Cannabis: Origins and Discovery of the Difference Between CBD and THC

By Isabella TortaAugust 01, 2025

agrilab origini della cannabis e la scoperta della differenza tra cbd e thc

Raphael Mechoulam and the discovery that changed the medical use of cannabis

Who was Raphael Mechoulam: the father of medical cannabis?

Raphael Mechoulam (1930–2023), an Israeli chemist, is considered the father of modern cannabis research . His scientific legacy is immense:

In 1963 he was the first to isolate CBD (cannabidiol).
In 1964 he synthesized THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

These two discoveries marked the birth of scientific cannabis , distinguishing between its therapeutic and psychoactive effects.

CBD and THC: The Two Souls of Cannabis

CBD: the healing molecule

CBD is the therapeutic component of cannabis. According to Mechoulam, this molecule has enormous potential in medicine , and research confirms this.

✅ Benefits of CBD

Natural anti-inflammatory
Anxiolytic and calming
Anticonvulsant for epilepsy and spasms
Antipsychotic for mental disorders
Free from psychoactive effects
Safe even in the long term

“CBD is much more interesting than THC from a medical point of view.”
– Raphael Mechoulam, NY Times, 2017

THC: the high molecule

THC is known for its psychoactive and recreational effects. Mechoulam has always specified that, while useful in some clinical settings, THC has significant limitations .

⚠️ Effects of THC

It induces euphoria and mental alteration
May cause anxiety, paranoia, psychosis
Not indicated for children or psychiatric patients
It can cause dependence in predisposed subjects

"We need to separate medical use from recreational use. THC is the effect, CBD is the medicine."
– Mechoulam, IACM, 2019

Cannabis: Separation between medical and recreational purposes

Raphael Mechoulam has always promoted the scientific and therapeutic use of cannabis . He has dedicated his career to distilling what could become medicine .

According to him:

CBD is the real protagonist in the healthcare field.
THC plays a secondary and limited role.
It is essential to separate the scientific approach from the cultural one .

“Cannabis is often associated with THC, but most of its therapeutic properties come from CBD.”
– CNN Health, 2018

The Endocannabinoid System and Phytocannabinoids: What Mechoulam Really Discovered

Mechoulam also discovered the endocannabinoid system (ECS) , a complex biological system that regulates:

The nervous system
The immune system
The inflammatory response
Cellular homeostasis

The ECS is stimulated by phytocannabinoids , such as CBD and THC , and this explains why cannabidiol is effective for numerous pathologies , without causing addiction or mental alterations.

CBD vs. THC: Scientific Evidence

➤ In summary:

Characteristic	CBD	THC
Psychoactive effects	❌ No	✅ Yes
Medical use	✅ High potential	⚠️ Limited
Safety	✅ High tolerability	⚠️ Side effects
Risk of addiction	❌ Nobody	⚠️ Present

What Mechoulam Really Said

CBD: the healing molecule

"Cannabidiol is a compound with great medical potential. It has anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and antipsychotic properties—without causing any high."

(Mechoulam et al., Chemistry & Biodiversity, 2007)

“From a medical standpoint, CBD is much more interesting than THC.”

(Interview with the New York Times, 2017)

“We’ve studied THC for years, but it’s CBD that offers the most therapeutic benefits.”

(ICRS Conference, 2016)

CBD is safe, well-tolerated, and non-psychoactive. It's an ideal candidate for a wide range of medical conditions.

(Speech at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 2018)

THC: the high molecule

“THC gets you high. That's what people seek recreationally. But it's not ideal for clinical use, especially with children or psychiatric conditions.”

(Interview with The Scientist, 2015)

“Cannabis is often associated with THC, but most of its therapeutic properties come from non-psychoactive compounds, such as cannabidiol.”

(Interview with CNN Health, 2018)

"We need to separate recreational use from medical use. THC creates euphoria, while CBD works without intoxication."

(IACM Conference, 2019)

"CBD is the medicine. THC is the effect." – R. Mechoulam

THC-Free CBD Isolate: Agrilab's Revolutionary Cry

The therapeutic revolution has begun. And it starts from a clear principle: when it comes to cognitive health, THC is not the answer.

We at AgriLab , the only Italian company producing THC-free CBD isolate , are raising our voice for a new vision of therapeutic cannabis: ethical, scientific, and without side effects.

Want to find out how CBD Isolate can help with various conditions?

👉 Keep following us on the blog : in the next articles we will talk about all the pathologies that can be supported by CBD isolate.

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