Hebrew University of Jerusalem to Begin Cannabinoid Research
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem unveiled its plans on April 5 to open the Multidisciplinary Center on Cannabinoid Research. The Multidisciplinary Center is praised as being a one-of-a-kind leader in conducting studies on medical cannabis, cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system that aims to be the world’s leading facility for medical cannabis research.
Some of the world’s greatest medical cannabis researchers, such as Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, have conducted their research through the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and now many others will be leading three entirely new studies. The University’s press release details the three funding projects to be conducted by a handful of talented researchers. First “The Effects of CBD on traumatic brain injury” will be spearheaded by professor Rami Yaka and Professor Oren Ostresetzer, second will be “The anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer activity of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonists” by Dr. Ofra Benny and third is “Effect of a Cannabis extract on acute radicular pain and on analgesics, by Professor Elyad Davidson.
Dr. Joseph (Yossi) Tam, director of the Hebrew University, shared his confidence that these studies will help change the world’s view of cannabis as medicine. “The establishment in Israel of the Multidisciplinary Center on Cannabinoid Research is of great relevance at this time since both academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies worldwide are channeling enormous efforts to basic and clinical research in this field,” he stated. The Multidisciplinary Center on Cannabinoid Research aims to focus on medical conditions and other medical inquiries such as “Cancer; Pain; Inflammation & Stress Management; Immunity; Metabolism; Drug Delivery & Nanotechnology; Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Neuroscience; and Plant Science & Genetics.”
The aforementioned Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, who is renowned for his participation as a lead researcher on medical cannabis, is certain that the progress of these studies will further the future of cannabis across the world. “It has been shown that modulating endocannabinoid activity has therapeutic potential in a large number of human diseases, hence research on cannabinoids may lead to very significant advances, not only in basic science but also in therapeutics,” Mechoulam said, “Our Multidisciplinary Center addresses many aspects in this promising area, such as cancer, head injury, addiction, bone formation, obesity and others.”
