Rick Simpson Oil (RSO): What Is It & How Do You Use It?

High Points

• RSO is a super-potent cannabis oil named after medical marijuana activist Rick Simpson. Simpson himself claimed RSO cured his health conditions, and many patients continue to use RSO to help treat various ailments. While there are anecdotal success stories, scientific research hasn’t confirmed its effectiveness.
  
  
• Unlike distillate or CBD oil, RSO keeps a wide range of plant compounds, making it more of a full-spectrum extract. That said, it can degrade during processing, so it’s not quite the same as live resin or terp sauce.
  
  
• There are several ways to use RSO, like swallowing it in capsules, applying it to the skin, or adding it to food. Some even mix a little into joints or bowls for an extra punch. Just remember that RSO is extremely potent, and consumers should start with a very small dose and titrate up as needed.
  
  

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a unique, potent, and versatile cannabis concentrate that has gained attention for its potential medical benefits. But is there any truth to these claims? 

In this guide, you’ll learn more about: 

• The Story Behind Rick Simpson Oil
• How RSO is Made
• The Potential Benefits of RSO
• RSO Dosing Guidelines
• RSO vs Other Cannabis Products
• Frequently Asked Questions
  
  

The Story Behind Rick Simpson Oil

After Rick Simpson, a Canadian engineer and medical marijuana activist, sustained a head injury in 1997, he found that cannabis was the only thing that worked to manage his residual dizzy spells and tinnitus. Then, when he was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2003, he discovered a 1975 study suggesting that cannabis may have inhibited tumor growth in mice.² This prompted him to create Rick Simpson Oil, and he claims that topical application of the cannabis concentrate cured his cancer. 

He began mass producing and giving away his oil to other patients, while advocating for its potential medicinal benefits. The Canadian police raided his at-home operation in 2009, and Simpson relocated to Croatia to escape prosecution.³  However, he still maintains a website with information on RSO. 

What Are The Potential Benefits of RSO?

The effectiveness of RSO is a topic of ongoing debate and research, but there are numerous anecdotal reports of RSO providing relief from ailments like:¹

• Anxiety and depression
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Epilepsy
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Multiple sclerosis 

However, scientific evidence remains limited.⁴ Studies indicate cannabinoids like THC and CBD may have therapeutic potential, but more rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of the oil.⁵

Research suggests that THC can help relieve symptoms related to cancer treatment, such as nausea and pain. However, there are no definitive human studies proving that cannabis directly treats or cures cancer.

That said, lab studies on animals have shown that THC may impact cancer cells by slowing their growth or even causing cell death. While this research is still in its early stages, it highlights the promising potential of THC in cancer treatment.⁶

Although this isn’t specific to Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), it’s worth noting that RSO is rich in cannabinoids, which some believe could contribute to these effects.

Pain Management

One of the most well-known benefits of RSO—and cannabis in general—is its ability to relieve persistent pain. This is largely because of how THC interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), specifically CB1 receptors. THC is able to bind to CB1 receptors, which are found primarily in the brain and nervous system. By activating these receptors, THC may be able to reduce our sensitivity to pain and even change our perception of pain.⁸

How To Use RSO

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is famous for its high THC content, and it’s one of the strongest cannabis concentrates available. This potency means you’ll want to take extra care with dosing, which is why RSO is typically sold in pre-packaged 1-gram syringes. RSO retains a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes, all of which work together to create the entourage effect—enhancing the therapeutic benefits of each individual compound. Ready to try the potential benefits of RSO? We’ve laid out a guide below.

Rick Simpson suggests using 60 grams of RSO over 90 days to treat internal conditions. However, because RSO is highly potent, it's best to start low and increase gradually. Here’s a simple breakdown of the dosing schedule:³

• Weeks 1-3: Take a tiny dose—about half the size of a dry rice grain (¼ syringe drop) three times daily, once every eight hours (morning, afternoon, and one hour before bed). Stick to this dose for the first three weeks to allow your body to adjust.
  
