RSO vs Full Spectrum CBDa oil: what is now really the difference?
RSO vs Full Spectrum CBDa oil: what is now really the difference?
It is a question we receive almost daily:
“Do you also have RSO?”
Behind that question there is often more than just curiosity. These are people who are searching. For relief. For hope. For something that might just make the difference when conventional options fall short.
And that is exactly why it is important to give an honest and clear answer.
Because yes — RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) has played an important role in the world of cannabis extracts.
But developments have not stood still since then.
In fact, what once began as a revolutionary idea has now been further developed into a much more refined and safer form of plant extraction.
The story behind RSO: powerful, but also crude
RSO became known through Rick Simpson, who used it in his personal battle against skin cancer. His approach spread worldwide and gave hope to thousands of people.
The basis of RSO:
- Extraction with solvents such as alcohol or naphtha
- Heating (decarboxylation) which “activates” the cannabinoids
- Very high THC content (often 50–90%)
- Strong psychoactive effect
For many people this means:
- powerful effects
- but also:
- mental “high”
- fatigue or drowsiness
- difficult to dose
- variable quality
In addition, the traditional way of making it brings risks:
- risk of residual solvents
- loss of valuable plant compounds due to heat
- no standardization or control
RSO is therefore a crude, powerful extract form — but certainly not without disadvantages.
The evolution: from RSO to plant-identical full spectrum extract
Where RSO stops, the development for pioneers like Peter Vermeul has precisely begun.
Based on the basic idea of RSO — utilizing the whole plant — it has been further developed into an extract that:
✔ retains all active compounds
✔ is made without high heat
✔ is safer and more consistent
✔ is more broadly applicable to the body
This has led to what we now know as:
Full spectrum CBDa oil (raw plant extract)
What makes Full Spectrum CBDa oil different?
Instead of aggressive extraction and heating, an ultrasonic extraction method at low temperature is used here.
This means that the plant remains almost intact — exactly as nature intended.
What is preserved?
- Cannabinoids in their acid form (CBDa, CBGa, THCa)
- Terpenes (aroma and signaling compounds)
- Flavonoids (powerful antioxidants)
- Enzymes and other bioactive compounds
This creates what is often called the entourage effect:
a combination of compounds that reinforce each other.
The difference in practice
RSO
- Focused on high THC
- Direct and intense effect
- Often heavy on body and mind
- Less suitable for daily functioning
Full spectrum CBDa oil
- Broad effect without a “high”
- Supports multiple systems at the same time
- Suitable for long-term use
- More balance instead of just power
Why are more and more people choosing CBDa-rich extracts?
Because health is rarely a single button you turn on.
Many people who come to us:
- live with chronic complaints
- experience stress, pain or fatigue
- are looking for something that supports, not overwhelms
And that is exactly where the difference lies.
Where RSO often feels like “all or nothing”, a full spectrum extract offers:
- nuance
- build-up
- and room for the body to react on its own
The emotional side that is often forgotten
Behind every question about RSO is a story.
People who:
- have already come a long way
- doubt between hope and reality
- are sometimes tired of searching
And that is exactly why it is so important to look not only at “strength”, but at quality, safety and composition.
Because ultimately it is not about the strongest oil.
It is about what suits you best.
Our honest answer to the question: “Do you have RSO?”
No, we do not offer RSO.
But not because we do not recognize its basis.
On the contrary —
the vision behind RSO has precisely paved the way for where we stand now.
What we do offer is a further development of that:
👉 Full spectrum CBDa oil based on plant-identical extraction
👉 developed by Peter Vermeul (CBD Spain)
👉 with a focus on quality, safety and the completeness of the plant
What does this mean for you?
If you are looking for:
- support without a psychoactive effect
- a broader mechanism of action
- a product that is consistent and controlled
Then a full spectrum CBDa extract is often a logical next step.
Do you want to understand more deeply how this works?
This blog is only a first look. Read the extensive article by Peter Vermeul, owner and researcher of CBD Spain, with an extensive comparison between RSO and plant extract and substantiation of effects and applications
In this article, Peter really goes into depth.