I’ve been using RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) for the better part of a year to treat my cancer. RSO is a cannabis concentrate that is made by cooking down the marijuana plant in a solvent, reducing it to a thick tar-like substance. We were first turned-on to the idea of using RSO as a cancer treatment from listening to a podcast interview on Cannabis Health Radio. The interviewee (a friend of my sister) in the episode had successfully treated her breast cancer using cannabis oil as well as a glioblastoma that had shown up the following year. We have since been fortunate enough to connect with her over zoom and learn more about her story. She’s been somewhat of a cannabis guru to us with her support and guidance over the past year.

The marijuana plant is a complex species made up of hundreds of chemical compounds including terpenes and cannabinoids that give the plant its unique characteristics. Terpenes are the aromatic compounds responsible for the distinct scents and flavors of the plant while cannabinoids, when ingested, interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and pain perception. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are two of the more well known cannabinoids but the marijuana plant has as many as 60 lesser studied cannabinoids as well (CBN, CBG, etc) and many of these are thought to be key in helping our bodies fight cancer.

  • THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the well-documented psychoactive effects when consumed
  • CBD on the other hand has proven to counteract some of these effects all the while providing benefits of its own

The marijuana plant has long been thought to have anti-cancer properties and RSO is touted as one of the premier forms to consume for fighting cancer. The reason behind this is two-fold: 1.) it’s an extremely potent concentrate with high levels of cannabinoids and 2.) It is a full-plant extract containing all of the beneficial compounds contributing to the “entourage effect” where cannabinoids and terpenes work synergistically to produce a wider range of effects than either compound alone.

Along with the direct anti-cancer benefits of the cannabis plant, some of the effects that THC has on the body may prove beneficial specifically to the challenges and discomforts that cancer and its treatments create. Even low doses of THC can be of great help with common ailments:

  • General pain
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Nausea
  • Lack of appetite

On the negative side, THC can also cause an intoxicating effect including dizziness, confusion and short-term memory loss. Thankfully these side effects are greatly reduced as your body quickly builds a tolerance to THC. Still, extreme caution must be used when starting or increasing your THC dosage.

The RSO Regimen

When using RSO as an anti-cancer treatment, the general consensus is that one should consume approximately 1000mg/day for at least 30 days. It’s never been clear to me whether that recommendation is for 1000mg of THC or RSO (RSO is generally 60-70% THC so 1000mg of RSO might equate to 600-700mg of THC). No matter what the exact number is, most folks take the approach of ingesting as much as they can, starting small at just 5-10mg/day and gradually building the dose up until they can tolerate the full amount. I’ve noticed that I can typically double my dose every three or four days, building up to higher levels of THC fairly quickly. That being said, there are some additional tricks to consuming those levels while maintaining some form of normalcy.

The prospect of consuming upwards of a full gram of RSO every day is quite challenging on multiple levels. First and foremost, that amount of RSO will contain a monster dose of THC that would be difficult to handle by the heaviest of marijuana users and secondly with the consistency of molasses and the taste of pine sap, physically eating that much RSO would prove challenging in itself. A few techniques can be employed to help with these obstacles.

To limit the intoxicating effects of the THC, doses are started at a very small level and ever so gradually increased so a tolerance is built up and the overall side effects are greatly mitigated. Another technique is to take most or all of the dose as a suppository. When absorbed by the body in this method the intoxicating effects are reduced by as much as 90%. 

Oral doses can be taken directly to start but as you increase the amount you’ll quickly want to improve upon that process. Mixing the RSO with a carrier oil will create a tincture that can be taken under the tongue with a dropper. You can calculate the exact amount of THC in each drop and easily administer your doses as you need. Mixing the RSO with a carrier oil also helps your body absorb all of the cannabinoids and make full use of the benefits.

Resources we recommend if you’re interested in learning more:

Cannabis Cancer Connection book
https://www.amazon.com/Cannabis-Cancer-Connection-cannabis-cancer/dp/B0CKRY75V8 

Cannabis Health podcast, specifically these episodes: