What is Rick Simpson oil? Rick Simpson oil (RSO) is a cannabis oil product. It was developed by Rick Simpson, a Canadian medical marijuana activist. RSO differs from a lot of other cannabis oils because it contains higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana that gets people “high.” Other therapeutic cannabis oils tend to contain a cannabinoid called cannabidiol (CBD) and little or no THC. In addition, Rick Simpson doesn’t sell RSO. Instead, he encourages to people to create their own using his methods. Read on to learn more about the health claims behind RSO and whether it lives up to the hype. Also known as fully extracted cannabis oil because it provides patients with a full range of benefits in the form of oil. It is obtained by extracting cannabinoids from plant material using a solvent (usually 99% isopropyl alcohol). When the THC-A in the plant material is converted to THC, the alcohol is removed, leaving behind the RSO oil. This includes one pound of high-quality cannabis buds, preferably an indica-based strain (use less if desired), two gallons of isopropyl alcohol, a 5-gallon bucket, a large bowl or container, a piece of cheesecloth or Tea strainer, coffee, long wooden spoon or measuring stirrer belt, rice cooker, fan and plastic syringe (without needle) for oil.
It can be used topically, orally, sublingually, or cooked with it, and depending on how it is extracted, it can be smoked. However, I wouldn't recommend smoking it unless you know how it was extracted and what solvents were used in the process. Because RSO is an oil, it can be smoked or spread, depending on the solvent used to prepare it. Do not attempt to smoke or apply RSO if flammable solvents are used.
What are the potential benefits? The main claim surrounding RSO is that it treats cancer. After Simpson was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2003, he began applying RSO to the cancerous spots on his face and neck. According to Simpson, the spots healed within a few days. The dominant cannabinoids found in RSO oil depend on the cannabis strain used. RSO can be extracted from any strain of marijuana, even if indica-dominated strains (strains often associated with calming effects) as well as strains with high THC levels are desirable. Depending on the strain used, the color and consistency of RSO may vary.
You can mix each dose with a small amount of coconut oil to dilute it so it's easier to apply. To use RSO orally, you can put your dose of rice grain (or less if you're just starting out - see below for dosage) directly on a cracker or piece of bread and eat it. RSO is thick, so if you're having a hard time squeezing it out, place the syringe under very hot water to make the mixture thinner and easier to dose.
However, if you wish to use RSO for treatment, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting treatment. A person does not have to stop the recommended cancer treatment in order to switch to RSO.
According to Rick Simpson’s website, RSO is made from a particular type of cannabis called Cannabis indica, which produces a sedative effect that helps the body heal.
In addition to cancer, RSO is said to also treat:
multiple sclerosis
arthritis
asthma
infections
inflammation
high blood pressure
depression
insomnia
What does the research say? Rick Simpson decided to try cannabis oil after reading the results of a 1975 studyTrusted Source that tested the use of cannabinoids in mice with lung cancer. The study found that both THC and another cannabinoid called cannabinol (CBN) slowed the growth of lung cancer in mice. Since then, there’s been a good amount of researchTrusted Source involving cell samples and animal models that look at the effects of cannabinoids on cancer growth. A 2014 study on mice examined the effects of THC and CBD extracts alongside radiation therapy. The cannabis extracts appeared to increase the effectiveness of radiation against an aggressive type of brain cancer. According to the study’s authors, these results suggest that THC and CBD may help to prepare cancer cells to respond better to radiation therapy. Recently, there have been a few early-stage clinical trials involving human participants with cancer. While these studies have shown that cannabinoids are safe to use in cancer patients, they don’t fully demonstrate whether cannabinoids can help to treat or control cancer. This makes it hard to conclude anything about the long-term effectiveness of cannabis for cancer. While these results are promising, much larger, long-term studies are needed to fully understand how different cannabinoids and cannabis strains affect cancer cells.
There is now strong evidence that RSO can help cancer patients manage side effects such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, nausea, and loss of appetite. In addition to helping with the side effects of cancer, researchers believe RSO is helpful in treating other health problems such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, depression, asthma, and more. RSO is often used to treat cancer, but it is also used for insomnia, depression, hypertension, arthritis, or other chronic pain conditions. It is made by extracting all of the medicinal compounds from raw hemp without burning or processing them.