Raphael Mechoulam recently celebrated his 89th birthday, but the “father of cannabis research” isn’t done trying to uncover the secrets of marijuana.
In 1964, Mechoulam discovered THC, the cannabinoid most famous for its intoxicating effect. The find in turn led to the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS likely plays a role in regulating immune function, but it also influences memory, mood, hormone regulation and more.
Then, in 1980, Mechoulam showed that CBD, a cannabinoid swept up in the latest wellness trend, could treat seizures in epileptic patients. More than 30 years later, U.K.-based GW Pharmaceuticals took notice and developed Epidiolex, the first plant-based cannabis prescription drug, which was approved for sale in the U.S. in 2018.
