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Summary
Raphael Mechoulam, known as the father of cannabinoid science, was a pioneering researcher whose work led to the discovery of both cannabinoids and endocannabinoids and ultimately the endocannabinoid system (ECS), impacting medicine and science worldwide. Despite his immense contributions, including over 87 patents and decades of groundbreaking discoveries, he never received a Nobel Prize—a recognition many, including Nobel Laureates, believed he deserved. His legacy continues to inspire researchers like Mike Robinson, the Founder of Global Cannabinoid Research Center and others globally, his absence leaves a profound void in the field of cannabinoid medicine.
We all owe him a huge salute for all that was done, he was a man who gave his life to the Endocannabinoid System and discovery and refining of what works within it after leading a team that discovered the most important bodily system we have – a finding that still evades most medical professionals.
With the towering figure of Raphael Mechoulam, I always felt like a student in the grand hall of learning, humbled and privileged. Each response from him was a treasured nugget of wisdom from a man who seemed to have no time to spare. When I learned of his passing in March 2023, it was necessary to honor him posthumously – with the Nobel Prize in Medicine. However, it has never happened before. Driven by a strong belief in Mechoulam’s deservingness, I sent over 25 pleas to former Nobel Laureates.
One of the reasons I felt Mechoulam deserved this honor, however it may be gained, was due to his numerous inventions that will be marked in history books forever. The findings he was either part of, led teams on, or did on his own in regard to cannabinoids, endocannabinoids, and cannabinoid-like substances were a big part of our ongoing talks – and also something I believe you’ll all be interested in. At the end of this article I’m including an extensive list.
His legacy is one of unyielding achievement and missed recognition. My inability to gain a nomination of him from the Nobel Laureates, who responded with knowledge of his work and agreement that he deserved the highest honor, demonstrates why we need to advocate for the worthy while they’re still among us. And even though Mechoulam didn’t receive a Nobel Prize, let’s not forget that he was a titan of intellect and character, revered by everyone who knew of his work. The only reason they couldn’t nominate him is you must be alive, otherwise the positive responses from Laureates at UC Berkeley and Yale would have been more than enough to get it done.
Among the countless inventions, creations, investigations, and findings, Raphael Mechoulam and his broad-based international team played a pivotal role in discovering and understanding the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex cell-signaling system identified in the early 1990s.
After Mechoulam successfully identified and synthesized several analogs of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in the 1960s, research on Cannabis and its effects on the body increased. It is important to note that U.S. researchers were the first to discover various cannabinoids. In talks with Professor Mechoulam, he was never fond of the credit going his way.
In the 1980s and 1990s, scientists discovered a new bodily system, later named the endocannabinoid system. Like all teams, they needed a quarterback, which was Professor Raphael Mechoulam’s role.
In the 1980s, specific cellular receptors in the brain that responded to cannabis compounds started the cascade of knowledge we still work on to this date. No one individual discovered the Endocannabinoid System and the brilliant leader Mechoulam was always the first to state that it was the work of multitudes of researchers, universities, and even his research assistant was the one that found Anandamide, he’s the one that named it and discovered what it did.
Now, without that knowledge of the fact that Anandamide is an endogenous cannabinoid or something our body makes, the factual finding that there is a system in our bodies and chemicals it works on that are similar to cannabis cannabinoids and are ‘helped’ by them. The fact that the receptors responded to Cannabis and this ‘endocannabinoid’ as it was named, fascinated the multi-nation team.
In the late 1980s, Scientists collaborating with Mechoulam and working on their own found that these receptors were abundant in the brain, leading to the understanding that they must serve other functions beyond just interacting with Cannabis.
Anandamide, named after the Sanskrit word “Ananda,” was found to be a natural neurotransmitter that attaches to the same receptors in the brain as THC. The work of Professor Mechoulam and so many others has led to thousands of research papers on the Cannabis plant, cannabinoids, and their potential in medicine.
Mechoulam’s team has continued to make significant contributions to our understanding of the endocannabinoid system and its role in health and disease. Their work has led to the development of novel therapeutic approaches, and even future pharmaceuticals, for various conditions and has profoundly impacted cannabinoid science.
Mechoulam, always at the service of others, offered guidance and support whenever he could. He was the epitome of a genuine people’s champion. In honor of this incredible man, I shared a tribute I wrote for him, the Godfather of Cannabis Science, published in Fat Nugs Magazine on 3/14/2023.
