Whole Plant Remedy: How to Use Rick Simpson Oil and Its Therapeutic Properties

Discover the profound benefits of Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), a potent full-spectrum extract derived from the entire cannabis plant. Well known for its therapeutic potential, RSO can be extracted from all cannabis varieties, providing a holistic blend of THC, cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other essential compounds. This comprehensive guide explores the benefits of RSO.

With THC levels ranging from 75%-95%, RSO stands as a potent whole-plant remedy. Classic RSO is made with Indica strains but can be extracted from any cannabis variety. Learn how to utilize the therapeutic properties of RSO and navigate its diverse cannabinoid profile for optimal health and wellness.

How Cannabis is Processed to Make RSO

RSO is made with whole cannabis flower, ideally after proper drying and curing. While Rick Simpson originally used isopropyl alcohol as the solvent for his extraction, contemporary methods use high-proof or food-grade ethanol which is food-safe. Rick Simpson originally used RSO topically to address his skin cancer, but today RSO is used both topically and by ingestion.

Extraction Process:

1. Heat cannabis flower in the oven at 240 degrees for 40 minutes. This decarboxylates the cannabis and converts THCA to THC.

2. 90%-100% Ethanol is poured over the decarboxylated cannabis flower and left to infused for a few hours.

3. Ethanol is strained out of the container and soaked cannabis flower is discarded.

4. Ethanol is then evaporated off using gentle heat. Some individuals may also let the ethanol evaporate naturally as it is highly flammable. There are various ways to do this, but the important thing is to use low heat.

5. Once all of the ethanol has evaporated, the finished oil can be warmed and drawn into an oral syringe.

How Does RSO Help?

Rick Simpson initially applied RSO topically to treat his skin cancer, using it multiple times a day over several months until he eventually went into remission. Subsequently, he ventured into experimenting with RSO ingestion.

While the original use of RSO was for topical application in cancer treatment, its versatility has proven beneficial for a variety of health concerns. Notably, RSO has played a significant role in alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy. It is recognized for its ability to mitigate pain, relieve nausea, and stimulate appetite.

RSO is also known to help with a variety of other conditions such as:

• Chronic Pain
• Arthritis
• Insomnia
• Inflammation
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Depression
• Neuropathy
• Tremors

I work with numerous patients with chronic conditions, and RSO is many individual’s go-to choice for symptom management. RSO is one of the most effective options for pain management as well as a variety of other uses.

Depending on the legality in your area, RSO can be purchased at a local dispensary. These products will be available in RSO syringes, capsules, and sometimes tinctures. I generally recommend purchasing RSO syringes for those in need of a higher dose; and tinctures and capsules if a lower, more accurate dose is required.

How to Dose RSO

RSO is an extremely potent medicine and it is crucial to dose it correctly to avoid excessive intoxication. This is not meant to dissuade anyone but rather to encourage learning how to use it safely and effectively.

If you have not taken RSO before and lack experience with ingestible THC, I recommend starting with a pre-dosed capsule, if possible. Remember, with ingestibles, you can always take more, but you can’t take less.

My general dosing guide is as follows:

5mg- Start here, as everyone’s sensitivity to THC varies. This dose may offer relief without significant intoxication for some individuals.

10mg- Recommended for someone who has tried a 5mg dose with little to no effect or relief. If the individual is using cannabis specifically for sleep this is also a good starting point.

25mg- This may induce a perceptual “high” for most people. Not recommended for those with no edible experience. Consider this if 5–10mg didn’t provide the desired effect. This is also where I normally start those who have made homemade edibles in the past which were fairly strong but did not know the dose.

50mg- A strong dose for users with measured edibles experience. This is the next step if 25mg doesn’t provide relief.

100mg- The highest dose I have found in dispensary capsules. Reserved for individuals who found no effect at 50mg. If 50mg had some effect, consider cautious adjustments, as doubling the dose is a significant difference.

