Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a full-spectrum extract cannabis product made by Canadian cannabis activist Rick Simpson. RSO is regarded for its higher-than-usual THC content. There is also the belief that RSO can help treat or cure cancer and other conditions. However, little clinical evidence exists to support the claim at this time. Still, the lack of clinical analysis has not deterred numerous medical patients from seeking relief for cancer and other burdensome medical symptoms.
This article will explore just what Rick Simpson Oil is, how it’s used, and what it’s used for. We also go over commonly asked questions about this unique cannabis concentrate.
What is RSO?
RSO is a cannabis oil that contains most of the original plant compounds. Unlike other extracts that often lose or strip particular compounds (like THC, additional cannabinoids, terpenes, and more), RSO retains much of the plant profile.
The oil's consistency differs considerably from most extracts on the market. Rather than yellow or golden, RSO is a thick, dark oil that some have likened to tar. Rather than being used for dabs, RSO is typically ingested using a syringe but can also be used as a topical, in a vape cartridge, or in edibles.
The stark differences from standard extracts are intentional. RSO has always been intended as a medical cannabis option rather than a recreational product. Simpson created the oil to treat his basal cell carcinoma and, eventually, for others with various health conditions, spanning from cancer to respiratory symptoms.1 And while cannabis is not an accepted cancer treatment, the reported benefits of RSO made it a highly sought after product by medical cannabis patients.
Simpson eventually stopped making the oil himself and put the tincture-like extraction process online for others to make. The process can be complex, and many consumers prefer to purchase RSO from a dispensary.
What is RSO Used For?
Medical cannabis patients with a wide array of treatment goals have embraced RSO.
Anecdotes and minimal lab research links RSO to possibly treating conditions such as:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Epilepsy
RSO and Chronic Pain
Research regarding cannabis’ impact on chronic pain has been ongoing for quite a while now.2 With studies suggesting that the plant can help manage pain symptoms, many believe that RSO can do the same thanks to its higher potency.
Most researchers feel that additional research is required to support cannabis’ potential benefits on chronic pain symptoms.3 Further analyses are being conducted to understand how long pain patients may feel the benefits of THC, with some tests concluding the results are short-term. Few, if any, studies have delved into RSO’s potential long-term impacts. Still, many patients are turning to it, often relying on existing patient feedback and broader studies on cannabis and pain relief.
RSO and Cancer Symptoms
Most of all, Rick Simpson Oil has been historically associated with cancer patients who have used the oil to help alleviate side effects that can result from existing cancer treatments, such as nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, pain relief, and improving appetite to help combat cachexia.
Other potential benefits are also being explored. For example, in one study, cannabis combined with radiation treatment saw dramatic reductions in tumor volumes in certain subjects.4 However, a great deal more study is needed to verify these claims. And cannabis in any form - including RSO - is not currently an accepted cancer treatment.
What are the Pros and Cons of RSO?
RSO’s benefits are primarily medical, with self-reports suggesting a far range of relief. It also has its perks as a versatile cannabis product. Common benefits cited by consumers include:
- Consumption versatility (syringe, edible, topical, vape, etc.)
- Neuropathic pain relief
- Sleep aid
- Nausea relief
- Potential to address various additional medical conditions
Still, further research is needed, and potential drawbacks exist. While most drawbacks of using RSO center on classic high-dose cannabis traps, access to RSO can also be a hurdle for many consumers, especially those who don’t live near a medical cannabis dispensary.
Typical overconsumption drawbacks include:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Irritability
- Loss of balance
- Eye irritation
- Impaired memory
Additionally, consider barriers to access, like price and availability depending on the state. Costs typically range between $35 to $70 per gram, and many recreational dispensaries don’t consistently carry RSO.
Patients also need to keep in mind any potential adverse effects created by drug interactions, like antibiotics or SSRIs. Be sure to consult a physician before using RSO, especially if you already use other medications or supplements.
How to Use RSO
RSO is known for the versatile consumption options patients have when using it. Still, it’s most commonly used in a syringe, in liquid form.
The chart below can serve as a useful dosing guide for oral consumption, but keep in mind that RSO dosing can vary by patient and needs.
| Week | Suggested Dosage |
| 1 | 1/4 of a syringe drop every eight hours |
| 2 | ½ of a syringe drop every eight hours |
| 3 | 1/4 of a syringe drop every eight hours |
| 4 | 1/2 of a syringe drop every eight hours |
| 5 | 1 syringe drop every eight hours |
| 6 | 2 syringe drops every eight hours |
| 7-12 | One gram per day spread across three doses, taken every eight hours |
RSO is also commonly used as a topical, providing patients with a non-psychoactive application. Uses will vary by person and need, but typically, patients are recommended to apply the oil to the skin a few times per day, covering it with a bandage after application. Some users also like combining RSO with coconut oil to help reduce the oil's thick consistency.
