Massage Drunk: Why Do I Feel Woozy After A Massage?
- Emily Brown
- Oct 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 1
Ever floated out of a massage session feeling woozy, dazed, or like you’ve had one too many glasses of wine, but without a sip of alcohol? You’re not alone! There’s actually a name for that blissed-out, slightly loopy sensation: “massage drunk.”
Let’s talk about what it is, why it happens, and how to handle it.
What Is “Massage Drunk”?
"Massage drunk" isn’t a medical term, but it’s a common phrase used to describe the lightheaded, spacey, or deeply relaxed feeling many people experience after a massage. It’s your body’s way of saying, “Hey, we just went through something really good, and now we’re recalibrating.”
Feeling foggy or dreamy
Trouble focusing or forming thoughts
Slower movement or speech
Extra sensitivity to sounds or light
A desire to nap immediately 😴
Why It Happens
1. Hormonal Shift
Massage triggers your parasympathetic nervous system, the “rest and digest” mode. Your stress hormones (like cortisol) drop, while feel-good chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin rise. That wave of calm can make you feel loopy, but in the best way.
2. Increased Blood Flow
Your circulation improves during a massage, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to your brain and muscles. That shift in blood flow can leave you feeling lightheaded, especially if you hop off the table too fast.
3. Toxin Release (kind of)
Massage helps your lymphatic system move fluid and cellular waste, encouraging detoxification. This doesn’t mean you're suddenly flooded with toxins, but shifts in hydration and circulation can affect your energy levels and mood temporarily.
4. Mental Reset
Massages offer a rare break from constant stimulation. Your mind finally gets quiet, and when it reboots, it might feel like it’s coming out of a meditation or a really good nap.
💡 What To Do About It
Feeling “massage drunk” isn’t dangerous, but here are a few tips to ride it out:
Take your time getting up from the table. Sit for a moment, take a few deep breaths, and ease your way back into the world.
Drink water. Hydration supports your circulatory and lymphatic systems and helps rebalance you after a session.
Avoid rushing into errands or work. If possible, give yourself a little time to rest or enjoy something low-key after your appointment.
Embrace the reset. This feeling is a sign your body is shifting out of stress mode and into healing mode.
🧘 A Sign You’re Doing Something Right
That loopy feeling? It’s a reminder of how deeply your nervous system needed a break. Many people are so chronically tense that true relaxation feels foreign at first. Over time, your body will adjust and come to recognize massage not as a jolt, but as a regular part of its well-being routine.
Pro Tip: The more consistently you get massaged, the easier it becomes for your body to process the experience, making you feel refreshed and balanced without as much of the post-massage haze.
Ready to get blissfully “drunk” on wellness? We’ve got a table waiting for you.
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