Cannabis: origins and the 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 medical 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 part 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 of psychoactive effects
Safe even 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 always specified that, while useful in some clinical contexts, THC has important limitations.

⚠️ Effects of THC

Induces euphoria and mental alteration
Can cause anxiety, paranoia, psychosis
Not recommended for children or psychiatric patients
Can be addictive in predisposed individuals

“We must separate medical use from recreational use. THC is the effect, CBD is the medicine.”
– Mechoulam, IACM, 2019

Cannabis: separation between medical and recreational purpose

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

According to him:

CBD is the true protagonist in the healthcare sector.
THC has a secondary and limited role.
It is fundamental 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

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 conditions, 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	❌ None	⚠️ 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 New York Times, 2017)

“We have studied THC for years, but it is CBD that offers the most therapeutic benefits.”

(ICRS Conference, 2016)

“CBD is safe, well-tolerated, and non-psychoactive. It is the ideal candidate for many clinical conditions.”

(Address at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 2018)

THC: the "high" molecule

“THC causes the high. That is what people look for recreationally. But it is not ideal in a clinical setting, especially with children or psychiatric conditions.”

(Interview with The Scientist, 2015)

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

(Interview with CNN Health, 2018)

“We must separate recreational use from medical use. THC creates euphoria, while CBD acts without intoxicating.”

(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 with a clear principle: when it comes to cognitive health, THC is not the answer.

We at AgriLab, the only Italian company to produce THC-free CBD isolate, are raising our voices for a new vision of medical cannabis: ethical, scientific, and free of side effects.

Want to discover how CBD Isolate can help with various conditions?

👉 Keep following our blog: in the next articles, we will discuss all the conditions that can be supported by CBD isolate.

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