Rick Simpson oil (RSO) is made from the whole cannabis (marijuana) plant and gets attention online from people who claim it treats cancer. But there's no solid evidence that cannabis or any of its chemical compounds can cure cancer.
Online reports say Simpson is a Canadian engineer and cannabis activist who lives in Europe. After his doctor removed basal cell skin cancer in 2003, Simpson put RSO on his bandages. As the reports go, he claimed the oil healed his cancer after a few days.
Even though there's no evidence that cannabis treats cancer, some early research does suggest it may help with cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. Cannabis contains many cannabinoids, chemicals that act on your endocannabinoid system (ECS) which controls your:
- Appetite
- Memory
- Overall immune response
“The whole plant contains somewhere in the order of 160 cannabinoids, hundreds of terpenes, and other compounds of medical interest,” says Jeffrey Hergenrather, MD, a former president and co-founder of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians. “Each [compound has] its own potential therapeutic value.”
What Is Rick Simpson Oil?
Originally, after soaking whole cannabis plants in naphtha (a type of paint thinner), the solvent was boiled off to leave behind a thick oil called RSO. This left behind a concentrated extract with very high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids.
Many types of cannabis have been used for recreational and medical purposes for thousands of years. Today, RSO is a highly concentrated, full-extract cannabis oil (FECO) often made from a type of food-grade alcohol called ethanol.
“Ethanol is far superior, as a trace of alcohol is not harmful,” says Hergenrather. “Other ‘dirty solvents’ such as naphtha are still poisonous.” If you're looking for a safer option compared to naphtha, you can ask for a product made from food-grade ethanol.
What does RSO contain?
It can depend on the type of cannabis plant used, but the oil is mostly made of plant chemicals called cannabinoids which include THC and CBD. These chemicals can include:
- Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the main psychoactive chemical that acts on your brain and mood to give you the "high" feeling
- Cannabidiol (CBD) which acts like “a negative allosteric modulator,” says Hergenrather. This means that CBD might change how THC acts on the brain to cause intoxicating effects.
- Other active compounds, like flavonoids and others, that may provide benefits
Is RSO a brand?
Rick Simpson oil isn’t a brand or a company-made product. It’s a street name for a cannabis oil made using solvents to pull out compounds from the cannabis plant.
“RSO is a name used to describe a process that is not unique to Rick Simpson’s concentrate,” says Hergenrather. There are safer ways to make RSO, which use:
- Food-grade ethanol
- Carbon dioxide extraction. “CO2-extracted cannabis oils are a clear to golden clear oil of high quality and consistency,” says Hergenrather.
On his website, Simpson doesn't sell the oil, but he does explain how to make it. In states that have legalized marijuana – either for personal use or for medical use – professionals can help guide you on appropriate types and uses.
Are there different types of cannabis plants?
There are different types of cannabis plants called indica and sativa. “Biochemically, there is not much difference between one and the other,” says Hergenrather. But some people claim that they feel a difference between the two.
“For thousands of patients, people will tell me that they use them interchangeably with no significant difference,” says Hergenrather. “Others state emphatically that they can only use indica, and another person will say that they can only use sativa.”
Without better controlled clinical trial testing, experts can’t tell if one works better than another to help ease symptoms, says Hergenrather.
Can RSO Treat Cancer?
Cannabis may help control some cancer treatment symptoms. But there’s no proof it can cure cancer, and it can’t replace your cancer treatment.
"I advise patients not to use RSO in place of evidence-based cancer therapy," says Mark Chandy, MD, PhD, a cardiologist-scientist and the Barnett-Ivey heart & stroke chair in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.
What does the research say about cannabis and cancer?
Some research showed that appetite and taste got better after THC was taken for cancer treatment side effects. But weight gain and hunger didn't improve if there was more CBD than THC.
In fact, Hergenrather says that very small amounts of RSO may help ease symptoms from chemotherapy such as:
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Pain
- Vomiting
The THC in cannabis worked better than a placebo to ease nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy treatments. But people also had more dizziness and sleepiness. So problems remain with how to take it with fewer side effects.
How Is RSO Usually Dosed?
Simpson tells people to take 60 grams of THC over 90 days. Experts suggest starting at a much lower dose of 2.5-5 milligrams (mg) of THC if you’ve never used cannabis before.
RSO is commonly sold in a syringe because it’s a thick, sticky oil. This oil is highly concentrated, so carefully measuring the dose is important.
“RSO is one of the most cost-effective forms of cannabinoids in the marketplace,” says Hergenrather.
