What is Delta 8 RSO?
The Benefits of Delta 8 RSO and more!
Rick Simpson Oil (RSO for short) - is a cannabis extract that retains the most amount of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds that originate from the plant itself. This is a big deal because most cannabinoid extracts are made using distillate or isolate - these are highly potent, but they lack other cannabinoids and terpenes that give users the entourage effect.
With RSO, users suffering ailments ranging from cancer, chrohn's disease + many more, find RSO useful for its healing properties. This is largely thanks to the full profile of cannabinoids, terpenes, fats, waxes, and other compounds not yet known by science, but provide noticeably strong effects. When users medicate with cannabis/hemp flower, they often note that the effects feel "fuller", "longer lasting" and more effective for the relief of whatever symptoms ail them.
This anecdote makes sense because when users ingest products derived from distillate or isolate, they're consuming a distilled version, that's void of most other compounds, this would surely alter the psychoactive and healing effects.
Who is Rick Simpson?
According to calypsorie.com,
" Rick Simpson is best known as a medical marijuana cultivator and activist. Before he became a pioneer in the medical marijuana community, Simpson was an engineer working in Nova Scotia, Canada. It’s here that a work-related injury changed his life forever.
In the late 1990s, Simpson was removing asbestos from a poorly ventilated hospital boiler room when he collapsed from toxic fumes and knocked himself unconscious. Simpson was given immediate medical attention, however, he continued to suffer from dizziness and ringing in his ears (also known as tinnitus) for years following the incident.
Traditional pharmaceuticals and pain prescriptions failed to provide Simpson with the relief he so desperately needed. He started to research alternative forms of treatment and soon began growing and using marijuana. Finally, he was able to manage his symptoms—all from a plant in his garden no less!
Some years later, in 2003, Simpson was diagnosed with a form of skin cancer known as basal cell carcinoma. This led him to further explore marijuana as medicine. Simpson read a study from The Journal of the National Cancer Institute in which Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC (the main psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana) was found to kill cancer cells in mice. Inspired, he extracted oil from his plants and methodically applied it to his skin. As the story goes, the cancerous growths on his arm disappeared in less than a week. From this point on, Simpson was a true believer in the medicinal benefits of marijuana and was determined to share his discovery with the world.
Notably, as a testament to his character and passion, Simpson chose not to patent his oil or his method of extraction. Instead, he encouraged RSO to be accessible to all who needed it."
How is RSO made?
RSO is made by washing cannabis buds with a solvent, such as naptha, isopropyl alcohol, or in some cases Co2. After evaporating and purging the solvent, what's left behind is a sticky black oil - this is the extract.
It's important to note that RSO should NOT be done by just anyone. This process is NOT to be taken lightly, and whenever you're playing with flammable solvents the risks are always great.
A far better option would be to purchase from a trusted online hemp store, like Herbal Society or any other brand that utilizes Third-Party Lab Testing in their products.
Is Delta 8-THC found in RSO?
Trace amounts of D8THC are usually found in hemp/cannabis flowers, but these numbers are not nearly enough to even register - hence why they're found in trace amounts.
Delta 8 distillate is most commonly made by converting CBD into Delta 8-THC through a process called isomerization, and it's done with state-of-the-art lab equipment and expert chemistry knowledge.
An example can be found at cannabistech.com,
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STEP-BY-STEP: CONVERTING CBD INTO DELTA-8
The process of converting CBD into Delta-8 is nothing new. This isomerization process has been around for decades and patented (in one variation) by G. R. Webster, Leonard Sarna, and Raphael Mechoulam. The following step-by-step rundown is based on the patent notes as well as a rundown by ExtraktLab.
A video by ExtrakLab explained that it's possible to convert both THC and CBD into Delta-8 through a chemical reaction. However, CBD is a more straightforward process with less solution cleanup and byproducts at the end. Therefore, the following play-by-play focuses on CBD.
1. Dissolve CBD into Solvent of Choice
Unlike other cannabinoid extractions, notably ethanol-based methods, conversion for Delta-8 requires a non-polar organic solvent. Common solvents include alkanes like heptane.
2. Add Acid of Choice into Solvent Mixture & Stir
Add acid into the solvent solution. Maintain the mixture at a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius while continually stirring for upwards of 18 hours (stirrer hot plate required). Popular solvents include alumina acid-washed, p-toluenesulfonic acid, and hydrochloric acid (all known as Lewis acids).
3. Different Solvent-Acid Combination, Different Results
There are dozens of different combinations possible, which can all convert CBD into Delta-8. Each formula delivers different results. Depending on the blend, the chemical reaction may take anywhere from one to 18 hours.
It could also produce different byproducts and leave a variety of residues requiring cleanup. Webster, Serna, and Raphael's patent highlight hydrochloric acid in ethanol or sulfuric acid in cyclohexane as two options. Other options include p-toluenesulfonic acid and toluene.
4. Washed and Dried
Once the chemical reaction is complete, and the upper phase is separated, it's time to wash and neutralize the solution. The patent suggests washing with an aqueous 5% NaHCO3 (sodium bicarbonate).
5. Testing is Critical
Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), then washed, converted mixture is separated into its many cannabinoid parts. Testing is critical throughout the process to confirm purity. Conversion is never 100 percent. There will always be a variety of byproducts. Extrakt Labs suggests being upfront with the testing laboratory on the process and formula used to ensure they use the most appropriate tests for residuals."
Delta 8-THC RSO as a product
At Herbal Society, we craft Third-Party Lab Tested Hemp Products like Delta 8 RSO.
This is how we make it:
We utilize both D8THC Distillate + RSO extracted from high CBD plants.
- We utilize some MCT oil (only a little), some sunflower lecithin (to make it bioavailable in the body), and 1 to 1 Ratio of D8 and CBD!
- We also add a proprietary terpene blend derived from cannabis and hemp - this ensures a more potent effect.
How can I use Delta 8 RSO?
- Using the syringe it comes in, squeeze out a bit onto a piece of bread, cracker, or a glob into a hot cup of coffee.
- You can use it to bake with it. Simply add it into any cannabutter/oil recipe and voila! Infused RSO oil.
- Make an oil you can use on your skin!
How much does Delta 8 RSO cost?
We've seen prices vary in the cannabis industry, but we at Herbal Society sell it for $30.00 - and it comes in a 3ML syringe. You can use code EDQMPRK5 - to receive %30 OFF!
Can I smoke Delta 8 RSO?
NO! This is because the RSO extract contains lots of fats, chlorophyll, and other forms of plant matter that would taste very bad. Also, in the case of our Delta 8 RSO - the added MCT oil and Lecithin make this unfeasible.
Can I smoke regular RSO?
Yes, if it doesn't contain any added fats like MCT or Lecithin, this is fine but keep in mind the taste will not be good, and smoking it can sometimes cause headaches. It is not recommended either way.
IN CONCLUSION:
RSO is a solid product for those seeking optimal health benefits. Delta 8 RSO is even better because it adds a whole other dimension to the full spectrum world of RSO extracts. In closing this article, we'll list a few diseases that have been anecdotally proven to benefit from the use of RSO.
These include:
- high blood pressure
- infections
- chronic inflammation
- arthritis
- asthma
- drug addiction
- depression
- multiple sclerosis
Of course, it is always wise to consult your doctor if you're thinking of adding RSO into your health regimen. It's important to note, RSO can be highly psychoactive at even the smallest dose. So caution must always be taken.
And please, leave the RSO extraction to the professionals, and just hit up Herbal Society.
Over and out.
- Herbal Society Team