By now, almost everybody is aware that cannabis has gained many accolades for its medicinal and therapeutic benefits. These benefits range from treating chronic pain and arthritis to anxiety and insomnia, but a new kind of medicinal cannabis is picking up steam among the alternative medicine and natural health community and it’s something called “phoenix tears.”
A form of highly concentrated cannabis, phoenix tears have been on the radar of many cannabis users looking for a quote on quote “natural” health remedy to treat a range of illnesses.
If you’re unfamiliar with Phoenix Tears, what they can do and the person behind this innovative cannabis product, stay with us and we’ll break it all down.
Phoenix Tears: What is Rick Simpson Oil?
Phoenix tears, also known as Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) after the man who created the substance, is a form of cannabis concentrate or extract that is extremely potent. If you’ve heard of shatter, budders, or waxes, the potency of phoenix tears eclipses that entire category. The potency of phoenix tears can range anywhere from 500mg of THC to 3500mg of THC per tincture and syringe.
For reference, your average edible will contain about 10-25mg of THC with some edibles containing upwards of 250mg on the extreme side.
RSO, originally made using sedative and potent indica strains, is a highly concentrated cannabis extract that’s purported to be able to treat inflammation and chronic pain to more serious illnesses such as cancer.
How to Use RSO
The original form of RSO envisioned by Rick Simpson was created to be a topical that you could apply to your skin. Since then, various other manufacturers have created consumable versions in the forms of tinctures, syringes and capsules.
Depending on the solvent used by the manufacturer and the consistency/viscosity of the final product, RSO can also be dabbed and vaporized but it’s more commonly consumed orally and sublingually. When administered sublingually, the potent and sedative effects of the Phoenix tears are absorbed within minutes.
Since Rick Simpson Oil is such a highly concentrated product (containing up to 3500mg), it’s advised that you start off low and slow. Inexperienced cannabis users and those using Rick Simpson Oil for the first time may find the experience to be debilitating and intense, so it’s best to use it in a controlled environment with a friend nearby to
What can Phoenix Tears do?
Phoenix Tears Canada “activates” cannabis through a process known as decarboxylation. Decarboxylation makes the cannabinoids within the cannabis plant more bioavailable for our bodies, allowing us to feel the effects. While RSO certainly induce a psychoactive high that eclipses the effects of other cannabis concentrates with many anecdotal cases of the substance being effective cases, there is still a lack of research surrounding their efficiency.
From the Rick Simpson website, it’s stated that Phoenix Tears can treat health problems which include
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Depression
- Arthritis
- Inflammation
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Insomnia
- Inflammation
- Depression
However, there has been no research conducted on the specific efficacy of phoenix tears. While medicinal cannabis is effective in treating some of these health problems, RSO has not been cleared specifically to treat these issues.
Who is Rick Simpson?
Named after the man himself, Rick Simpson is the proprietor and original creator of the RSO concentrate. Born in Nova Scotia, Canada, Rick is a medical marijuana enthusiast and activist.
The origin story for the concentrate is that after being diagnosed with cancer (basal cell carcinoma) and failing to garner support from medical professionals and doctors to use cannabis to treat his illness. His experimentation with RSO (originally a topical) eventually led to the curing of his condition.
Today, he is a strong advocate and supporter of his self-created substance and is known for giving the substance away for those in need of it.
Despite his own anecdotal evidence and numerous other claiming that the Rick Simpson’s oil has helped them, the World Health Organization has stated that these claims are circumstantial at best and that more empirical research needs to be done before it can be made available for use.
Phoenix Tears: Final Thoughts
While medical marijuana definitely has real-world applications and benefits, the case surrounding Phoenix Tears is a bit more muddied. The claims that cannabis oil and cannabis oil products potentially being able to treat and cure cancer remain dubious, RSO should definitely not be used in lieu of professional medical advice and treatment.
If you do plan on using RSO, be sure to consult with a doctor beforehand to learn more about what you’re getting into and the full risks and challenges of the treatment.
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