Raphaël Mechoulam, the father of cannabis research, has died
If there's one person who has been, and always will be, the talk of the cannabis world, it's Raphaël Mechoulam. The man regarded as the pioneer of cannabis research has sadly passed away at the age of 92. A look back at an exceptional career, marked by countless discoveries and advances in the field of cannabis.
Raphaël Mechoulam has passed away
Mechoulam's story
Mechoulam's 5 discoveries
A fervent advocate of medical cannabis
Many tributes
Raphaël Mechoulam has passed away
It's news that's shaken the world of cannabis and CBD. Indeed, one of the most eminent scientists, if not the greatest, has sadly passed away. Raphaël Mechoulam passed away at the age of 92.
A former chemist and Professor Emeritus of Medicinal Chemistry at theHebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel, he achieved notoriety in the 1960s by being the first to identify the active compound in cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Perceived by many of his peers as one of the pioneers of research, his work has led to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of THC and other cannabinoids, as well as their potential medical applications.
Naturally, his death moved many people. "This is a very sad day for me, for the scientific community and for the cannabis community. Professor Raphael Mechoulam, whom we called Raphi, was one of the greatest scientists I have ever met, my teacher and mentor in many ways. I sincerely believe he deserved a Nobel Prize," said David Meiri, Associate Professor at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and Mechoulam's colleague.
The story of Mechoulam
Mechoulam was born in Sofia in 1930. His family moved to Israel, where he began studying chemistry. His studies soon led him to discover many things that today are considered "common".
Mechoulam's 5 discoveries
Although he discovered tetrahydrocannabinol, Mechoulam was responsible for many other advances in cannabidiol and cannabis in general.
THC
It's his most famous discovery. In 1964, Raphaël Mechoulam isolated THC, the active molecule in the cannabis plant. This was a major breakthrough for the scientific community, enabling it to move ahead with other types of cannabis-related research.
Endocannabinoids
In 1992, Raphaël Mechoulam discovered endocannabinoids, in particular anandamide. This discovery had an impact not only on the world of cannabis, but also on biology, chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacy. In short, the whole world of science has benefited.
The entourage effect
Few know it, but Raphaël Mechoulam also discovered the entourage effect, in collaboration with Dr. Shimon Ben-Shabat. This was back in 1999. As a reminder, the entourage effect is the way in which cannabinoids act together to support and reinforce each other's effects. The entourage effect is perceptible with full spectrum cannabinoid products.
THE EPM301
It's his latest find, and what a find it is. In 2020, Mechoulam discovered the cannabinoid EPM301. This cannabinoid is even more potent than THC and CBD. It could be useful against nausea, anxiety, cancer and psoriasis. Further studies are required, however.
CBD and epilepsy
In 1980, Raphaël Mechoulam published his study on how CBD affects epilepsy. In the course of his research, the chemist discovered that cannabidiol was more effective than a placebo.
Expecting the pharmaceutical industry to seize on his discovery, he was soon disappointed, as it went almost unnoticed by scientists.
A fervent advocate of medical cannabis
Mechoulam's research has been put to good use in the scientific world and in the therapeutic use of cannabis.
In his eyes, the plant would be particularly useful against epilepsy. But things are moving too slowly for his liking. "Should we wait 30 years? No," he said at the 2019 CannMed conference in California.
"We could have helped thousands of children, and we didn't". No doubt his legacy will live on through new research and, above all, through the advancement and evolution of mores and habits regarding the consumption of CBD and medical cannabis.
Many tributes
The news of his death was swiftly followed by many tributes. From researchers to politicians and doctors, everyone associated with the cannabis industry had a thought for the researcher. And it's only natural that the teams at Le Grossiste Du CBD should join in this wave of support and tribute.
Interviewed on Libération, addictologist Bertrand Lebeau Leibovici recalled the crucial role played by Mechoulam and his teams. "Since 1964, he and his team have dominated cannabis research worldwide. He played a crucial role in our still partial understanding of the endocannabinoid system. Cannabis was widely used as a medicine in the 19th century, but was ultimately abandoned long before it was banned by international conventions or in the United States, because, among other difficulties, it was impossible to isolate its active principle. And from this point of view, by isolating it, Mechoulam played a crucial role in the therapeutic use of cannabis", explains the doctor.
For Asher Cohen, President of Hebrew University, where Mechoulam worked, this loss is a tragedy for the world of research. "Most of the human and scientific knowledge about cannabis has been accumulated thanks to Professor Mechoulam. He paved the way for groundbreaking studies and initiated scientific cooperation between researchers around the world. Mechoulam was a pioneer with a lively and charismatic spirit". A host of tributes that demonstrate that the scientist was, still is and will remain the leading figure in the world of cannabis research.