Start slowly
Always talk with your doctor or oncologist before taking cannabis or RSO. “The rule of thumb is to start low and go slow(ly),” says Hergenrather. Working with your doctor, "increase the daily dose as tolerated to achieve a target dose."
Higher THC doses
For cancer symptom relief, it may be enough to take “only a ‘speck,’ about 1/50th of a gram” of RSO, says Hergenrather. That's about 20 mg of RSO.
Always talk with your doctor before taking cannabis (RSO). They can help you review:
- Possible medication interactions
- Any side effects
- The safest and most effective dose
It's a good idea to bring an updated list of the medications you’re taking, too.
Other Medical Uses of Cannabis
Many states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medical and recreational use. There's some evidence that it can help with:
- Loss of appetite and weight loss from HIV/AIDS
- Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy
- Chronic pain
In fact, the FDA approved Epidiolex (oral CBD) to treat seizures from certain types of epilepsy resistant to treatment. There are also two forms of man-made THC to treat nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy:
- Dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros)
- Nabilone (Cesamet)
Some studies also suggest cannabis may ease:
- Multiple sclerosis symptoms
- Anxiety
- Insomnia and nightmares related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Movement disorders such as Tourette syndrome
Cannabis and RSO are also used in palliative care.
If you have cancer, heart disease, or other medical conditions, be sure to speak up and let your doctor know that you're using cannabis. That way, they can come up with a plan that's best for your health.
"Natural does not always mean safe," says Chandy. "Cannabis may help alleviate symptoms in select patients, but it is not a proven cancer treatment."
Emerging Risks With Higher THC
Cannabis products today, including RSO, have much higher THC levels than they did in the past. The higher THC levels in RSO can mean it's harder to dose safely. Just like marijuana, the THC in RSO may cause:
- Irregular heart rate patterns
- High and low blood pressure
- Heart problems
- Intoxication
- Dizziness
- Impaired decision making
- Anxiety, paranoia, or psychosis
- Balance problems, falls
What about using cannabis long term?
There are new studies coming out that link cannabis use with a higher risk of cancers. "In the long term, THC is now linked to adverse cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, and arrhythmias," says Chandy.
Using cannabis for longer periods may also raise your risk of:
- Vehicle accidents
- Drug interactions and addiction
- Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (vomiting)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Head and neck, lung, and testicular cancers
- Problems with how your unborn baby's nervous system develops
Keep in mind that RSO isn't regulated by the FDA, so the formula is unpredictable. RSO is also not legal in all states, so you'll need to check your local laws to see if cannabis is legal. You can also check out the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) website to see about your state cannabis laws.
Takeaways
Rick Simpson oil (RSO) is a thick oil known for high levels of cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and other active compounds. There's no evidence that RSO or cannabis cures cancer, but it may help ease some cancer treatment symptoms. Check with your doctor before taking cannabis. They can review any medicine interactions and help you decide what's best for your health.
Rick Simpson Oil FAQs
How do you use an RSO syringe?
A syringe is used to push out a small, measured amount of the thick RSO cannabis oil. If the oil is too thick to push out, some people suggest placing the syringe in warm water briefly to soften it.
What does the CBD-to-THC ratio in RSO mean?
RSO is a concentrated cannabis extract. “Cannabis is the general term that includes the psychoactive THC and non-psychoactive CBD cannabinoids,” says Jeffrey Hergenrather, MD, a former president and co-founder of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians. He says the higher amounts of CBD – 20 parts to 1 part THC – can “interfere” or block how THC affects your brain.
How fast does RSO hit you?
It can hit you one to three hours after you swallow a pill or capsule. But it can depend on things such as how fast you digest and what you've eaten with the RSO. Eating heavier meals can slow digestion and slow down how fast RSO hits you.
Why is RSO so expensive?
There are many reasons why RSO is so expensive, but it's often because:
- Quality cannabis plants are needed to make RSO
- Specials tools and equipment are required for the extraction process
- Only a small amount of the thick cannabis oil is recovered
This can add up and contribute to higher prices for RSO.
What is better than RSO?
Full extract cannabis oil (FECO) often uses food-safe ethanol to pull out the cannabinoids. Rick Simpson originally used naphtha (paint thinner), but today most RSO is made using food-grade ethanol.
Are there risks linked to cannabis use?
Cannabis contains THC and may come with risks such as:
- Addiction
- Diseases in your heart and blood vessels
- Interactions with medications
- Lung diseases
- Memory and thinking problems
- Seeing and hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations)
Some research also points out that cannabis might interfere with certain medicines, including cancer immunotherapy. Always talk to your doctor before trying any new supplement or alternative medicine.
