leaf on the cover. What she was not expecting was to find Primal Therapeutics on page 94! But there she and Primal Therapeutics were, locked in history in TIME magazine.

Primal Therapeutics was to be the world’s first Cannabis Spa however laws and regulations would not support the business model and in 2014 when the recreational cannabis industry was really kicking off our founder had the honor of meeting author, Bruce Barcott at an industry event. That chance encounter landed Jordan in a few sentences in Bruce’s book, Weed The People. Then flash forward three years that same encounter put our founder in TIME magazine’s special edition, Marijuana Goes Main Street.

Needless to say Primal Therapeutics is ecstatic to be a part of history and she had been carrying her copy of TIME in her bag with her which ended up coming in handy. Just when she thought it could not get any better, Jordan was recently in DC to lobby for marijuana policy reform with NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) and Bruce Barcott was one of the presenters at the 2017 NORML Conference and Lobby Day. She immediately approached Bruce at the conference and requested that he sign her copy of TIME magazine. He wrote, “Thank you for your pioneering work.” Little did he know that is exactly what Jordan calls all of the students she teaches, “pioneers.”

It is moments and memories like this that solidify our space in this movement. It is these times that push us to keep going and to keep teaching and no matter what to remain on the cutting edge of what will become the greatest industry of all time.

(L to R) Jordan Person (Primal Therapeutics), Bruce Barcott (author), Keith Stroup (founder of NORML)

Best Stress Relief, Relaxation, and Meditation Blogs (we made the list!)

Primal Therapeutics is excited and proud to have made this list for best stress relief and relaxation blogs! We hope to encourage everyone that comes into contact with us how to relax. Many thanks to the author, Sara Lopez!

“Top Stress Relief, Relaxation & Meditation Blogs”

“Being a Psychologist and an avid reader of content related to stress relief, meditation and the like, I browsed for such blogs and discovered various sites. After a thorough research, I found some of the sites that one cannot resist lingering on.

So, if you are looking for some mental tranquility through help and guidance, you are definitely at the right spot. Here is a detailed list of the “Best Stress Relief, Relaxation and Meditation Blogs” that have got it all covered for you. So, read it through and thank me later!”
– Sara Lopez

To read all of the blogs recommended click here.

THC vs CBD infographic

greencamp.com

Cannabis Massage Retreat off to a great start

Over the weekend of May 20-21,2017 Primal Therapeutics hosted our first Cannabis Massage 101 weekend of plant medicine retreat. It was an amazing experience. With the cannabis massage retreat off to a great start it has created wonderful momentum for the upcoming classes. Cannabis massage is the modality of the future. These classes will educate massage therapists how to take their careers to the next level.

The retreat was created to satisfy the requests of therapists from across the country. When we realized that the majority of students were traveling from outside of Colorado we wanted to create an experience that would touch the mind, heart and soul, an experience that would provide education on plant medicine during a weekend of wellness. We partnered with other cannabis industry experts to design this special retreat that we will have two times in 2017.

The setting for our retreat was the beautiful Cultivated Synergy located in the Rino neighborhood in Denver, Colorado. It could not have served our needs any better. It provided a safe and comfortable space for our students. The staff were so attentive to our every request and need throughout the entire event planning process as well as the entire event weekend.

“I had a wonderful time during the class. Jordan you did a fantastic job educating our class on cannabis massage. You made it a very safe place to educate. Free spirit with the knowledge to enhance our skills and lives. Thank you so much” -satisfied student from May class.

The expansive square footage allowed us to set up for several portions of the class at once. This made the transition from each portion of learning so smooth. Keeping class size small allowed for a more intimate learning experience. Students were able to have their questions answered and receive individual attention that truly elevated the quality of learning.

After learning about the Endocannabinoid System, terpenes, contraindications, the Entourage Effect, benefits, cannabinoids, and so much more it was time to feel the difference that cannabis makes in a massage therapy session. Students broke into pairs and had the opportunity to use Primal Therapeutics Herbal Body Oil and Primal Salve-Vation during practical application. The students were able to keep the salve to use at their discretion as a gift from their teacher. All of the retreat attendees reported being able to feel the muscles respond to the infused topicals. Thanks to the class being small technique pointers were provided to each student on an individual basis.

