Phoenix Tears: Definition, Effects, Safety, and Regulation in the EU

Want to buy Phoenix Tears? Before you do, find out what’s behind this name

What are Phoenix Tears?

Phoenix Tears is a colloquial (and now also a marketing) term for highly concentrated cannabis extracts. It is not an official pharmaceutical designation.

Canadian activist Rick Simpson is behind the creation of this extract. On his website, he describes that the original “Phoenix Tears” (also known as RSO) was a cannabis oil with a very high THC content, which he produced himself and distributed for free.

Rick Simpson does not currently sell this oil, but only shares information and procedures.

From the very beginning, it was not a classic, standardized product, but rather a combination of a recipe, a personal story, and an activist idea.

Phoenix Tears: What Is Their Composition and Mechanism of Action?

Cannabis is a chemically complex plant—it contains roughly 540 different compounds and, according to new research, more than 150 cannabinoids 🌿.

The best known of these are THC and CBD, but in today’s Phoenix Tears, you’ll usually find others as well, such as CBG or CBN. Sometimes, semi-synthetic variants are added too.

In terms of effects, there is a significant difference between THC and CBD:

  • THC is the main psychoactive component. It acts through the so-called cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) and can affect perception, mood, or behavior.
  • CBD also affects the endocannabinoid system, but it does not primarily act by directly activating the CB1 and CB2 receptors. For example, regarding the approved epilepsy medication Epidyolex, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) states that the exact mechanism is not fully understood. It is believed that CBD affects, for example, calcium movement within cells and other cellular processes, which may help suppress seizures.

So if you want to know “how Phoenix Tears work,” unfortunately, there is no single simple answer. It always depends on exactly what they contain.

With THC-dominant extracts, you can expect psychoactive effects, changes in perception, as well as some analgesic effects and the ability to relieve nausea. At the same time, there is a higher risk of unwanted psychological effects.

With CBD-dominant extracts, intoxication is significantly lower or nonexistent, but it is still a biologically active substance that can have side effects and interact with other substances in the body.

And with CBG, CBN, or H4CBD, marketing often runs ahead of what scientific studies actually confirm.

How to spot high-quality Phoenix Tears (a CBD product): a man ponders, a bottle of extract with lab results, and the Buds For Buddies logo in the bottom right corner

What do Phoenix Tears treat?

The most accurate answer to the question “What do Phoenix Tears treat?” is actually quite simple: as a general, unregistered extract, it does not officially treat anything.

This is because clinical evidence does not pertain to phoenix tears as such, but rather to specific substances or standardized medications (such as pure CBD in Epidyolex or registered products like nabiximols).

However, there is a lack of high-quality clinical data for “Phoenix Tears” as a brand name or for homemade or commercial blends.

As for cancer, the U.S. National Cancer Institute has long reported that a search of PubMed found no ongoing clinical trials of cannabis for the treatment of cancer in humans.

More recent studies (2024–2026) confirm that 👇:

👉 This means that there is still a significant gap between laboratory or animal results and actual evidence in humans.

What does research say about cannabis, and does it apply to Phoenix Tears as well?

In the table below, you’ll find what clinical studies say about various areas and whether these findings also apply to “Phoenix Tears” products.

Area What the research says Quality of evidence Does this apply to Phoenix Tears?
Cancer (tumor treatment) There is no evidence that cannabis treats cancer in humans. Smaller studies have not yielded clear results. Very weak ❌ No
Cancer (symptoms) Some compounds in cannabis may help with nausea or pain, for example. Moderate (for medications) ⚠️ Only indirectly
Multiple sclerosis (spasms) There is an approved spray (Sativex) that may help with spasticity. Moderate ❌ No (this is a specific medication)
Epilepsy (selected types) Pure CBD (Epidyolex) has been shown to reduce seizures. Relatively strong ❌ No (applies only to the medication)
Chronic pain The effect is rather small, sometimes almost imperceptible. Low to moderate ⚠️ Ambiguous

Specific studies clearly show why there is so much confusion around this 👇:

👉 When a substance has a precise composition and passes rigorous studies, it can subsequently be used in medicine. But “Phoenix Tears,” as a general term for various extracts, does not meet these criteria.

Phoenix Tears: THC vs. CBD from a Safety Perspective

Phoenix Tears are not a single specific product, which is precisely why it is impossible to speak generally about their safety or effects. It always depends on whether they contain mainly THC or CBD.

Products with higher THC content carry more risks. According to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), these may include, for example:

  • dizziness and fatigue
  • changes in perception
  • hallucinations
  • in some cases, mental health issues or addiction

👉 The more THC, the higher the risk of these effects.

While CBD does not produce psychoactive effects and has a milder effect, this certainly does not mean it is completely risk-free.

Agencies such as the FDA and EMA warn, for example, of:

👉 The same applies to CBD: it is an active substance that may have side effects.

Regulation in the EU: When Is It a Medication and When Is It Just a Product

The EU has a fairly clear rule: If a product is intended to treat or affect health, it must be approved as a medicine (EMA). This means that its quality, safety, and efficacy have been proven.

👉 Without this, it is simply a product with no verified therapeutic effects.

