Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a high-concentration cannabis oil that has helped alleviate aches and pains for many medical marijuana patients. The efficacy of RSO lies in its high concentration of potent and medically-beneficial cannabinoids, specifically tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

RSO can be bought at licensed retailers, but it has gained worldwide recognition because people can make it from the comfort of their own home. Patients have reported positive effects against cancer, making RSO one of the most popular cannabis oils out there.

Who is Rick Simpson?

Rick Simpson is the man behind the famed and potent Rick Simpson cannabis oil. As a Canadian marijuana activist, he’s made it his mission to educate medical and recreational users about the therapeutic benefits of cannabis oil.

Simpson was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma skin cancer in 2003, leading him to develop his own brand of cannabis oil after surgery wasn’t enough. Simpson had experienced health benefits from medical marijuana prior to that, after watching a documentary about it. A nasty fall resulted in years of tinnitus, dizziness, and more.

He believed he could cure his cancer with cannabis oil after reading a study from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The study found that THC doses slowed down the growth of cancer cells in mice. He decided to apply cannabis oil to a bandage, leaving it on his cancerous growths for four days. After four days, the cancerous spots were gone.

rick simpson oil

Rick Simpson Oil

Success with his own skin cancer grew his resolve to grow cannabis and make his own cannabis oil. His would go on to help over 5,000 patients treat their medical conditions free of charge. Despite the apparent health benefits of the oil, the Canadian government raided his home more than once, finding over 2,600 plants. Even that didn’t deter his mission.

Potential benefits of Rick Simpson Oil

RSO has won a wide appeal due to its efficacy against cancer. Rick Simpson hemp oil doesn’t exist, however. RSO is made using a cannabis indica cultivar with high levels of THC. RSO is not recommended for smoking. It’s strictly used topically or for ingestion. RSOs can range from 60 to 90% THC, making them very potent and fast-acting. The cancer benefits provided by RSO are just the tip of the iceberg. It has also been known to help users with the following:

  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Arthritis
  • Inflammation
  • Depression
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Asthma
  • Infections
  • Insomnia

How to make Rick Simpson Oil


Rick Simpson Oil has been used by countless people because it’s so easy to make. The cannabis infusion process is similar to the processes used to make cannabutter. To begin, users must start off with a high-quality indica strain with a high concentration of trichomes. The frostier the flower bud, the better. This recipe will make 60 grams of RSO. You can make smaller amounts, depending on your preference.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make Rick Simpson Oil, here’s exactly what you’ll need:

  • 1 pound of cannabis
  • 2 gallons of 99% isopropyl alcohol, butane, ethanol, or other solvents
  • 5-gallon container or bucket
  • A deep bowl
  • Stirring spoon
  • Cheesecloth
  • Rice cooker
  • 60 mL plastic catheter tip syringe
  1. Pour your starting cannabis material into the 5-gallon container and add the solvent on top of the plant to completely cover it.
  2. As you add the solvent, stir and crush the cannabis material for about 3 minutes. During this time, THC will dissolve into the solvent yielding 80% or higher concentration.
  3. After stirring and crushing, drain the solvent into the large bowl over a cheesecloth. The plant material will remain on top of the cheesecloth. Put the cannabis material back into the 5-gallon container and keep adding more solvent. Stir and crush for three minutes again.
  4. Drain the solvent from the cannabis material back into the bowl using the cheesecloth and throw away the rest of the cannabis.
  5. Pour the solvent from the deep bowl into the rice cooker, filling it three-quarters of the way. Turn on the rice cooker.
  6. Rice cookers aren’t necessary to make RSO, but they are extremely helpful for first-time RSO makers. Rice cookers enable you to set it and forget it. Their slow and steady cooking method requires temperatures between 210 and 230 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, decarboxylation of THC occurs, thereby activating its therapeutic benefits.
  7. As the solvent evaporates, add more of the concentrated mixture to your rice cooker until the bowl is empty. Keep in mind, this process can be dangerous. Make sure you are cooking in a well-ventilated area and avoid any flames, stovetops, cigarettes or other high-combustion sources.
  8. After all the solvent has evaporated, collect the oil into the 60 mL syringe. The syringe allows you to easily dose every time. RSO tends to run thick, and running the syringe under some warm water can make it easier to dispense.

How to use RSO


Before starting an RSO regimen, you should consult a physician. With proper medical guidance, RSO has shown to provide a complementary or alternative treatment for many medical conditions. For RSO, it’s recommended to take 60 grams of RSO over a 90-day period. Users have reported a bitter taste that can be alleviated by introducing RSO into foods.

During the first week, users will take three daily doses every eight hours. Users should take a dose during the morning, middle of the day, and at night. Each dose will be about ¼ of a drop, or the size of half a grain of rice.

During weeks two through five, users should double their dose every four days. It can take up to five weeks for users to consume one gram per day. During weeks five through 12, users will take one gram of RSO per day until all 60 grams are consumed. By the end of the process, users will be taking a dose nine times larger than the ¼ of a drop they took at the beginning of the process.

Can you smoke RSO?

In terms of how RSO is used, you might be asking yourself can you dab RSO? Instead of dabbing RSO, the primary methods of consuming it are as follows :

  • Taking it sublingually under your tongue
  • Ingesting it as a capsule
  • Applying it topically

Side effects of RSO


Due to RSO’s high concentration of THC, individuals may feel strong intoxicating effects as well as sleepiness, paranoia, irritability, dizziness, and red eyes. These side effects may taper off when a person’s tolerance starts to grow. After a few weeks, some people feel less of these mild side effects. After the suggested 12 weeks, people may continue to take RSO, but at a drastically reduced dose (about 1 to 2 grams per month).

One of the biggest risks when it comes to RSO is when a customer stops taking their recommended treatment against the advice of their physician. You may think Rick Simpson Oil cures cancer, but the studies don’t fully support this. RSO is still not proven to be completely effective, making it a tempting option for those who don’t do their research. Furthermore, making RSO can be a dangerous process if users don’t follow safety procedures.

Research on RSO


The RSO legacy began with a 1975 study on mice with lung cancer. A 2014 study found that patients that took THC and CBD extracts experienced greater results along with radiation therapy. THC and CBD were found to increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy, although the exact mechanisms of action are still unknown.

Another study, however, found that THC increased the growth of certain lung and brain cancer cells in humans. Recent studies show that cannabis oil is safe to use on cancer patients, but researchers still don’t know how cannabis treats or reduces cancer cells. More research is needed to understand how cannabinoids interact with tumors, but the preliminary findings are promising for many cancer patients.

Although RSO has helped many individuals, patients should temper their expectations and know that cannabis affects everyone differently. Cannabis therapy has been a great tool for treatment-resistant cases including certain cancers. If making RSO isn’t your thing, you can always search “where to buy Rick Simpson Oil” online and find many trusted online sources.

Quick links

  1. Who is Rick Simpson?
  2. Benefits of RSO
  3. How to make RSO
  4. How to consume RSO
  5. Potential side effects
  6. Research on RSO

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