“I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the whole experience. The information in the book and from instructor was very informative. The schedule was well thought out and structured in a thoughtful way.” – student from May class

Non-infused brunch was provided both days of the retreat. CBD rich coffee was donated by Strava Craft Coffee and water soluble infused THC and CBD organic teas were donated by Stillwater. Students had the ability to help themselves to the coffee and tea station at their leisure. We are so grateful to both vendors for their generous donations to our first retreat.

Our chef for the infused dinner was Jessica Catalano, author of The Ganja Kitchen Revolution. She prepared a four course dinner for the class using cannabis extractions of THC and CBD. In the first three courses she used strains from Natural Remedies. The terpene profile that each variation provided was chosen to match the dish. Chef Catalano is the pioneer of stain specific cooking. She then used CBD isolate from Soqdet Farms in Arvada for the infused caramel for dessert to round off the meal. Every bite was decadent. Chef Catalano will create a different seasonal menu for the fall class.

The infused yoga portion was created by Jimmy Smrz of Yoga on the Green. He graciously stood in for Ganjasana owner and creator Rachael Carlevale at the last minute due to a family emergency. He did an excellent job at leading our class through an enlightening session of spiritual plant spirit yoga. He activated our endocannabinoid systems with energy movements and activated all of our senses. We are so grateful to him for being so flexible and generous with his time and energy. His class was the perfect way to start our Sunday morning. Listening to the singing bowls at the end was the perfect awakening transition to bring the class into the next portion of learning.

“Your curriculum was in depth and organized. It’s exactly what we need to know as massage professionals and ambassadors of plant medicine. I loved the connection with others who are hungry for knowledge and new experiences. Thank you for creating a fulfilling weekend I’ll never forget!” -student from May 2017 class.

After yoga it was time to learn how to make topicals. Working with herbs is a process and in Topicals 101 students learned the basics on how to begin this part of their journey through plant medicine. Instruction was provided on how to make massage oil and salve. Education included various herbs, necessary tools for topical making, essential oils and the many options that can be used a base for topical treatments. All students went home with organic massage oil created in class and everyone had the ability to create their perfect individual scent using various organic essential oils.

Law has a lot more to do with cannabis massage then many people realize. Jordan has a lot of background in that area thanks to her work with NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) the longest standing consumer advocacy group in the nation. Running the Denver chapter and speaking throughout the country in favor of reforming laws for the cannabis plant are part of what makes Jordan qualified to teach this class. Education was provided to the students on how they can become involved in the activism portion of cannabis massage so that protections can eventually be put into place for massage therapists working with cannabis infused oils and salves.

“One of my favorite parts was learning the importance of activism and how to go about engaging/educating your own community and lawmakers was very motivating to see how far Colorado (thanks to a large part- Jordan and her staff) has come but how much work is still to be done, especially in California.” – Cannabis Massage 101 student

The first Primal Therapeutics certified class of cannabis massage therapists will always be near and dear to Jordan’s heart. Amazing memories and friendships were created and the cannabis massage movement had a nice growth spurt. Anyone can rub cannabis onto a patient and call themselves a cannabis massage therapist. The difference between those therapists and a Primal Therapeutics certified therapist is the level of education we provide our patients and clients. Information is what this industry is lacking. The more knowledge we can provide patients the more they will seek out healing and therapeutic treatments and we can continue to change the world one patient at a time.

We hope to meet you and teach you at our next retreat in October.

“Jordan has got her sh*t together and is a true inspiration! I loved how she put it together; everything worked out perfectly except for it being too short and not enough questions asked. Other than that, it was excellent vibes, and great memories to keep in mind for the future. Thank you Jordan for all your hard work to bring this class together.” – satisfied student.

What is 4/20?

