The cannabis industry is full of potent, unique products that work with so many different complications and illnesses. One of these products, Rick Simpson Oil, has been popular for the past few years, gaining traction for its incredible results and accessibility. But, what is Rick Simpson Oil, and why use it? Even more than that, who is Rick Simpson?
Don’t worry: we’re here to set all of that straight. Today, we’re taking a deep dive into what Rick Simpson Oil is, who crafted it, and how it works for the cannabis community. This way, the next time you come across a syringe full of wax, you won’t be nearly as confused.
Who is Rick Simpson?
First thing’s first, who is Rick Simpson?
Rick Simpson was a Canadian engineer who dedicated his life to his job and innovation. That was until 2003, at least. That year, Simpson was diagnosed with skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma. As someone who had previously turned to cannabis to treat medical conditions, Simpson immediately began researching the connection between cancer and cannabinoids.
After reading a few studies pertaining to cannabis’s effect on cancer cells in mice, Simpson decided to do the same. Thus, he extracted cannabis oil from plants, placed the extract directly onto his cancerous lesions, and covered them with bandages. About four days later, Simpson removed the bandages and could not believe what he saw: the growths had significantly subsided.
From that point on, Simpson chose to treat his skin cancer through his homemade cannabis oil — that he later dubbed RSO or “Phoenix Tears.”
So, What is Rick Simpson Oil?
Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a thick, syrupy oil extracted from the marijuana plant. As a cannabis concentrate, RSO contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which produces a sedative effect that provides pain relief, calms the mind, and helps the body heal.
Many people turn to Rick Simpson Oil specifically to assist with cancer treatments, just like Simpson did. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that what happened with Simpson’s cancer was absolutely miraculous and should not be expected in everyday circumstances. But, people do find extreme benefits from the oil.
In addition to helping with cancer’s side effects, researchers believe RSO to be helpful in the treatment of other health issues like multiple sclerosis, arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, depression, asthma, and so many others.
Currently, considerable evidence indicates that RSO can help cancer patients dealing with side effects such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, nausea, and appetite loss. Also, there are ongoing studies to determine how it may benefit other health conditions. Thus, Rick Simpson Oil is lauded as an excellent choice for medical patients hoping to relieve mental and physical issues. More so, it is easy to make; it is discrete, odorless, and can be taken on its own or mixed into food or drinks.
The primary active ingredient in RSO is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), known for its psychoactive properties. However, this oil also contains an array of other cannabinoids that can contribute to its therapeutic effects. These include cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), terpenes, and flavonoids that all work together to create a powerful entourage effect.
In addition to reducing inflammation and providing pain relief, there are many other potential benefits associated with using RSO. Studies have shown that it may be useful in treating glaucoma due to its ability to reduce intraocular pressure within the eye. It can also be beneficial for addressing mental health issues such as depression or anxiety due to its mood-stabilizing effects. Other potential benefits include anti-seizure properties, improved sleep quality and an overall sense of wellbeing due to its calming effects on the mind and body.
Research has also demonstrated that consuming RSO can improve appetite by stimulating hunger receptors in the brain. This could make it an effective treatment for patients suffering from HIV/AIDs or chemotherapy who often lose their appetite during these treatments. Furthermore, research suggests that consuming RSO may have anti-cancer properties as well – some studies suggest it can inhibit tumor growth while others indicate that it can induce cell death in certain types of cancer cells without affecting healthy tissue surrounding them.
Finding and Using RSO
You can find RSO in many medical marijuana dispensaries or make your own at home. It’s important to consider whether possession of marijuana is legal in your state before making it; if it isn’t, you should get a medical marijuana card that allows you to purchase RSO from licensed state dispensaries. Nevertheless, if you wish to use RSO for a medical condition, it’s advisable to seek the advice of a medical professional before beginning a treatment regimen.
Rick Simpson, the creator of RSO, suggests a graduated dosing protocol for those wishing to use the oil to treat medical conditions. The protocol involves ingesting RSO for over two months and steadily increasing the dosage as your tolerance allows.
On the other hand, as RSO contains higher THC levels which is marijuana’s main psychoactive ingredient, it can also cause a wide range of side effects. Such effects include psychological symptoms such as hallucinations, irritability, etc., or physical side effects such as dizziness or low blood pressure. However, these side effects usually only last for a few hours and do not pose any significant health risks.
Getting the Answers Through Elevate Holistics
Right now, we live in a weird time in history. It seems as though cannabis survives in a sort of purgatory state, with people using it to treat so many ailments, but the government still not acknowledging these effects. As we mentioned, it’s important to stress that Rick Simpson Oil cannot (and will not) treat your cancer entirely.
However, with the cannabis plant’s myriad incredible health benefits, there’s a good chance you will find value. Whether it’s cannabis’s anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, or anti-tremor properties, Elevate Holistics wants to help you find what works best. Every peron’s cannabis journey is unique, and we understand that firsthand. That’s why we want to give you all the answers you need to the MMJ questions you have.
