Concentrates 101: What is RSO & How Should You Use It?

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) isn't new, but there are some myths now cropping up that say it's less effective, even cheap. Want to know more about RSO, how to use it, and what rumors are true and which aren't? If so, this article is for you.

What Is Rick Simpson Oil?

Simply put, Rick Simpson Oil is just distilled cannabis oil. More specifically, RSO is made by washing cannabis in a solvent and then boiling off the solvent to leave you with just the oil. It is known for having high levels of THC, like many concentrates, and is thought to be beneficial in treating common symptoms associated with cancer and cancer treatments.

When Was Rick Simpson Oil First Created?

Cannabis Health

The RSO meaning is - not surprisingly - based on a man named Rick Simpson, who first began distilling his own cannabis concentrates in the early 2000s. Rick Simpson was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2003, and instead of using traditional doctor-recommended treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy, Rick Simpson created his own cannabis oil. The story goes that, after just a few treatments with his self-created cannabis oil, the cancer cells in Simpson's body disappeared. His doctors disagreed that cannabis was the reason, but the recipe he used to create his oil would become known as RSO and is often used as an alternative (sometimes supplemental) cancer treatment.

Common Rick Simpson Oil Questions and Answers

Is RSO Full Spectrum or Broad Spectrum?

One of the things that makes RSO so effective is that it's a full-spectrum, whole-plant extract that benefits from the entourage effect, wherein all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other active compounds within cannabis work together to provide a unique, synergistic response within your body.

How Does RSO Differ from Other Concentrates?

RSO differs from other concentrates in several ways, the most prominent of which are:

1. RSO is a full-spectrum extract that offers a holistic plant approach.
2. RSO is incredibly potent and can have THC concentrations higher than 90%.
3. RSO is taken orally and not through combustion.

While it doesn't taste great, its effects seem to speak for themselves.

Different Forms of Rick Simpson Oil and How to Use Them

RSO is a specific recipe that calls for roughly a pound of cannabis plant matter to be soaked in isopropyl alcohol and then boiled until it thickens, which must then be transferred to an RSO tincture. Simpson wrote an essay on how to produce his oil, which should be followed precisely if you truly want to make Rick Simpson Oil. It's also meant to be used in a single, specific way - via an RSO syringe. Simpson claims that using a syringe to apply the concentrate sublingually (under your tongue) is the most effective way to use it. However, some people do create RSO capsules.

The Top 3 Rick Simpson Oil Brands

Buy Rick Simpson Oil

While the best way to ensure that you're using real Rick Simpson Oil is to create it yourself, there are also brands throughout the US and Canada that make Rick Simpson Oils, so you don't have to go through the creation process. Here are a few of the most notable brands.

Skagit Organics

Based out of Washington - and marketed as Washington's original RSO - Skagit Organics offers high-end RSO you can rely upon. It is DOH compliant and even offers individualized patient consultations. Their product is good, but they truly excel at connecting medical cannabis patients with exactly what they need. They offer infused products like Honey Nugs and Honey Rocks. If you live in Washington and want quality RSO and a community to go with it, this company is for you.

LePow Extracts

Based out of Denver, Colorado, LePow Extracts' management team started operations within the medical cannabis industry in 2009 and has since worked to create an affordable, clean, dependable product. Their products are lab tested and available in dozens of Colorado dispensaries throughout Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo West, and more. While they have more than just RSO, we highly recommend this company if you're in Colorado and don't want to make your own.

Simpson Foundation, Inc.

Of course, if we're talking about the best places to buy RSO, we must include the original. The Simpson Foundation, Inc. has officially begun creating what they call the highest quality Rick Simpson Oil available. They first launched their product in 2021, using Rick's original recipe. You can get 1 to 60 grams of RSO and suppositories, capsules, and tincture bottles that are $100 per ounce.

The Benefits of Rick Simpson Oil

While there is little scientific evidence behind the benefits of RSO oil benefits, it is widely known throughout the cannabis community to be an effective cancer treatment. There have been many self-reported cases of patients with cancer experiencing regression while using RSO oil. Please note that this is not confirmed via research, and Where's Weed is not making any medical suggestions.

Like other cannabis products, RSO has more than one medicinal benefit. There are several other common ways that ROS capsules, tinctures, and concentrates are used medicinally. Using RSO for pain management, both chronic and acute, is not uncommon, and many patients use it to alleviate the side effects associated with the following conditions:

• Arthritis
• Inflammation
• High Blood Pressure
• Depression and Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Asthma

While not much research has gone into studying the actual effectiveness of RSO in treating these medical conditions, it seems there is at least a strong case for giving RSO the scientific attention the patients that could benefit from it deserve. And, at the very least, RSO might offer a respite from the stresses of complex medical situations like cancer.

Do you use Rick Simpson Oil? Let us know what brands you use, how you use them, and why you prefer it to other concentrates. Comment below!