Table of Contents
- What is FECO?
- What Are The Differences Between FECO and RSO?
- RSO (Rick Simpson Oil)
- FECO (Full Extract Cannabis Oil)
- What Are The Potential Benefits of FECO?
- How is FECO Used
- What’s Considered High-Quality FECO?
- People Also Ask
The medical marijuana market is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways of making cannabis products more effective in small doses. One popular trend is to combine the therapeutic benefits of THC and CBD with the almost 113 other compounds found in the cannabis plant, including terpenes and flavonoids.
This product is classified as ‘full-spectrum’ or ‘whole-plant’ extracts.
A growing body of claims that when all the cannabinoids are taken together, their cumulative effect becomes more pronounced and effective compared to when taken alone. This is known as the entourage effect.
The most popular formulas in the market are Full Extract Cannabis Oil (FECO) and RSO (Rick Simpson Oil). They are virtually identical except for a few manufacturing differences.
What is FECO?
FECO is an extremely concentrated version of whole-plant extracts. The main objective is to pack in as many cannabinoids from marijuana plants as possible. This makes FECO highly efficacious in tiny doses and allows patients to benefit from the ‘entourage effect’ discussed earlier
FECO is a thick, dark looking oil that is often paired with syringes to squeeze it out in measured quantities. Because of the high concentrations of THC and CBD, FECO is extremely potent even if you consume a pea-sized amount.
Because of the nature of FECO, users can’t consume it via vaporization and smoking. Oral and topical consumption is the way to go.
What Are The Differences Between FECO and RSO?
FECO is often confused with RSO or Rick Simpson Oil. Both oils are potent and share many similarities, but there is a marked difference. FECO is derived from ethanol or grain alcohol while RSO is extracted from isopropyl alcohol.
Other popular methods of extraction use CO2 and hash oil. But the final product loses its aroma and potency, which leads many people to believe that FECO is a superior product.
Some enthusiasts prefer to extract FECO at home and often use petroleum ether or naphtha as a substitute for grain alcohol, but the presence of carcinogens makes both of these extraction methods harmful. It is recommended to avoid going down the DIY path and buying FECO and RSO products from trusted vendors only.
RSO (Rick Simpson Oil)
Rick Simpson has become somewhat of a celebrity within the medical marijuana community. His claim that he used RSO oil to cure skin cancer spread like wildfire and kickstarted renewed interest in medical marijuana. His brainchild, Rick Simpson Oil, is known for being highly potent and full of beneficial cannabinoids.
Below are two popular spin-off products based entirely on the RSO formula.
Phoenix Tears (Miss Envy) – THC
Phoenix Tears is THC-heavy full-spectrum cannabis oil-based off Rick Simpson’s popular cannabis formula. This oil has a very high potency of cannabinoids and is easy to administer with an oral syringe. You can buy a THC-heavy version of this product with 600mg THC per 1g of a syringe or a 1:1 version with equal parts THC and CBD.
Phoenix Tears (Miss Envy) – CBD
If you want to avoid the euphoric effects of THC, choose CBD Phoenix Tears. This high-potency CBD oil stands out for its low price point. As is the case with the Phoenix Tears line-up of products, you will be hard-pressed to find a product of this quality at such potency levels elsewhere. A single 1g syringe offers 300mg of full-spectrum CBD without the THC. Each batch is organic, lab-tested, and locally farmed.
Uses
In most cases, a single syringe of RSO contains about 600 mg of THC, but the final amount depends on the source material used. Traditional RSO is made from Indica plants that are high in THC, but any strains can be used to make RSO. The quality of the product ultimately is based on the type of plant strain used and its moisture present. RSO is very potent in THC and should be taken in small doses for begins.
Effects
The main claim behind RSO is that it treats cancer, however, much of the research his still underway. The exact science behind how THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system isn’t fully understood, but there is enough anecdotal evidence and research from clinical studies that affirm the effectiveness of RSO.
Risks
RSO users have complained of a number of side effects including:
- low blood pressure
- red eyes
- disorientation
- impaired memory
- sleeping problems
FECO (Full Extract Cannabis Oil)
FECO has a very distinct aromatic smell attributed to the higher concentration of terpenes. Patients can benefit from concentrated amounts of cannabinoids, particularly THC and CBD. FECO can and is often utilized by patients who need relief from pain and inflammation, in addition to HIV/AIDS, cancer, and more.
It is believed that FECO is the most potent cannabis product in the market, thanks to the high concentrations of crucial cannabinoids like CBD and THC. It takes advantage of the entourage effect by combining THC and CBD with terpenes.
Uses
There is a large inter-individual variability on how users respond to THC and cannabinoid consumption, but most people feel almost the same set of symptoms at different dosages. The efficacy of dosage depends on various underlying factors like tolerance level and pre-existing conditions. It is strongly advised to start slow and then work your way up to higher quantities
Effects
As discussed earlier, FECO can be used for both recreational and medical uses. It contains high amounts of THC as well as CBD, and a range of other compounds that together create the entourage effect. THC can be used to help with conditions such as pain, glaucoma, insomnia, low appetite, anxiety, and nausea. THC triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, giving the patient the feeling of a ‘high.’ Dopamine also heightens sensory perception.
If you are unsure about using FECO to treat your medical condition, get in touch with your physician for advice pertaining to this issue.
Risks
Because there are very high quantities of THC in FECO, consuming it can cause a number of powerful euphoric symptoms that are fairly mild and non-threatening. Other side effects include:
- Hallucination
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Disorientation
- Irritability
- Impaired memory
- Slow reaction times
- Difficulty with digestion
- Sleeping problems and dizziness
With all that said, FECO is generally safe for consumption, but it may not be suitable for everyone given the fact that it causes euphoric effects. Many people use it to treat various illnesses, so all the pros and cons should be considered carefully.
