Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), an oil made from the whole cannabis (marijuana) plant, gets attention online from people who claim it treats cancer. But there's no solid evidence that cannabis or any of its chemicals 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 that it might help with cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. The chemicals in the cannabis plant are called cannabinoids:
- Cannabidiol or CBD, is the main chemical in CBD oil.
- Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the main psychoactive chemical that acts on your brain and mood to give you the "high" feeling.
- Other active compounds like flavonoids, terpenes, and more that may provide benefits.
Many types of cannabis have been used for recreational and medical purposes for thousands of years. Unlike other cannabis products, Rick Simpson Oil contains high levels of cannabinoids and THC.
Cannabis may help treat symptoms, but 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.
Find out what makes RSO different, how it’s dosed, and if it can help ease cancer symptoms.
What Is Rick Simpson Oil?
RSO is a full-spectrum oil made by soaking whole cannabis plants in a solvent to pull out all the cannabinoids.
After soaking whole cannabis plants in high-proof alcohol or naphtha (a type of paint thinner), the solvent is boiled off to leave behind a thick oil called RSO. That makes RSO potent with very high levels of THC and other cannabinoids.
Is RSO a brand?
RSO is not a branded product. That means there's no one "Rick Simpson Oil" for sale. On his website, Simpson doesn't sell the oil, but he does explain how to make his namesake oil. Because RSO contains high levels of THC, it's illegal to buy it in many places.
In states that have legalized marijuana — either for personal use or for medical use — you can find RSO at cannabis dispensaries.
Can RSO Treat Cancer?
It can't treat cancer, but RSO and other forms of cannabis may help control some cancer treatment side effects. It's still early, but a few studies in people going through cancer treatments showed that cannabis may help ease your:
- Pain
- Nausea and vomiting
What does the research say about cannabis and cancer?
Studies showed that appetite and taste got better after taking THC for cancer treatment side effects. The studies actually showed taking more CBD than THC didn't help with weight gain or increase hunger, too.
Cannabis with THC 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?
RSO comes in a small syringe or applicator. Simpson tells people to take 60 grams of THC over 90 days. But some studies started people (who had never used cannabis before) on 2.5-5 milligrams (mg) of THC before raising the dose.
It's a thick oil with an earthy taste that's sold in a syringe or applicator. To help the oil come out, you can try to warm the syringe up in your hand for about 30 seconds before pushing out the right dose. Because the taste can be unpleasant, you can try mixing RSO into:
- Fatty foods like peanut butter or chocolate
- An empty pill capsule to avoid the taste entirely
Always talk with your doctor or oncologist before taking cannabis or RSO. They’ll go over possible medication interactions and side effects with you. It's a good idea to bring an updated list of the medications you’re taking.
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 higher risk for cancers. "In the long term, THC is now linked to adverse cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, and arrhythmias," says Chandy. He is an expert studying the effects of cannabis on the heart, and using cannabis for longer periods may raise your risk for:
- Vehicle accidents
- Drug interactions
- Problems with how your unborn baby's nervous system develops
- Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (vomiting)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Head and neck, lung, and testicular cancers
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 State Legislatures (NCSL) website to see about your state cannabis laws.
Other Medical Uses of Cannabis
Many states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana. There's some evidence that it can help with:
In fact, the FDA approved Epidiolex (oral CBD) to treat seizures and two forms of man-made THC to treat nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy:
- Dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros)
- Nabilone (Cesamet),
Some studies also suggest cannabis may help:
- Lower chronic pain and multiple sclerosis symptoms
- Anxiety
- Insomnia and nightmares related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Movement disorders such as Tourette syndrome
Cannabis and RSO is 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."
Takeaways
Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a thick, earthy tasting oil known for high levels of cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and other active compounds. Even though there's no evidence that RSO or cannabis cures cancer, cannabinoids may help ease 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 to use an RSO syringe?
Warm the syringe up in your hand or in some warm water for about 30 seconds before pushing out the desired amount. You'll need to do some math to calculate 0.5 mg of THC, which is usually about the size of a grain of rice. Depending on how you take the oil, you'll place the tiny dot of paste into a pill capsule, rub it onto your skin, or mix it into fatty food like peanut butter or chocolate.
How fast does RSO hit you?
It hits you in one to three hours if you swallow a pill capsule. But it can depend on things such as how fast you digest and what you've eaten with the RSO.
Why is RSO so expensive?
The price of RSO can range widely because of the type of cannabis strain or formula. The strain is the type of plant --- Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid --- which targets daytime or nighttime use. The higher price tags often mean higher THC levels or formulas closer to Rick Simpson's original formula.
What is better than RSO?
Full extract cannabis oil (FECO) uses food-safe ethanol to pull out the cannabinoids, whereas in the case of RSO, naptha (paint thinner) is used. The dose may still vary depending on how it's made each time. Dronabinol and nabilone are regulated by the FDA, which means your doctor knows the exact dose of THC in both medicines.
Are there risks linked to cannabis use?
Recent studies suggest that all forms of cannabis may come with risks such as:
- Addiction
- Cardiovascular disease
- 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.