Keep in mind that while there are some RSO vapes, smoking RSO is not standard or often recommended.
How to Make RSO
Simpson has long empowered others to make their own RSO at home. The process can be rather complex, but making your own oil is highly beneficial, especially for patients who need more significant quantities of oil or anyone unable to locate or afford RSO sold in stores.
Over time, some consumers have put their variations on Simpson's process. However, those looking to make the original 60-gram recipe can follow the instructions below:
Ingredients Needed:
- One pound (450 grams) of dry cannabis flower
- Eight to nine liters of 99% isopropyl alcohol
Equipment Needed:
- 2 five-gallon buckets
- Electric rice cooker
- Large wooden stirring utensil
- Funnel
- Plastic syringes
- Coffee filters or a cheesecloth
- Fan (for ventilation)
Optional Equipment:
- Stainless steel measuring cup
- Coffee warmer
RSO Recipe
Step 1
- Put your flower in one of the buckets.
Step 2
- Pour in solvents (alcohol) in the bucket using your utensil to stir and muddle the flower as you pour. Continue until the flower is entirely under the solvent.
Step 3
- Stir for 3-5 minutes to dissolve the THC into your solvent.
Step 4
- Strain the flower by pouring the mixture through the filter or cheesecloth and into your second bucket.
Step 5
- Put the strained flower back into the first bucket and add more solvent. Repeat the first step while stirring for 3-5 minutes.
Step 6
- Again, drain the solvent into your second bucket using a cheesecloth or filter.
Step 7
- Add your strained solvent to the rice cooker until ¾ of the way full. Then, turn on the rice cooker to 220°F. This will decarboxylate your mixture, activating the THC.
Step 8
- As the solvent slowly evaporates, add more to the rice cooker over time.
Step 9
- Once fully evaporated, funnel the remaining oil in the rice cooker into your plastic syringes.
Where to Buy RSO
Availability isn’t as widespread for Rick Simpson Oil as other cannabis products. Buying it from online stores and dispensaries isn’t always as easy as standard extracts, and many patients choose to stock up by purchasing as much RSO as they’re allowed to buy when they find it in stock. Thankfully, RSO’s increasing popularity is driving more producers to enter the market to satisfy patient demand.
Keep in mind that not all RSO is made with the same care or goes through the same extensive testing. Unfortunately, some producers are either bad actors creating substandard products or lack the production skills needed to do the job right. In either case, you have to be a vigilant consumer. Before buying RSO (or any cannabis product), check for the company’s certificates of analysis (COA). Look for products with recent batch lab tests, a clear breakdown of the plant compounds, and confirmation that no contaminants are present.
Rick Simpson Oil FAQ
What is the shelf life of RSO?
When properly stored, Rick Simpson Oil can last as long as 10 years. With any THC product, there is some risk of potency loss over time as THC breaks down.
How do I store RSO?
RSO should be stored like most cannabis products. Placing your oil in an airtight, UV-protected glass and stored in a cool, dark place is the best way to preserve your oil's freshness.
Is RSO safe to use despite its high THC content?
Yes, RSO and its high THC potency is generally reported as safe for consumers. However, newcomers and those unfamiliar with high-dose products may want to use the start low, go slow method to best avoid any adverse effects from overconsumption.
How long does it take RSO to work?
Typically, consumers begin to feel the effects of RSO in one to two hours. Many consumers also report improved effects after scaling up their RSO regime over the course of one or two months.
How long does it take to acclimatize to the effects of RSO?
Various methods of consumption (and your experience level) can alter the answer, but when following a standard dosing guide, patients tend to acclimate around week 5.
Can I use RSO as part of an edible recipe?
Yes, once decarboxylated, adding RSO to an edible recipe should be as easy as adding any other cannabis product when cooking or baking.
Sources:
1. Velasco G, Sánchez C, Guzmán M. Anticancer mechanisms of cannabinoids. Current Oncology. 2016;23:23. doi:10.3747/co.23.3080
2. Bains S, Mukhdomi T. Medicinal Cannabis for Treatment of Chronic Pain. StatPearls Publishing; 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574562/
3. Hill KP, Palastro MD, Johnson B, Ditre JW. Cannabis and Pain: A Clinical Review. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. 2017;2(1):96-104. doi:10.1089/can.2017.0017
4. Scott KA, Dalgleish AG, Liu WM. The Combination of Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Enhances the Anticancer Effects of Radiation in an Orthotopic Murine Glioma Model. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. 2014;13(12):2955-2967. doi:10.1158/1535-7163.mct-14-0402
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
