RSO, also known as Rick Simpson Oil, is a versatile Full Spectrum Cannabis Oil recognized for its potential to help patients alleviate a wide range of symptoms. Full Spectrum Oils (FSOs) contain a myriad of cannabis compounds – cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, found in the originating cannabis strain providing synergistic relief. Dr. Ethan Russo, a cannabis researcher, published his work investigating the interaction between cannabinoids and terpenes in the British Journal of Pharmacology-Taming THC: Potential Cannabis Synergy and Phytocannabinoid-Terpenoid Entourage Effects . Botanicals rely on multiple compounds to work harmoniously to produce beneficial effects. For example, the compounds CBD, THC, THCA, myrcene, and humulene all have anti-inflammatory properties. An FSO made from a strain containing these compounds is more favorable as medicine compared to taking one independent compound. The Entourage Effect occurs when cannabinoid, terpenoid, and flavonoid compounds work together to enhance their healing potential.
Rick Simpson Oil has come a long way from where it originated. Rick Simpson found the therapeutic use of medical marijuana after a workplace injury in 1997. In 2003 Simpson noticed irregular, dark moles on his arm with the daunting potential for malignancy. After visiting a dermatologist, the test came back positive for basal cell carcinoma – a form of skin cancer. Simpson read a study on whole plant cannabis use to decrease tumor growth in mice from the Journal of National Cancer Institute and set out to create his own cannabis oil. Using household materials, he made a concentrated cannabis oil, applied it on a bandage, and covered up the cancerous bumps for several days. Within a week, he removed the bandages to find the malignant bumps had disappeared! Since then, Simpson became a true believer of cannabis as medicine and an advocate for legalization to encourage scientific research.
At ACS, we make RSO using Supercritical CO2 producing a cannabis rich product. Transparent lab analytics ensure its safety and potency before being sold to patients. RSO is sold in a syringe style applicator to limit oxidation, prolonging its shelf life, and providing measurements for an accurate dose. Thicker than grade A maple syrup, with a dark amber appearance RSO is a highly potent form of medication. Though RSO has no known toxic dose, cannabis novice patients are advised to start at a low dose to prevent over medicating or discomfort from THC intoxication. It is recommended to start at a low s 2.5mg – 5mg dose of THC, and slowly adjust the dose, overtime, to reach the desired effect. For ingestion, a ½ rice grain size of RSO is a good starting point and can be placed under the tongue or on the gum-line. Due to the strong nature of this full spectrum oil, some patients find medicating with straight RSO sticky or distasteful. With laboratory testing on all product packaging showing exact cannabinoid THC/CBD content, RSO can be infused in a lipid, such as butter or coconut oil and incorporated into most home recipes. By calculating the amount of RSO in each serving, patients can curate their desired dose in a shelf stable form complimentary to their needs and dietary restrictions.
In some cases, RSO derived from a CBD dominant strain may crystallize making it challenging to measure the desired dose. Like honey, purer forms of highly concentrated CBD oil crystallize and fall out of suspension. It is a safe and natural process signaling a high-quality CBD concentrate. A quick fix for this is to carefully warm up the RSO by holding it in warm hands for 5 minutes or by putting the RSO syringe in a Ziplock bag and placing the bag in a mug with warm water for 2 minutes. These methods will carefully warm the RSO, making it easier to measure a dose without activating or losing the healing compounds within the medication. Many patients prefer the synergistic effects of FSOs compared to cannabis distillate because the profile retains its botanical value. RSO may help to alleviate a wide range of symptoms including pain, nausea, decreased appetite, inflammation, cramping or insomnia. As more full spectrum cannabis oils emerge on the medical market and more patients start taking control of their own well-being by choosing what they use to medicate, RSO may be a viable and more favorable option.