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Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) will kick in within 45 minutes to 1 hour if taken orally, whether from an oral syringe, through an edible, or in a recipe. Sublingual RSO will kick in within 15-20 minutes, while RSO applied topically (on the skin) will work in just 5-10 minutes. RSO suppositories work in 15 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the route of administration.
In this article, we’ll break down the onset time of different types of RSO products and explain how each method works.Â
What is RSO?
Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a highly concentrated cannabis extract containing high levels of THC and the full spectrum of other cannabinoids and terpenes that naturally occur in the cannabis sativa plant.
RSO was developed by Rick Simpson, a Canadian medical cannabis advocate who used the extract to treat his skin cancer.
Because it is a full spectrum extract, RSO offers therapeutic benefits for a variety of use cases and tends to be more beneficial than THC or other isolated cannabinoids.
Research suggests RSO may have benefits for cancer treatment and symptom management, physical discomfort, anxiety, stress, sleep, and many other uses.
Due to its high THC concentration, RSO is primarily used for therapeutic purposes, but some people take it recreationally, too.
How Long Does RSO Take to Kick In?
The time it takes RSO to kick in depends on the delivery method you’re using:
Oral RSO Onset Time
RSO taken orally – whether it be pure RSO from an oral syringe, RSO gummies, or any other similar product – will kick in within 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Oral RSO takes the longest time to begin working because it has to pass through the digestive system before it can reach your bloodstream and begin circulating throughout your body.
Sublingual RSO Onset Time
RSO taken sublingually (under the tongue), such as how you’d take an RSO tincture, kicks in within 15-20 minutes.
The reason for this shorter onset time is that the RSO can be absorbed through the blood vessels in the bottom of your mouth, so it’s passed to your bloodstream directly and able to circulate throughout your body more quickly.
Topical RSO Onset Time
RSO applied topically (directly on the skin) will begin rendering effects in 10-15 minutes.
However, these effects will only be physical and only felt in the area where you applied the RSO. You won’t feel any of the mental effects of RSO, such as euphoria and relaxation, if you use RSO topically.
This is because topical RSO doesn’t reach your bloodstream. Instead, the cannabinoids in RSO interact with the endocannabinoid receptors just beneath the surface of your skin to render relief.
RSO Suppository Onset Time
RSO suppositories will kick in within 30-60 minutes if administered vaginally and 15-30 minutes if administered rectally.
After you insert them into your body, RSO suppositories will melt and deliver RSO into your bloodstream via internal blood vessels.
The difference in onset time between the two administration methods is due to the difference in internal anatomy.
Factors Influencing the Onset Time of RSO
While we can provide general onset time estimates for different types of RSO products, your exact onset time will be influenced by a number of different factors:
- Whether You’ve Eaten: Taking RSO on an empty stomach often leads to quicker effects, while consuming it after a meal, especially one high in fat, may delay the onset but increase the potency and duration of the effects.
- THC Tolerance: If you’re a frequent cannabis user, it may take longer to feel the effects of RSO due to higher tolerance (i.e. the effects have to be closer to their peak for you to notice them).
- RSO Potency & Dosage: Stronger RSO formulas or higher doses may lead to faster or more noticeable effects, especially if you’re new to taking cannabis extracts.
- Individual Biology:Â Your weight, age, and endocannabinoid system sensitivity can also affect how quickly RSO kicks in and how long it lasts.
Side Effects of RSO
Given RSO’s high THC concentration, it may cause side effects after kicking in.
Side effects of RSO may include:
- Anxiety
- Dry Mouth
- Increased Appetite
- Memory Loss
- Red Eyes
- Slowed Reaction Times
- Rapid Heart Rate
To reduce the amount and intensity of side effects you feel, start with a small dose of RSO and wait for the effects of your product to kick in before taking more.
Conclusion: Knowing What to Expect With RSO
Understanding the onset time of RSO will help you gauge whether you need to take more or whether you just need to wait for the effects to kick in.
Ultimately, you should choose an RSO product on the basis of what works best for your specific therapeutic needs; consider what level of potency, what onset time, and what effect duration would be best, then choose based on that.