What is 420? The Meaning Behind the Marijuana Celebration Day

Written By Travis

Photo from: Liveurbandenver.com

The story of how 420 became the popular marijuana smoking day is intertwined with many myths, stories, and truths. For just about anyone who smokes marijuana on a regular basis, 420 is a sacred date and time of day. Ask a smoker about the origin of 420 however, and the origin can be as cloudy as the haze surrounding their heads. Ask a dozen stoners where the term 420 originated, and you get a dozen stories that have some basis in truth but are all over the place.

The truth about how 420 originated comes right from the kids who thought of the term. These five high schoolers developed a way to communicate secretly about weed long before it was as popular as it has become today. This is the true story of the beginnings of 420 and national weed day.

What’s 420 and Where Did It Originally Come From?

There are people around the world who are convinced that the term 420 was a California police code for “marijuana smoking in progress”. Then there are those who swear that Bob Marley died on 420 and this weed celebration day is a tribute to the legend himself. The story of 420 dates back to the early 1970’s in San Rafael, California. A group of stoners in high school called themselves the Waldos because they would get stoned after school behind a huge wall near the school property.

Photo from: Ariousentertainmentgroup.com

Now where the story gets hazy for many is that they think the Waldos would meet at exactly 4:20 each afternoon to get high. According to those in the group who went on the recall what actually happened, they group members would whisper 420-Louis to one another as code they wanted to schedule a meeting or a time to smoke. Eventually, they would go on to drop the Louis part and the 420 would basically signify anything related to marijuana. So they could easily tell one another where they wanted to 420, or what time they were going to 420, and no one in school would be any the wiser.

How Did 420 Spread From a High School to the World?

The term 420 would have only been something this small group of stoners shared, but it took the help of a popular band to give the term global recognition. When the Grateful Dead decided to set up camp in Marin County, a few miles from the high school where the Waldos gathered, it was a chance meeting that would explode the popularity of the term 420. The Waldo’s would hang outside where the Dead were rehearsing, smoking week and getting stoned, and eventually roadies would hang and get high with the Waldo’s too. The roadies and the Waldo’s would hang, get high, and listen to the Dead rehearse every day.

So from the mouths of the Waldo’s, to the ears of the roadies, the term 420 eventually made it to the bearded men in members of the Grateful Dead. The term 420 just stuck, and it was spread to concert goers around the world until it became what it is today. The Dead would use the term so frequently at the shows that the weed culture just took to it. Each year the Dead toured, the read of 420 would find a new audience. Once High Times magazine picked up the term when they wrote a story on the Grateful Dead, it was permanently a part of the weed culture. To honor the Waldo’s, and celebrate the freedom of smoking weed, on every April 20th, stoners party by throwing some incredible celebrations.

The Annual Marijuana Celebration Day

Each year, the day of celebration on April 20th gets bigger and more global attention. While some people love gathering and telling tales of the latest strains they have developed, others take a more casual approach. One of the growing trends is pampering yourself with a cannabis massage, a way to honor the marijuana celebration in your own little way. Similar to a regular full body massage, the masseur uses salves and oils packed with CBD and THC goodness, providing a therapeutic massage that has numerous medical benefits.

Photo from: Press.fourseasons.com

As 420 fast approaches, now is the time to plan how you are going to spend that day honoring everything marijuana. While there will certainly be major rallies in Washington, Colorado, and even Washington DC, rallies of smaller size are popping up in just about every state as more efforts are made to push for the legalization of marijuana in more states.

Cannabis Massage 101 Retreat

Attention all prospective students! Winter is still here and the snow in Colorado predicts the majority of our travel here in March and April so we chose May 20-21, 2017 for the Cannabis Massage 101 class. After a long cold season a Cannabis Massage 101 Retreat is in order! The majority of our students do not live in Colorado and have agreed they are willing to travel however far they need to and we could not be more excited to teach you.

We have partnered with Ganjasana and The Ganja Kitchen Revolution to provide you with a weekend of wellness through plant medicine. It is our goal to leave you enlightened on all levels.