  
• Weeks 4-6: After three weeks, double your dose every four days. Start with one full grain of rice (½ syringe drop) per dose. Increase to two grains (1 syringe drop) per dose. Then move up to four grains (2 syringe drops) per dose. By the end of this phase, you’ll be consuming 1 gram of RSO per day (8 syringe drops total, spread across three doses).
  
  
• Week 7 and Beyond: Continue taking 1 gram of RSO per day (split into three doses) until you’ve reached 60 grams total.
  
  
• Maintenance: After completing the 90-day protocol, you’ll only need 1-2 grams per month for maintenance. You can take this dose all at once or spread it out over time.
  
  

You can also chat with your budtender or licensed medical marijuana physician for more personalized advice. 

Here’s how Rick Simpson Oil compares to some of our other favorite cannabis products:

• RSO vs distillate: While both of these cannabis formulations contain high levels of THC, distillate differs from RSO because it only contains THC. RSO is closer to a full-spectrum extract, meaning it retains a broader range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant compounds, in addition to THC. Distillate, on the other hand, is an isolated THC extract—it is colorless, odorless, and flavorless, containing little to no other cannabinoids or terpenes.⁹
  
  
• RSO vs CBD oil: RSO contains high THC levels, but it may also have some CBD depending on the strain that was used for extraction. CBD oil is primarily made from hemp or CBD-rich cannabis strains, containing little to no THC. While RSO is often used for its potent psychoactive and therapeutic effects, CBD oil is preferred for non-intoxicating relief from anxiety, inflammation, and pain.¹⁰
  
  
• RSO vs other full-spectrum extracts: Some cannabis enthusiasts debate whether RSO can truly be considered a full-spectrum because the heat used during extraction decarboxylates cannabinoids, converting THCA to THC and CBDA to CBD, and this could alter the full-spectrum profile.The process may also degrade or change certain terpenes, affecting the final product’s flavor, aroma, and potential entourage effects. Other full-spectrum extracts like live resin and terp sauce preserve more of the plant’s original compounds due to their low-temperature extraction methods. However, even these are not guaranteed to contain every natural cannabinoid and terpene in its original form.¹¹
  
  

As with most marijuana products, you’ll need to store RSO in an airtight container somewhere cool, dark, and dry to maintain its potency.¹⁰

Sources:

1. “What Is Rick Simpson Oil,” Leafwell, https://leafwell.com/blog/what-is-rick-simpson-oil-rso

2. “Antineoplastic activity of cannabinoids,” National Library of Medicine, September 1975, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1159836/

3. “What is Rick Simpson Oil? Your complete guide to RSO,” Leafly, June 9, 2022, https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-rick-simpson-oil

4. “Can Rick Simpson Oil help treat cancer?” MedicalNewsToday, May 24, 2023, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325612

5. “Comparison of the efficacy and survival analysis of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for Her-2-positive breast cancer,” National Library of Medicine, September 21, 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6157574/

6. “Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) for Cancer: Does It Work?” WebMD, June 22, 2024, https://www.webmd.com/cancer/rick-simpson-oil-for-cancer-overview

7. “Cannabis and Cannabinoids (PDQ)–Health Professional Version,” National Cancer Institute, February 21, 2025, https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq 

8. “Cannabis and Pain: A Clinical Review,” Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, May 1, 2017, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5549367/ 

9. “RSO vs. Distillate: Understanding the Differences and Choosing the Right Cannabis Extract,” Root Sciences, https://www.rootsciences.com/blog/rso-vs-distillate/ 

10. “The Ultimate Guide to Rick Simpson Oil (RSO),” CannaMD, September 28, 2023, https://www.cannamd.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-rick-simpson-oil-rso/ 

11. “Full spectrum extracts,” Weedmaps, July 13, 2021, https://weedmaps.com/learn/dictionary/full-spectrum-extracts