100mg should have some effect or relief for almost anyone. If this has no effect, consider another method of delivery. Some individuals may lack the enzyme responsible for processing THC through ingestion. There are a few other ingestible products that the body absorbs differently that may work. These include BOOST pills as well as any nanoemulsion product. Sublingual absorption under the tongue with RSO or tincture could also be an option.

It is also worth noting that if you require a dose over 50mg, purchasing the full RSO syringes is the more cost-effective option. Purchasing the RSO syringe and encapsulating the oil yourself would also be an option.

RSO and Cancer

Rick Simpson famously used RSO topically to treat his skin cancer over the course of a few months. Eventually, his skin cancer went into remission. There is not much research to support cannabis killing cancer cells at this time. This being said, there are compounds found in cannabis that have powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. More research is needed to fully understand any effects RSO may have on cancer.

RSO excels at treating cancer-related pain as well as common symptoms from chemotherapy treatments. This includes but is not limited to pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping. Medical cannabis is very effective in treating many of these symptoms. The goal for the patient is to help maintain quality of life. RSO is one of the best ways to do exactly that.

Rick Simpson’s Dosing Schedule

This is the dosing schedule that Rick Simpson developed after treating his skin cancer topically with RSO.

The full suggested course is 60 grams of RSO over 90 days.

1. Begin with a drop about half the size of a grain of rice three times a day. This could be done morning, noon, and night.
2. Double the amount of RSO every 4–6 days. Tolerance to the medicine should increase as you use it consistently and increase your dose.
3. Most people will take 3–5 weeks to get to the point where they can tolerate 1 gram of RSO per day.
4. Continue taking 1 gram of RSO per day until the full 60 grams is finished.
5. Take 1–2 grams of RSO per month as a maintenance dose.
6. This course can be repeated with each round of chemotherapy or as needed per the needs of the individual.

Let me be clear that a full gram of RSO per day is a significant amount. Considering its cost, it may be impractical for many individuals, and consuming such a quantity may not be feasible for everyone. Many people will not be able to tolerate a full gram of RSO per day and that is perfectly okay. The key is to use RSO safely, consistently, and in a manner that achieves the desired effects. That being said, I would recommend taking as much RSO as you feel comfortable with per day, up to a gram

RSO Syringe Best Practices

If you are looking for convenience, RSO capsules are often the way to go but they can be costly at high dosages. RSO Syringes are more cost-effective but can be difficult to use at times. This is what I have learned on best practices in using an RSO syringe safely and accurately.

RSO has a high amount of chlorophylls, waxes, and lipids compared to other concentrated forms of cannabis. As a result, RSO tends to be very thick. Always warm RSO in your hands, or in a glass of warm water. Just be certain to stick the cap out of the water so you do not damage any of the product. Warming the RSO loosens up the oil and allows for much easier dispensing.

While you are squeezing out the RSO keep an eye on the measurements on the syringe. This is how you will determine your dose. Every “0.1ml” will correspond in mg to the Thc% on the package. For example, if you have an RSO that has 80% THC and 3% CBD you would have 80mg of THC and 3 mg of CBD for every 0.1ml of RSO.

RSO is most effective when taken with fatty food. THC binds to saturated fats, therefore increasing efficacy and potency. Similarly, you can also use RSO to mix into baked goods as well. If you are baking with RSO, be certain to stay below 275 degrees Fahrenheit as you could vaporize the THC or numerous other therapeutic compounds. I put RSO on a scoop of peanut butter as I find this masks the taste as well as giving the THC something fatty to bind to.

Conclusion

RSO stands out as one of the most therapeutic forms of cannabis accessible today. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for various reasons, and individual experiences may naturally vary. Nonetheless, the information provided should offer a solid foundation for those considering its use.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and this article is not intended as medical advice. Please seek guidance from a medical professional regarding medical conditions. This article is what I know from working years in the cannabis industry as well as research currently available. The legality of cannabis where you live may vary. Please check local laws.