Day 1- Morning: Cannabis Massage 101
Afternoon: Practical Application
Evening: Cannabis Infused Dinner

Day 2 – Morning: Ganjasana (cannabis yoga educational experience)
Afternoon: Topical Making 101

Early bird pricing is $999 for both days including: all supplies, meals, transportation, and courses listed. We require a deposit of 50% down to secure your space. Registration costs are due in full no later than May 6th, 2017. If you need to cancel your reservation please provide 36 hours notice for a full refund.

For full class descriptions and to learn more, please CLICK HERE to register for the first Cannabis Massage 101 class ever!

9 Surprising Benefits of Cannabis Topicals

9 Surprising Benefits of Cannabis Topicals

By: Rachel Garland

You’ve probably heard that cannabis topicals are great for your skin, but did you know they could also treat burns, alleviate arthritis, and take therapeutic massages to a whole other level?

And this barely scratches the surface.

Because cannabis topicals are non-psychoactive, they are a versatile way for you to take advantage of those cannabinoids.

Available as lotions, balms, sprays and oils – cannabis-infused skin products are quickly becoming more than a beauty staple. Indeed, these powerful antidotes offer numerous healing properties.

In celebration of Green Flower’s new online course with expert Jordan Person – Cannabis & Massage – (debuting on February 23 in a free live-stream), check out these 9 surprising benefits of cannabis topicals.

#1) Provides Localized Pain Management

If you’re suffering from back or knee pain, for example, cannabis topicals could help.

Cannabis-infused creams or oils are great for treating pain in a specific area of the body.

Better yet, they are also fast-acting. Once applied, the cannabinoids in topicals bind with the CB2 receptors in your skin, providing quick relief.

Topical cannabis infusions act on a peripheral basis, which means they do not enter the bloodstream. This translates to zero psychoactivity. So you can apply them liberally without the potential side effects of too much THC.

For full-body aches and pains, we suggest cannabis-infused bath salts – or a cannabis massage (see #9).

#2) Enhances Sexual Pleasure

Women and men of the world rejoice, cannabis topicals are making their way into the bedroom. Companies such as FORIA have developed cannabis-infused oils and lubricants designed to enhance sexual pleasure.

Cannabis is a well-known aphrodisiac, particularly for women. In fact, references of cannabis for sexual pleasure date back over 2000 years ago in India where cannabis was incorporated into tantric sex practices.

Today, we’re re-discovering this powerful ancient arouser.

#3) Treats Mild Skin Irritations

Did you know you could be applying cannabis topically for bug bites, scratches, and other skin abrasions? Cannabis-infused creams and salves are ideal because they offer localized pain relief while reducing swelling.

The right cannabis topical can also contain potent antibacterial properties.

However, apply with caution. Not all cannabis topicals are created equally. Always be sure to check the ingredient list first. Certain additives could potentially exacerbate your symptoms.

#4) Alleviates Symptoms of Psoriasis

Sufferers of psoriasis know just how painful the condition can be. Characterized by an excess buildup of skin cells, psoriasis causes itchy, painful red patches on the skin.

Psoriasis can be embarrassing and more important uncomfortable. For many psoriasis patients, the options are limited. After all, there is currently no known cure for the condition.

Cannabis, however, is proving to be a powerful treatment option. A study in 2007 revealed that cannabinoids inhibited the buildup of dead skin cells – a direct cause of psoriasis.

Although few formal studies exist on the relationship between psoriasis and cannabis, there is no shortage of anecdotal evidence.

While more research is needed, the positive impact of cannabis infusions for psoriasis is clear.

#5) Keeps Skin Youthful

Want great looking skin for years to come? Then it’s time to consider incorporating cannabis into your beauty regimen. Applying cannabis-infused balms, oils, and lotions can do wonders for your skin.

Essentially, cannabis applied topically prevents your skin from aging. This can be explained in part by the fact that cannabis happens to be a powerful antioxidant.

Antioxidants are shown to speed up the healing process and prevent tissue damage caused by the environment. One study found that Cannabidiol (CBD) is a more potent antioxidant than Vitamins C or E. So not only does cannabis keep your skin looking more youthful, it also keeps it healthier.

