Until very recently, the cannabis plant and its extracts (popularly called ma*****na, hashish, w**d, grass, etc.) In fact, in many places, they are still illegal. But the ‘modern’ scientific era of cannabis research over the last 5 decades, spearheaded by Professor Raphael Mechoulam at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, heralded in a new age with a promising new vision for humankind. The isolatio
n of the psychoactive ingredient of Cannabis Sativa (Δ9-THC), identification of its chemical structure and the discovery of its endogenous counterparts - collectively termed endocannabinoids - along with the isolation and identification of various phytocannabinoids, have ushered in a wealth of pre-clinical and clinical studies, shedding light on the efficacy of the endocannabinoid system in dealing with human health and disease. Endocannabinoids control an array of biological and pathological processes, recognized as key mediators of numerous aspects of human pathophysiology – ranking among the most widespread and versatile signaling molecules ever discovered. The Hebrew University Multidisciplinary Center on Cannabinoid Research is integrating, coordinating and conducting this exciting research on cannabinoids, endocannabinoids and medical Cannabis, focusing on the following areas: cancer, pain, inflammation and stress management; immunity, metabolism, drug delivery and nanotechnology, pharmaceutical chemistry, neuroscience, plant science, and genetics.