With CBD products, the situation is even more complex:

  • they often fall into the “novel food” category
  • safety data is not yet complete
  • recommended safe doses are very low and apply only to pure, controlled products

For example, while various CBD products are commonly sold on the Czech market, their quality can vary significantly.

Inspections have repeatedly shown that some products contain more THC than they should, or contain substances that shouldn’t be in food.

Therefore, when purchasing CBD products, focus on 👇:

  • clearly listed ingredients
  • available lab test results
  • a transparent manufacturer or seller

How to spot high-quality Phoenix Tears (a CBD product): a man pondering, a bottle of extract with lab results, and the Buds For Buddies logo in the bottom right corner

Where to buy high-quality Phoenix Tears?

If you’re wondering “where to buy high-quality Phoenix Tears,” it’s good to start with the facts 👇:

❌ Products with higher THC content are not legally available over the counter in most European countries ❌. They are usually only available by prescription and under a doctor’s supervision.

This means that most products sold online as “Phoenix Tears” are actually CBD products or various cannabis extracts with unclear compositions.

👨‍⚕️ When it comes to medical use, the safest route is through a doctor and a pharmacy.

Registered cannabis-based medications have 👇:

  • a precisely defined composition
  • clear dosing
  • controlled quality and safety

In contrast, with common products from the internet:

  • the actual composition varies
  • the names are inconsistent
  • marketing usually promises more than reality delivers

If someone promises “miraculous” effects or even a cure for cancer, take that as a red flag ❌.

Phoenix Tears price: what you can (and can’t) tell from it

Price alone doesn’t reveal much about quality 👇:

  • Higher concentrations often work out better when calculated based on CBD content
  • Different forms (oil vs. paste) cannot be directly compared

Phoenix Tears: the reality of the effects without the marketing

Phoenix Tears is not a single specific product—it is a general term for various cannabis extracts with different compositions. This is the main reason why it is impossible to simply speak of uniform effects or safety when it comes to them.

Furthermore, the available clinical evidence does not pertain to Phoenix Tears as such, but rather to specific substances or approved medications with precisely defined compositions.

Current clinical studies in humans have not yet demonstrated that cannabis treats the tumor itself. Research focuses primarily on symptom relief, and results are limited so far.

If you come across strong claims about the effects of Phoenix Tears, take them with a grain of salt and always pay close attention to the specific composition, product quality, and real evidence.

FAQ

1. How do you make Phoenix Tears?

Rick Simpson still describes the homemade production of high-THC cannabis extract (RSO) on his website.

However, this is not an officially approved or standardized procedure, but rather an individual guide that may vary in practice.

You can find various guides online on how to make Phoenix Tears at home. Typically, this involves extracting cannabis using solvents to create a highly concentrated oil.

But keep in mind that 👇:

  • This is not a controlled or standardized process
  • the final composition may vary significantly
  • For THC variants, production and possession may be illegal
  • The production process itself can be risky

👉 Therefore, Phoenix Tears cannot be considered something with a clearly defined and safe homemade method.

Moreover, this name is used quite loosely today for various cannabis extracts, so there is no single universal production method that applies in all cases.

2. Are homemade recipes for Phoenix Tears safe?

Generally, no ❌.

The homemade recipes circulating online are neither controlled nor verified.

Not only do you not know what the final composition will be, including the concentration of active ingredients, but there is also a risk of contamination from chemicals used in production.

There is also a risk in the production process itself, as it often involves working with flammable solvents, which can be dangerous.

Overall, homemade recipes for Phoenix Tears cannot be considered safe or reliable methods for obtaining cannabis extract.

👉 And when it comes to THC-containing variants, legal issues may also arise.

3. How are Phoenix Tears used?

There is no single way to use Phoenix Tears; it depends primarily on the composition and form.

Most often, they are taken in small amounts (e.g., a drop or a dose from a syringe), but the exact dosage varies depending on the concentration.

And that is the main problem, because 👇:

  • there is no standard dosage
  • products vary in their active ingredient content
  • the label “Phoenix Tears” doesn’t specify exactly what they contain

👉 How to use Phoenix Tears always depends on the specific product, not on the name “Phoenix Tears.”

4. What is the dosage for Phoenix Tears?

There is no single universal dosage for Phoenix Tears. It mainly depends on the composition (THC vs. CBD), concentration, and specific product.

THC variants can cause strong psychoactive effects and carry a higher risk of side effects. With CBD variants, the effect is usually milder, but it is still an active substance.

👨‍⚕️ For medical use, the dosage is primarily determined for approved products under a doctor’s supervision.

👉 Therefore, the dosage, just like the method of use, is specific to the product and is not related to the name itself.

5. What are Phoenix Tears suppositories?

“Phoenix Tears suppositories” refer to suppositories (a rectal form) that contain hemp extract.

They are used as an alternative method of application instead of drops or oil, but the same applies to them as to other products sold under the name Phoenix Tears. 

In this case as well, this is not an officially approved dosage form, but rather a term used in practice or on the internet.

 

Sources:

 

Author: Patricie Mikolášová

 

 

Photo: AI, Canva

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