This is the first article of many. In this ongoing series, High Committee will write about a great many pioneers within the cannabis industry that have fought barriers and helped pave the way for cannabis activists and the world alike. Episode 1: Rick Simpson.
If you know of anyone that deserves some recognition for cannabis activism, feel free to let us know in the comments!
Numerous activists who made their imprint on the history of the cannabis business through their innovation or passion for cannabis legalisation may be found in the pantheon of cannabis icons. However, one person, in particular, has gained notoriety among cannabis users all over the world as result of a creation that changed the way we look at cannabis: RSO. A true industry icon whose name was given to his signature Rick Simpson Oil, Rick Simpson will continue to be remembered for decades to come.
What makes Rick Simpson's medicinal cannabis oil unique, and who is he?
RSO, sometimes referred to as Rick Simpson Oil, was one of the first contemporary cannabis extracts. Since its first introduction in the early 2000s, many medical cannabis patients have come to rely on it because of its potent effects and medicinal properties. Let's first study the man who created RSO, Rick Simpson, to comprehend the medication, its uses, and its advantages.
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Who is Rick Simpson?
Rick Simpson is well known for being an activist and grower of medical weed. Before founding the medicinal cannabis industry, Simpson worked as an engineer in Nova Scotia, Canada. Here is where a workplace accident altered his life irrevocably.
In the late 1990s, Simpson was working to remove asbestos from a hospital boiler room when he was overcome by hazardous vapours and lost consciousness. Despite receiving timely medical care, Simpson had years of dizziness and tinnitus (commonly known as ringing in the ears) after the incident.
Rick Simpson is well known for being an activist and grower of medical cannabis.
Simpson was unable to get the respite he so sorely sought from conventional medications and pain prescriptions. He started looking into alternative treatments, and soon he was cultivating and consuming cannabis. Finally, with help from a plant in his garden no less, he was able to control his symptoms.
A few years later, in 2003, Simpson received a basal cell carcinoma skin cancer diagnosis. He then looked into cannabis's potential as a treatment for this. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, was discovered to destroy cancer cells in mice, according to research that Simpson read from The Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Motivated, he carefully applied oil to his skin after carefully extracting it from his plants. The malignant growths on his arm reportedly vanished in less than a week. Simpson was now a fervent supporter of cannabis's therapeutic uses and vowed to spread the word of his discovery.
Despite being innovative, Rick Simpson's narrative embodies the pioneering spirit that has long been a part of cannabis culture. Rick Simpson is a Canadian who enjoys weed and used to work as an engineer. Cannabis was illegal in Canada when he created his oil, though the country has subsequently legalised its development and sale for recreational purposes.
Rick worked in dangerous settings, and during the course of his career, he developed several illnesses connected to the poisonous substances he came into contact with at work. He had several chronic illnesses after years of carrying on in this way of life, with his skin cancer diagnosis in 2003 being the most serious.
To avoid using conventional pharmaceutical drugs for these illnesses, Simpson sought for a natural type of treatment. As a result, Simpson acquired a liking for cannabis and soon had his crop that he could use for therapeutic purposes.
Notably, Simpson decided not to patent either his oil or his extraction technique as a testimonial to his character and enthusiasm. Instead, he pushed RSO to be reachable to everyone who need it.
How is RSO made and what is RSO cannabis?
Rick Simpson Oil eventually came about as a result of the need to treat the painful outgrowths that appeared on his skin because of cancer. Much intriguing research was being presented at the time addressing the possible effects of cannabis in treating various illnesses. Simpson had come upon a report about experiments using cannabis to treat cancer in rats.
Rick Simpson, an engineer, created his unique extract to cure his skin cancer. Simpson reports that after just a few days, his growths entirely disappeared, leaving him with just a potential miraculous product that he decided to spread the word about to the larger cannabis community.
RSO can be regarded as a full-spectrum extract, however, this is debatable. The term "full-spectrum" refers to full-spectrum cannabis oil (FSCO) or full-extract cannabis oil (FECO), which preserves all of the plant's constituents during extraction, including flavonoids, phenols, fatty acids, terpenes, and cannabinoids.
Full-spectrum extracts may have a greater therapeutic impact on patients, but additional study is needed to confirm this. The "Entourage Impact," or the idea that cannabis chemicals combine to generate a superior effect when consumed together rather than separately, is specifically mentioned by experts. The total is bigger than the sum of its parts, in other words.
Of course, whether or not chemicals can be stabilised and sustained depends on the extraction technique. Full-spectrum extracts may be produced with ethanol, mild heat, and persistence. RSO may be extracted using other types of solvents like alcohol or butane, but at Calypso, we stick to industry standards and employ food-grade ethanol.
Full-spectrum extracts may be produced with ethanol, mild heat, and persistence.
Any cannabis strain may be used to make RSO, however Indica-dominant strains (strains frequently linked with soothing effects) and strains with high THC content are preferred. The colour and consistency of RSO might vary depending on the strain employed. While some cannabis strains have a light amber hue and a gooey consistency, others have a dark, molasses-like substance. However, the final result is a highly strong oil (>60% THC), thus it is advised for patients with diseases that call for a large dose of THC or for those who have a high tolerance to THC.
Simpson also wrote a book detailing his discovery which you can find on Amazon.
How to use RSO oil
It couldn't be simpler to use Rick Simpson Oil. Simply measure out a dose of the medication and apply it to the specific part of the body that is inflamed or uncomfortable. You should feel the effects of the RSO starting to take effect quickly.
RSO can be used in multiple ways, making it a flexible option for individuals with various diseases. RSO, however, is often taken orally or used topically. As a result, Calypso offers patients two options: syringes and capsules.
While syringes can be used to inject oil into meals or drinks, sublingually beneath the tongue, or topically on the skin, capsules provide a more exact dosage (oral). Compared to other ways, oral ingestion provides longer-lasting comfort with a delayed onset.
RSO is frequently consumed orally or used topically.
Remember that RSO can be astringent and even bitter to certain people due to its full-spectrum nature! Thankfully, its flavour may be readily covered up by food or beverages. Yoghurt, avocados, peanut butter, and other healthy "fatty" snacks are excellent choices and can help your body absorb nutrients more quickly. The oil can also be diluted in your morning cup of coffee or tea after being frozen in individual dosages on a piece of parchment paper.
RSO oil dosing
As was already established, Rick Simpson was open about his method of extraction for RSO as well as his therapeutic journey. This prompted him to create and disseminate a regimen based on his results for other people to use. Simpson advises patients to "start gently" and let their bodies become used to THC before adjusting to its effects. On a website connected to Simpson, thorough dosing directions may be found.
Dosing is patient-specific and ought to be determined, among other things, by your health condition(s) and biometrics. To create a treatment strategy that is ideal for you and your requirements, always speak with a qualified medical cannabis doctor.
Rick Simpson Oil has been anecdotally reported by people who have used it to lessen pain and inflammation in afflicted parts of the body, even though more study has to be done on the precise effects of cannabis on treating various medical ailments.
When studies that highlight the advantages of RSO have finally been conducted, we'll let you know!