Category: Accessories

All You Need to Know About Rick Simpson Oil

Rick Simpson Oil (or RSO for short) is one of the most versatile and highly praised innovations in cannabis you are ever likely to hear about. This widely acclaimed oil was created by a Canadian scientist named (you guessed it) Rick Simpson, who also happens to be an engineer and cannabis advocate. Rick became a staunch supporter of CBD oil following a work accident that led to health issues.

As a result of these health problems, Rick sought various solutions to alleviate the pain, one of which was cannabis extract.

The story goes that he was able to solve his health issues with cannabis oil, now commonly referred to as RSO, which is basically a cannabis extract similar to tar. RSO comes in concentrated, edible, and topical forms. According to advocates (of which there are many), there are very few things it allegedly can’t do and many things it supposedly can do for both medical patients and recreational users alike – again, according to supporters of Rick Simpson oil. 

Of all the alleged conditions RSO is alleged to help with, chief amongst them is the remarkable assertion that various types of cancer can not only be treated but, in some cases, even cured.

THC Content

RSO is unique from a lot of regular cannabis products and oils because it contains far higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (also known as THC), which is the main psychoactive within the cannabinoids in marijuana and, ultimately, the component that gets people “high.” 

Most other therapeutic cannabis oils are usually composed of cannabidiol (CBD) and contain little to no THC whatsoever. Conversely, RSO goes to the other extreme and contains huge amounts of it.

It is worth noting that Rick Simpson doesn’t actually sell RSO, thus removing himself from any claims that may exist along the lines of him being a ‘snake oil’ salesman. It should also be noted that Rick Simpson is a highly educated man of science who simply believes in RSO and encourages people to make their own using his methods.

Wide Range Of Treatments?

According to Rick Simpson’s own website, his version of the oil is produced with a specific type of cannabis called Cannabis indica, which delivers a sedative effect that (apparently) helps the body heal.

In addition to helping with cancer, RSO is also said to help treat the following:

• Asthma
• Depression
• High blood pressure
• Inflammation
• Infections
• Insomnia
• Multiple sclerosis

So, is there any truth to the benefits of this interesting creation, and does it really help, at least in a quantifiable medical sense? GetKush has unturned every stone (no pun intended) to get to the bottom of this so-called miracle potion and find the answers you need. This is a subject we happen to know a thing or two about, but as Canada’s leading online cannabis dispensary, you wouldn’t expect any less, would you?

Read on as we take a look at everything you need to know about RSO.

Rick Simpson’s Story

Back in 1997, Rick Simpson worked as an engineer in Canada. Due to a nasty work accident, he suffered from constant headaches and tinnitus, which, despite several hospital tests and prescribed medications, he never truly managed to escape from. The pain was relentless, unmitigated, and unforgiving.

After watching a television program on medical cannabis in 1999, he tried marijuana and, just like many others, was delighted with the relief it provided. He went to his doctor to ask for a prescription for medical cannabis, but his request was denied. 

Again, this is the late nineties, when cannabis products were still viewed with huge skepticism in the medical community. To that end, the use of Cannabis for pain relief was considered extremely leftfield. The only way to truly explore the option of cannabis as a pain relief would be to do so himself.

Unrelenting Pain

The symptoms of his illness worsened to the point where he could no longer lead a normal life. Tired of the lack of any real solution and after reading something about the potential healing benefits of THC and CBD, he decided to find an alternative healing method himself. Subsequently, he grew cannabis plants, before making an oil extract from the flowers. 

He took the oil daily, and according to his statements, he felt better day by day. At first, his sleep improved, but then he noticed his pain and blood pressure were gradually reduced. Slowly but surely, he returned to a normal life.

But then tragedy struck, in the form of a 2002 basal cell carcinoma diagnosis – the most common form of skin cancer. He underwent surgery a year later, but then barely a few weeks after the operation, the tumour was present once again. After the failure of conventional treatments, Simpson relied on his now eponymous cannabis oil, the Rick Simpson Oil. He applied it directly to his affected skin, hoping the oil would help.

It certainly did. So much so, in fact, that he claims his melanoma disappeared after just four days.

Testing Patients

Enthusiastic about his success, he gave his oil to more than 5,000 people, according to his statements, who suffered from various types of cancer, leukemia, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic pain, and viral or bacterial infections. 

This was Simpson’s very own unapproved but effective and well-organized medical test, hoping to see if his cure was a one-time ‘lucky fluke’ or if there was indeed any merit to the oil. 

He claimed to have achieved a success rate of 70% and was able to improve the quality of life of patients, even if it was already too late for the disease to be cured. Either way, his test – while unofficial and without proper governing supervision – was an incredible success with laudable results.

What Exactly Is Rick Simpson Oil?

Simpson created a cannabis oil that has a very high concentration of THC, approximately 80-90% in fact. His oil contains the full plant extract, which can be taken orally or applied topically. 

Obviously, there are some finer nuanced details in play here, but to address the technique in creating RSO using layman’s terms, the oil is basically extracted Using a solvent which, in turn, releases the cannabinoids. The most common solvent used to make RSO is essentially just grain alcohol, ethanol, or butane.

After some time, the alcohol is strained from the remaining plant material. This plant mixture is then heated until the remaining alcohol evaporates, leaving behind a dark-coloured cannabis oil with a thick consistency. RSO is actually quite famed for its tar-like look and feel.

The process isn’t particularly complicated, and the recipe for making the oil can be found on Rick Simpson’s website. He recommends a high dosage of up to one gram daily for a duration of two months in order to address common ailments or even diseases. It is worth noting, however, that there is no official medical research in support of RSO, and all results are purely anecdotal. 

It is also worth noting that despite the relative ease with which RSO can be made at home, if you would prefer to avoid the trial and error usually associated with this kind of thing, we do have RSO available right here, should you prefer the more convenient option of buying it – instead of concocting it in your kitchen!

What Does Science Say About Rick Simpson Oil?

So far, hundreds of scientific studies have been published on cannabinoids and cancer, but these studies have not found enough evidence to support the claim that cannabis is a safe and effective cancer treatment. However, research is ongoing. Thousands of scientists are investigating the potential of cannabinoids for cancer and other diseases as part of the International Cannabinoid Research Society.

A growing number of people, many of whom are respected in their various scientific fields, state that there is solid evidence pointing towards cannabis helping with cancer symptoms (at the very least) or even curing cancer completely (at the very most).

In fairness, however, the claim that there is solid evidence that cannabis can cure cancer is misleading and scientifically unproven. This is because almost all studies have been conducted in the laboratory or in animal experiments. While they are an essential part of research and can provide hints about the benefits of certain treatments, without human studies, the effectiveness of cannabis against cancer cannot be proven.

The best results from laboratory studies have so far been achieved with a combination of highly pure THC and cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid that occurs in cannabis plants and counteracts the psychoactive effects of THC. There have been fascinating results from laboratory experiments that investigated various types of cancer, including brain tumours, prostate, breast, lung, and pancreatic cancer.

Anecdotal Evidence

While it is true that there may be limited scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of cannabis in treating cancer, there is a growing body of anecdotal evidence that suggests it can be beneficial for some (but certainly not all) patients. 

Many cancer patients have reported that cannabis helped them manage symptoms such as pain, nausea, and anxiety, and some have even claimed that it helped shrink their tumours entirely. Although these reports are not scientifically validated, they cannot and certainly should not be dismissed outright. 

With more and more patients turning to cannabis for relief, it is important for the medical community to take a closer look at the potential benefits of this plant for cancer treatment. While further research is needed, it is clear that cannabis – and RSO in particular – has the potential to provide significant relief for cancer patients and improve their quality of life.

In other words, the waters are quite muddy in this regard because opinion is divided. There seem to be very few people sitting on the fence when it comes to this topic, with most people either staunchly for RSO in cancer treatment or staunchly against.

Either way, it would be fair to say one thing; cannabis is (generally speaking) quite a harmless substance with many established benefits, and so it might be fair to argue that it certainly can’t do any harm and might be worth trying, in addition to prescribed medicines. The decision, as always, should be left to the patient. Get Kush neither condones nor dismisses the notion of using RSO as a medical solution.

Is It Worth It?

So, should you try RSO as a means to treat cancer? The bottom line is that it is not our place to say. While thousands of people believe in the RSO formula – and it has been around for close to three decades already – the success of using RSO to treat any ailment or illness is anecdotal only.

That said, the anecdotal evidence is very strong indeed, and while we would never encourage anyone to use RSO as a sole treatment, we would suggest that, at the very least, it is worth investigating.

Subject of Debate

When it comes to alternative cancer treatments, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) has generated quite a buzz. Made from cannabis and touted by its creator as a miracle cure, it’s no surprise that people are curious – especially in light of the fact

that he isn’t actually selling anything here, and this is quite an educated man we are talking about. But before you start making your own RSO, there are some important things to consider.

First off, let’s talk about the side effects. THC, the psychoactive substance in cannabis, can cause a range of psychological and physical symptoms to various degrees, and if you have never taken cannabis before, it can be something of a shock. From paranoia and anxiety to low blood pressure and bloodshot eyes, the list is quite extensive. 

But the good news is, these side effects are typically short-lived and don’t pose any major health risks, and remember, there is a reason cannabis is so popular worldwide. Most people enjoy the effects.

Interesting But Unproven

The main area of concern with RSO lies in its purported cancer-fighting properties. While there are anecdotal reports of success, there simply isn’t enough scientific evidence to support the idea that RSO is indeed a cure for cancer. This can be especially dangerous if someone foregoes conventional treatments recommended by their doctor in favour of RSO.

Also, while the process is quite simple for those who are experienced with cannabis, making your own RSO is a complicated and potentially dangerous process. The other consideration is that obtaining the necessary amount of marijuana is illegal in many areas, and the process itself involves using solvents that can cause explosions if not handled properly. In addition, these solvents can leave behind a cancer-causing residue if not disposed of correctly.

Again, with that in mind, a far better solution would be to grab RSO off the shelf and negate these concerns in the process. 

The Bottom Line

So, what exactly can you take from all of this? Essentially, If you are considering using RSO for cancer, it’s important to keep up with any other treatments recommended by your doctor. And if you live somewhere that allows medical marijuana, consider seeking advice from a dispensary on how to obtain a pre-made oil. 

While RSO may seem like a promising alternative, as with anything in life, it is crucial to weigh the risks and benefits carefully before making any decisions.