Other Full Profile Cannabis Oils
Other cannabis oils that maintain the terpene profile and cannabinoids exist, like Cherry or Honey oil. These oils are extracted using butane or CO2 extraction but have similar properties to FECO oil. They provide similar benefits but can be consumed in different ways than alcohol-based oils.
You can also find honey oil in Canada quite a bit more frequently, and the flavour for smoking is incredible.
What Are The Potential Benefits of FECO?
Full extract cannabis oil gives a heavy dose of cannabinoids to help people cope with their illnesses and even make it possible to break away from opioid addiction.
Due to the high levels of THC content found and a host of other cannabinoids, FECO can act as a powerful treatment option for a variety of chronic illnesses. FECO is safe to take every day, and any symptoms are mild and will be discontinued after the person stops using the product.
Some of the potential benefits of FECO include the following:
Cancers and Tumours: A growing body of research supports the theory that the compounds in FECO could play a pivotal role in destroying cancer cells, slow down their rate of growth, and in some cases, completely stop the spread of cancer cells entirely. It is not touted as a cure for cancer and a users response may vary, in some cases, it may not initiate any discernable positive response at all.
However, many patients use oil alongside traditional cancer therapies like radiation and chemotherapy because it helps with the pain, reduces nausea and stress, and increases their appetite. The imbalances in the body as a result of cancer are restored with the help of FECO oils, which can play an important role in boosting the body’s natural healing properties.
Mitigate Opioid Addiction: FECO contains a large number of potent cannabinoids like CBD, THC, and CBDa, all of which directly affect the neurotransmitters throughout the body. This helps manage pain, making it a great alternative to opiates and for anyone looking to break the chemical and physical dependency.
Sleep Disorders: Sleep disorders affect well over 40% of the entire Canadian population which poses a serious health risk for everyone. But moderate doses of full extract cannabis oil can alleviate serious sleep disorders that affect sleep. FECO helps patients fall asleep, experience quality REM sleep, and sleep for longer, this allows them to wake up feeling well-rested.
Note: Heavy consumption of medical marijuana can do the exact opposite of treating sleeping disorders and could exacerbate a patient’s symptoms.
Neurological Disorders: Very few clinical trials have explored the effect of cannabinoids or marijuana on neurological disorders. Most studies are too small to be conclusive and the results aren’t always promising. Either way, FECO is considered safe enough to be distributed to young patients who suffer from epilepsy. THC and cannabinoids can treat schizophrenia, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease as well.
Anxiety and Depression: Full extract cannabis oil is known for being highly effective at treating various mental disorders including depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and even PTSD.
How is FECO Used
The only way to consume FECO is through oral and topical means, which makes it distinct from other cannabis extracts like hash oils, ‘shatter’, and waxes which can be vaporized and inhaled. Because FECO products are very strong and contain well over 40% of THC, it is recommended to start in slow quantities (start with less than the size of a rice grain) and then increase dosages depending on the outcome and your familiarity with the product.
FECO oil is often filled in small capsules and then ingested orally. The second most popular method is to use a syringe to consume FECO oil orally. Another alternative is to dab FECO oils in edibles and foods. Both methods allow you to ingest FECO in measured quantities and minimize the chances of accidentally consuming too much.
It is simply not advised to try to consume FECO through smoking or vaping.
What’s Considered High-Quality FECO?
It’s a well-worn adage in business that you get what you pay for. And this is just as true in the case of medical marijuana. Most companies (not all) that sell their products at really low price points often use unsafe extraction processes. Their methods might involve toxic solvents that are harmful to human health.
Reputable manufacturers make use of pharmaceutical-grade grain alcohol for processing cannabis. This is widely considered by experts as the safest way to extract CBD for human consumption because it yields the highest amount of cannabinoids when compared to other extraction processes.
The source of the cannabinoids is also important. Cannabis plants easily absorb everything present in the ground where it was cultivated and farmed. Cannabis plants that are cultivated in rich soil will give high-quality yields, and that applies to the cannabinoids extracted.
Similarly, if the cannabis plant is grown in a land that has heavy metals like mercury and lead, it should be avoided and any CBD extracted from it will be unsafe for human consumption.
With so many dispensaries and online stores out there, it can be a little daunting for first-time buyers to find quality FECO products. Indeed, it is not unheard of for manufacturers to use dangerous solvents in the extraction process like naphtha, butane, and other petroleum derivatives.
However, there are certain indicators that help you decide if the product is safe for consumption in efficacious doses.
To verify the authenticity and safety of their products, many legitimate THC oil brands provide third party results with customers. These results ensure that their products have high quantities of cannabinoids and are free of impurities.
To sum up:
- Always look for lab reports
- Find out where the plant extracts were sourced from
- Check out online reviews
People Also Ask
What is FECO Oil?
FECO is a full-spectrum plant extract of various cannabinoids and terpenes. It contains high quantities of THC, CBD, CBDa, and more. FECO oil is made with ethanol or grain alcohol.
Does FECO Oil Get You High?
FECO is heavily laced in THC and will get you high. Brain imaging shows increased blood flow to the prefrontal cortex region of the brain when THC.
How Do You Take FECO Oil?
Most patients use an oil syringe to measure precise amounts of cannabis oil.
How Strong is FECO?
FECO is one of the most potent products on the market, having high concentrations of both THC and CBD. THC accounts for 40% by weight, making FECO very strong in small doses.