I remember a bright August day in Santa Barbara in 2018, where I broke the news to the founder of the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine, Dr. David Bearman: “Raphael Mechoulam just emailed and called us.” A spark of sheer joy and excitement flashed across Dr. Bearman’s face. A newsletter I had crafted for the Academy had attracted the attention of the trailblazer, Mechoulam.
Little did I know that it would create a relationship across the Seas to allow information to flow, both from the famed inventor and creator and from both a patient and young researcher. I had no idea that there was a keen interest in me due to my tragedies in life and how I fought with Cannabis extracts to equalize them and became a researcher.
The significant interaction with Mechoulam at the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine didn’t fully sink in until I established the Global Cannabinoid Research Center later that year. Over the ensuing years, I had the honor of sharing the spotlight with Mechoulam at various International Symposiums of Medicine and both appearing and working with the legend at the World Toxicology Conference (TOXI2021) in November 2021 in Marseilles, France, on the organizational committee.
Motivated by these experiences, I developed a closer bond with Tel Aviv and the legendary Mechoulam himself. Eventually, our professional interactions blossomed into an exciting exchange of thoughts and ideas, offering me insights I never expected and will forever hold dear. At the same time, my outbursts of information about Thermodynamics were a crucial point in continued communications, which I found out after his passing when one of his friends contacted me on Facebook and continues to stay in touch on WhatsApp.
During our discussions, I deeply explored a potential joint venture within the U.S. Cannabis space that revolved around converting CBD into THC analogs – specifically HHC, Delta 8, and Delta 9 from Hemp. Curious about Mechoulam’s take on these developments, I asked his views regarding safety, which opened a door that remains a topic of investigation today in regards to Human Safety studies on the numerous isomers of THC that we see in the marketplace, slowly gaining bans state by state with no official stance from the USDA and the Farm Bill on them.
I had no idea the inquiry would initiate a series of enlightening discussions with references to papers I hadn’t encountered before, as they were not easily accessible without the data he seemed so eager to provide; it was such a humbling example that he gave us all. A humble voice so willing to talk, to answer questions and succinctly in a way that allowed me to understand, as he knew I am not a Scientist or Chemist.
Through our digital correspondence, Mechoulam treated my verbose emails with gracious tolerance, addressing my inquisitive barrage with elegance and patience. His responses were goldmines of cannabinoid knowledge and wisdom shared by the man who first isolated them, specifically THC isomers that to this date have never been put on the market in Israel, but are sold in the US.
Today, as we reflect on the life of a legend who left us on March 9th, 2023, at age 92, we honor his pioneering discoveries and the future he shaped for Cannabis as Medicine. As we remember Mechoulam, we cherish his profound legacy while mourning the loss of a great mind.
Raphael Mechoulam, the first to synthesize various analogs of THC, was a ceaseless innovator, even in his later years. At 88, during CannMed in California in 2019, he revealed another one of his creations – a synthetically stable cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) fit for clinical use.
Despite his numerous accolades at home, he’s remembered by many of us as the most compassionate and dedicated researcher ever to walk this earth. Mechoulam cared deeply about alleviating human suffering and fearlessly ventured into the often-overlooked world of cannabinoid medicine.
To honor him, we must pledge to continue studying and understanding a plant that is often dismissed and marginalized and has suffered setbacks threatening the future of humanity.
Rest in peace, Raphael Mechoulam. His absence is strikingly evident, but the influence to investigate will remain timeless. Let’s take a look at his patents from the 1970’s forward – there’s 87 in total, I believe I got most of them that are after 1970 – he had several before then as well in creation of CBD converted cannabinoids, but stopped doing that after lack of ability to gain data on the inert percentage of extract, purity was an issue, and due to that human trials were never done.
This is a bit of them so get ready, you might want to bookmark this article – save it for future use or use in education.
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What an incredible legacy to leave behind, living into his 90’s Mechoulam never stopped working, and continued to gain patients even after his passing. Professor Raphael Mechoulam discovered and created so many things, he is someone I think about every single day. He once told me working in solitude is never quiet, it’s either your mind our outside influence. “Ye of little words” is what I have always referred to him as, even post humus, as Mechoulam with his succinct statements may be ‘gone’ but his legacy lives on forever. The ECS, that’s what it’s all about!
© Mike Robinson, The Researcher, Founder of Genevieve’s Dream
(Articles may be reprinted with proper credit and link back to the Author and this URL)
Our Last Email Went Unanswered: Goodbye, Mentor Raphael Mechoulam