What to know about Rick Simpson oil (RSO)

Rick Simpson oil (RSO) is a highly potent, viscous cannabis oil made from the cannabis plant’s trichomes, which are resinous glands rich in therapeutic cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. The result is a cannabis concentrate with powerful levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other beneficial compounds.

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What is Rick Simpson oil?

RSO was developed by Canadian engineer Rick Simpson. He used it to treat basal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. According to Simpson, after only four days of applying it to the skin, his cancerous cells were gone.

Sold on the healing effects of medical marijuana, Simpson started growing his own cannabis to create more cannabis-infused oil, known today as RSO. Now, several cannabis manufacturers produce RSO that can be purchased in dispensaries throughout the country.

Benefits of RSO

Studies on RSO are limited. However, there are many studies on the healing properties of cannabis.

Studies on whether RSO can fight cancer are inconclusive and anecdotal. However, researchers are exploring whether cannabis can kill cancer cells, with some promising findings.

While RSO was originally developed for skin cancer, it may help with other health conditions, such as:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Chronic pain
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Depression
• High blood pressure
• Inflammation
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Because it’s more potent than almost any other form of cannabis, it should be used with caution.

Potential risks and interactions

Rick Simpson oil carries the same risks as any THC product — perhaps even more so as RSO is much more intoxicating. The risks and side effects of THC include:

• Accelerated heart rate
• Anxiety/paranoia
• Coordination problems
• Delayed reaction times
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Red eyes

Avoid driving or operating machinery when using RSO or other THC products. Seek medical attention if you experience moderate or severe side effects from using Rick Simpson oil.

Also, be careful when using RSO with other medications, due to potential drug interactions. RSO may interact with:

• Antidepressants
• Opioids
• Sedatives

If you are taking medication, ask your doctor whether or not it’s safe to use RSO.

How to dose Rick Simpson oil

According to Rick Simpson, you should consume 60 grams of RSO over 90 days. You should start by taking a small drop, the size of a grain of rice, three times a day (once every 8 hours). It can be ingested, or you can apply it topically if you’re treating a skin condition.

Simpson’s protocol states that you should double your dose every four days. Then, after five weeks, you should increase your dose to a gram of oil per day until you’ve used all 60 grams.

This dosing protocol was developed for people using RSO to treat cancer. You and your doctor can discuss modifying the regimen to suit your health needs.

Avoid smoking or vaporizing RSO, as this is considered unsafe.

RSO vs. cannabis oil: Differences and similarities

Rick Simpson oil is commonly compared to regular cannabis oil, but there are some major differences.

Cannabis oil is diluted in a carrier oil like hempseed oil or medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil. To make cannabis oil, cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds are extracted from cannabis, resulting in a product with an average potency level similar to dried flower.

By contrast, RSO is undiluted. Because it’s a concentration of cannabis’s potent trichomes, it’s closer to (but stronger than) a cannabis concentrate like wax.

Another difference is how cannabis oils and RSO are packaged. While cannabis oils usually come in a dropper bottle, RSO is usually sold in a syringe to help you portion it out more easily.

Both RSO and cannabis oil are full-spectrum products, which means that they contain every cannabinoid, terpene, and flavonoid in cannabis. Full-spectrum cannabis products provide the entourage effect, in which each compound enhances the effectiveness of the others.

Hemp-derived Rick Simpson oil 

If you want to avoid THC’s intoxicating effects, hemp-derived RSO is available, which contains only a trace amount of THC — 0.3% — and high levels of cannabidiol (CBD).

Like THC, CBD may help with certain health conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia. CBD is also being explored for its potential anticancer effects, but more research is needed.

How to make Rick Simpson oil

The process of making RSO involves:

• Mixing highly purified alcohol with cannabis to create a solvent
• Straining the solvent to get rid of extra plant material
• Heating the solvent to get rid of the alcohol and other contaminants in the solvent

The heating process concentrates the extract, resulting in a thick, sticky, brown-black oil that’s ready for consumption.

Making RSO at home is not recommended, since it’s potentially dangerous — and also illegal in many places.

RSO’s legality

RSO derived from marijuana is federally illegal. But, it’s legal in most states that have legalized cannabis.

In states that have legalized only low-THC products, like Texas and Georgia, RSO is prohibited.

Hemp-derived RSO, which contains high amounts of CBD and low amounts of THC, is legal across the country.

The bottom line: RSO is potent, versatile, and full of benefits

Rick Simpson oil is a powerful cannabis extract that may help with certain health conditions. Because of its strength, you should use it only as directed by your doctor.

To explore RSO’s potential, access it legally with a medical marijuana card. The doctors at Leafwell are here to meet with you online and get you started on your application.

Resources

• Antineoplastic activity of cannabinoids. https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article-abstract/55/3/597/912322
• Cancer patients’ experiences with medicinal cannabis-related care. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7736188/
• Cannabidiol as a potential anticancer drug. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22506672/
• Cannabis as an anticancer agent: A review of clinical data and assessment of case reports. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8864433/
• Cannabis use in patients with cancer: A clinical review. https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/OP.22.00080