#6) Reduces Inflammation and Arthritis

It’s estimated that 350 million people worldwide suffer from arthritis. While this condition is often associated with the elderly, over a quarter of a million children in the United States are also affected.

Symptoms of arthritis include swelling, pain, and inflammation in the joints. Because arthritic pain is primarily cause by inflammation, cannabis topicals are a potent remedy.

A study in the journal Rheumatology revealed how cannabis helps fight inflammation. The study found that in patients suffering from arthritis, CB2 receptors in the joint tissues were present at an abnormally high rate. Cannabis helps to fight inflammation by activating these receptors. Sure, the need for more research is evident, and yet the current findings are no less astounding.

#7) Heals Burns Faster

Burns are one of the most painful types of injury someone can experience and can take weeks or even months to heal depending on the severity.

A lot of the pain associated with burns is due to inflammation. Cannabis helps soothe inflammation while also reducing pain.

A well-made topical can also help the burn heal faster. And again, we want more research on this. Until then, the anecdotal reports are impressive.

#8) Fights Bacterial Skin Infections

Did you know cannabinoids contain anti-bacterial properties? From boils, cellulitis, impetigo, to even folliculitis – cannabis can provide relief for numerous bacterial skin infections.

And unlike other antibiotics, using cannabis does not lead to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, even leading some researchers to call cannabis the antibiotic of the future.

Great example: a study in 2008 revealed cannabis could help stop MRSA – a bacterial infection that often develops out of antibiotic resistance.

The researchers concluded:

“All five major cannabinoids tested (cannabidiol, cannabichromene, cannabigerol, tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabinol) showed potent activity against a variety of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains of current clinical relevance.”

While the researchers did not study the specific implications of cannabis-infused salves, lotions, and oils in relation to antibiotic resilience, the message was clear. Cannabis contains powerful and game-changing antibacterial qualities.

#9) Cannabis Topicals Are GREAT for Therapeutic Massages

Could a cannabis-infused massage oil be superior to any other type of massage product? The current science seems to suggest as much when you consider the therapeutic advantage of targeting those CB2 receptors in the skin, reducing any inflammation or pain.

This can be great for conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, neuropathy, and much more.

We’ve even got anecdotal reports from massage therapists who notice a big difference in how cannabis topicals help keep their own inflammation levels in check after giving a massage.

But if cannabis topicals are so great for massage, how do you choose the right topical? What ingredients do you look for? What do you need to know if you’re a massage therapist, nurse, or any other type of healing practitioner?

If you want to learn more about the therapeutic power around using cannabis topicals, you can check out Green Flower’s new online course with nurse and massage therapist Jordan Person, “Cannabis and Massage: Everything You Need to Know” (debuting on February 23 in a free live-stream).

Jordan Person is also executive director of Denver NORML.

Buy the topicals designed for our patients

When Primal Therapeutics first started we tried every topical we could get out hands on. There were only a few that were worthy of our patients. We needed topicals that would be good for a variety of skin disorders and types of pain as well as be viscous enough to apply to the entire body. As the years went by our desire for a better product increased. We are excited to announce you can now buy the products designed for our patients! Visit our SHOP here.

The more time we spent working with our patients learning about different disorders that we would be helping with the more we craved research about other herbs that can be used as plant medicine in our topicals. After several courses in herbalism we began to formulate our products. Using friends, family and regular clients as our test subjects we experimented until we received enough positive feedback that we had found the recipe we were looking for.

We currently have four topical products available. Our salve is called Primal Salve-Vation because it will become your salvation. It provides relief to countless conditions. Our herbal body oil is excellent for dry skin especially after a bath it glides over large surface areas. Primal Soak & Scrub can be used in two ways: as a scrub to your face, feet or anywhere that needs extra TLC or add a couple tablespoons to your bath for total relaxation. Last but not least we have Velvet Balm’s. They work like lotion bars, simply hold it in your hand and rub over the skin and feel your body melt and become soft like velvet.

Topicals are an incredible way to learn more about the power of plant medicine. If you have any questions about our products or would like to place a custom order please email us at: primaltherapeutics@gmail.com.