What is Rick Simpson Oil? Rick Simpson Oil, commonly known as RSO, represents a groundbreaking advancement in the field of cannabis. Created by Rick Simpson, a Canadian engineer and advocate for cannabis, RSO emerged as a remedy for his own health challenges following an accident at work. This dense, tar-like substance blurs the lines between concentrates, edibles, and topicals, celebrated for its adaptability and therapeutic benefits.
The inception of RSO is intertwined with Simpson’s path to cannabis activism, fueled by his personal journey to wellness with the aid of the oil. Despite its less-than-pleasant taste due to its use of the entire cannabis plant, RSO encapsulates a diverse array of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other botanical elements. Its extraction process, akin to crafting a tincture, is recognized for its effectiveness in managing various health conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, and asthma.
Although Simpson is no longer involved in RSO production, its importance remains steadfast in the treatment protocols of patients throughout North America.
Rick Simpson’s Story
Rick Simpson’s story isn’t about chasing cannabis celebrity status. In 1997, while working as a Canadian engineer, he faced hazardous conditions in a hospital boiler room covered in asbestos. This environment led to a fall, resulting in troubling symptoms like tinnitus and dizziness that conventional treatments couldn’t alleviate. Despite medical advice to the contrary, Simpson turned to medical marijuana and found relief.
In 2003, a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma catapulted Simpson into the realm of cannabis advocacy. Despite Canada legalizing medical cannabis, finding supportive medical professionals proved challenging. Encouraged by a 1975 study demonstrating cannabis’s potential to inhibit tumors in mice, Simpson developed RSO, claiming it cured his cancer, though this assertion lacks independent verification.
Distributing RSO freely to thousands of patients led to legal troubles in 2009 when Canadian authorities raided his property, confiscating numerous cannabis plants. Seeking refuge from legal persecution, Simpson now resides in Croatia, maintaining an online platform for RSO recipes, dosage guidelines, and educational material. Despite experiencing a stroke in 2018, Simpson’s commitment to RSO and medical cannabis persists, although he has withdrawn from public visibility.
RSO Advantages
What is rso? Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) has attracted attention for its potential advantages, although scientific support is hindered by cannabis’s Schedule I classification. However, as legalization progresses, more data is emerging.
Encouraging reports include a 2013 study showcasing RSO’s efficacy in reducing leukemic blast cell count in a terminally ill patient without adverse effects. Anecdotal evidence suggests RSO may aid in managing various conditions such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, cancer, insomnia, chronic pain, and asthma.
As a highly potent THC product, RSO may provide therapeutic benefits like pain relief, appetite stimulation, sleep improvement, and nausea reduction. Nevertheless, without comprehensive studies, these benefits cannot be assured.
Despite many cancer patients incorporating cannabis into their treatments, primary care teams often lack guidance on its effective integration. Therefore, further research is necessary to optimize RSO’s role in treatment.
Inspired by his own cancer battle, Rick Simpson developed RSO with the aim of replicating a 1975 study demonstrating cannabis’s potential to combat cancer cells. While Simpson claims topical RSO cured his skin cancer, its effectiveness for internal cancers remains unverified. Nevertheless, numerous patients have reported symptom alleviation and enhanced quality of life with RSO usage.
For cancer patients contemplating RSO, consulting with a primary care physician is imperative.
Chronic pain, including back pain, is a prevalent reason for RSO usage. RSO formulations often contain high-THC, indica-dominant cannabis, with THC binding to CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, potentially diminishing pain sensation. Gradually increasing dosage is advised to manage intoxication.
Is Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) Harmful?
What is rso weed? Despite its high THC concentration, RSO consumption doesn’t pose a risk of overdose, fatality, or lasting adverse effects. Its dangers parallel those of consuming large doses of any cannabis product, such as edibles or concentrates, which can induce intense intoxication, necessitating a wait for the effects to diminish.
Dispensary-sourced RSO undergoes stringent laboratory testing to ensure it’s devoid of solvents, pesticides, mold, and fungi, ensuring product safety. However, crafting RSO at home involves perilous processes like evaporating flammable ethanol solvents. Other solvents utilized may be explosive or emit harmful fumes, potentially leaving residual alcohol in the rso oil.
For peace of mind regarding quality, it’s advisable to obtain RSO from licensed dispensaries.
Where Can You Acquire Rick Simpson Oil?
