Raphael Mechoulam

Raphael Mechoulam
Born(1930-11-05)5 November 1930[1]
Sofia, Bulgaria
Died9 March 2023(2023-03-09) (aged 92)
Jerusalem, Israel
NationalityIsraeli
CitizenshipIsrael
Known forTotal synthesis of tetrahydrocannabinol, major contributions to the chemistry of cannabinoids and discovery of endocannabinoids
AwardsHarvey Prize (2019)

Israel Prize (2000)
EMET Prize (2012)
Rothschild Prize (2012)
Heinrich Wieland Prize (2004)

NIDA Discovery Award (2011)
Scientific career
FieldsMedicinal Chemistry, Natural Products
InstitutionsWeizmann Institute of Science, Rockefeller University, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Doctoral advisorProf. Franz Sondheimer

Raphael Mechoulam (Hebrew: רפאל משולם, Bulgarian: Рафаел Мешулам; 5 November 1930 – 9 March 2023) was a Bulgarian-born Israeli organic chemist and a professor in the Department of Natural Materials at the School of Pharmacy in the Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Mechoulam served as Rector of the university from 1979-1982. He was elected to the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities in 1994[2][3] and served as its scientific chair from 2007-2013.[4] He was a recipient of the Israel Prize for Chemistry Research in 2000 and the Harvey Prize for 2019-2020.[5]

Known as "the godfather of cannabis research", Mechoulam is best known for his work (together with Y. Gaoni) in the isolation of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the main active principle of cannabis.[1][6][7] He was also successful in the isolation and identification of the endogenous cannabinoids anandamide from the brain and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, or 2-AG, from peripheral organs.[8] His work has led to the discovery of the endocannabinoid system, which has effects on many important aspects of human health.[5][9]

  1. ^ a b Williams, Alex (March 22, 2023). "Raphael Mechoulam, 'Father of Cannabis Research,' Dies at 92". The New York Times.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference AFHU was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference CV was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Chairpersons, The Sciences". The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  5. ^ a b "The Harvey Prize will be awarded this year for discovering the active molecules in the cannabis plant to Prof. Rafael Meshulam". Hebrew University of Jersulaem. 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  6. ^ Maccarrone, M (5 January 2022). "Tribute to Professor Raphael Mechoulam, The Founder of Cannabinoid and Endocannabinoid Research". Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 27 (1): 323. doi:10.3390/molecules27010323. PMC 8746417. PMID 35011553.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Mechoulam was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Pertwee, RG (16 October 2020). "The 90th Birthday of Professor Raphael Mechoulam, a Top Cannabinoid Scientist and Pioneer". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 21 (20): 7653. doi:10.3390/ijms21207653. PMC 7593926. PMID 33081122.
  9. ^ Alger, BE (November 2013). "Getting high on the endocannabinoid system". Cerebrum: The Dana Forum on Brain Science. 2013: 14. PMC 3997295. PMID 24765232.