RSO, containing THC, is exclusively accessible in licensed dispensaries located within states permitting adult-use cannabis or medical marijuana. Nonetheless, not all dispensaries carry RSO due to its lesser popularity and higher cost relative to other cannabis products.
Considerations Regarding RSO Costs
RSO comes at a premium compared to items like gummies or flower. Prices fluctuate depending on state and local tax laws, typically falling between $35 and $70 per gram. Adhering to the recommended RSO regimen, which mandates 60 grams, can incur expenses of at least $2,100.
Using RSO: Common Approaches and Key Points
RSO is typically used either orally or topically. Rick Simpson famously applied it topically to treat his skin cancer, though the endorsement of this method by his physician is not confirmed.
Timeframe for Effects
Adapting to RSO without experiencing intoxication usually takes several weeks. While some effects might appear within days, substantial relief often occurs when the daily dosage reaches one gram, which might require up to five weeks.
For Skin Conditions
When applying RSO topically, cover the affected area with a bandage after application for better absorption. Repeat this process every other day.
For Internal Conditions
Ingesting RSO is a common approach for addressing internal issues like pain and immune disorders. This method involves gradually increasing doses over weeks. Seeking advice from a qualified medical professional is recommended.
Dosage Guidelines
This guide adheres to Rick Simpson’s suggestion of consuming 60 grams of RSO over a 90-day period. However, it lacks review by medical professionals.
Potential Side Effects
Gradually increasing RSO dosage can help minimize potential side effects such as sedation or dizziness. Combining RSO with CBD-rich products may counteract the intoxicating effects of THC.
Smoking or Dabbing RSO
While RSO can be smoked or dabbed, it’s best utilized when mixed with flower or incorporated into joints and blunts. Purchasing lab-tested RSO is advised to avoid harmful additives.
Cooking with RSO
RSO can be included in cooked meals, but exposure to temperatures exceeding 300ºF may diminish its effectiveness. It’s preferable to add RSO to already cooked dishes or uncooked components like sauces or beverages for optimal outcomes.
Basic for RSO Dosage
RSO Treatment Plan
In accordance with Simpson’s advice, while taking the oil orally is preferred, patients can also opt for using it as a suppository, adhering to the same dosage guidelines.
Weeks 1-3: Initiate with three small daily doses
Begin by taking a small amount of RSO every eight hours (in the morning, midday, and evening), each dose roughly half the size of a grain of rice; the starting dose is about ¼ drop of RSO from an oil syringe.
Weeks 4-5: Incrementally raise dosage every four days
Following Simpson’s recommendations, most patients typically need four to five weeks to reach the full daily dosage of one gram of RSO, starting from half a grain of rice. Dosages should still be spaced every eight hours.
Weeks 6-12: Maintain one gram daily
Continue the daily intake of one gram of RSO until reaching a total consumption of 60 grams. This equates to roughly 8-9 rice-sized drops every eight hours.
Continued Maintenance
Once adjusted to the daily one-gram RSO routine and completing the suggested 60 grams, patients can reduce the dosage to a more sustainable level to manage costs. Simpson’s website suggests consuming one to two grams monthly to maintain a steady supply of cannabinoids.
Creating RSO (Rick Simpson Oil)
Here’s a simplified set of steps for producing RSO, following Simpson’s method. Remember, work in a well-ventilated space and steer clear of open flames.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (~450 grams) of dried cannabis (ideally indica strains)
- 8-9 liters of solvent (Simpson suggests 99% isopropyl alcohol)
Equipment:
- Two five-gallon buckets
- Electric rice cooker (avoid slow cookers)
- Large wooden spoon or stirring utensil
- Funnel
- Plastic syringes
- Coffee filters or cheesecloth
- Large fan (for ventilation)
- Optional: Stainless steel measuring cup, coffee warmer
Directions:
- Preparation: Put cannabis into one bucket and cover with solvent. Stir well, avoiding flames.
- Mixing: Stir mixture for about three minutes to dissolve THC.
- Straining: Filter mixture through cheesecloth into the second bucket.
- Repeat: Return plant material to first bucket, add more solvent, and stir again.
- Second Strain: Filter mixture into second bucket again, discarding plant material.
- Evaporation: Pour the solvent into the rice cooker. Heat at 210-230°F (100-110°C) to evaporate solvent.
- Gradual Evaporation: Gradually add mixture to the rice cooker.
- Final Steps: Once solvent is gone, fill syringes with the thick oil. If it’s too thick, warm the syringe under hot water for easier dispensing.
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