Professor Raphael Mechoulam – one of the first scientists who taught the world about how the “entourage effect” is triggered by certain cannabinoids – has gone and done it again.

Mechoulam – A.K.A. the “father of cannabis research” – also went down in history as the man who discovered the human body’s endocannabinoid system at the Weizmann Institute in the 1960s.

This time, the 89-year-old Israeli scientist has published a fascinating study on cannabidiolic acid methyl ester (EPM301). Based on his research, Mechoulam attests that this plant-derived compound is more powerful than CBD (cannabidiol) or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

Early findings gleaned through investigating EPM301 demonstrated its potential to ease anxiety and inflammation. Best of all, no side effects were present.

Raphael Mechoulam’s new discovery: What is EPM301?

This patented compound is a synthetic formula derived from a naturally-occurring chemical in cannabis. A stable, acid-based cannabinoid, EPM301 has fueled plenty of interest among cannabis industry participants; e.g. manufacturers, scientists and investors.

EPM301 was developed by Mechoulam as part of a collaborative effort with US-based biotech company EPM. This company specializes in the supply of stable cannabinoid acid molecules with the sole aim of bolstering scientific support and delivering patentable solutions for patients everywhere.

Mechoulam is optimistic that EPM’s work on cannabis acids could result in more potent medicines being developed. The company also intends on releasing multiple substances that could present a clear distinction between the cannabis and pharmaceutical industries.

“EPM developed a method to work with the original substances of cannabis. So, while everybody is discussing THC and CBD, these cannabinoids are actually a secondary substance; they only appear later in the plant,” the professor confirmed to reporters. “Originally there is an acid that appears in the plant, and those acids are these mysterious worlds of compounds that are much more potent than cannabinoids,” he added.

Raphael Mechoulam’s new discovery: Researchers learn to stabilize cannabidiolic acids

While this might not be the first time that researchers have managed to successfully identify cannabidiolic acids, this does mark a breakthrough moment for stabilizing them. It means that now, pharmaceutical companies will have greater opportunity to use stabilized cannabis acids like EPM301 in their drugs.

With Mechoulam’s research and a solid effort on EPM’s part, cannabis acid-containing pharmaceutical products could be rolled out in large quantities. Moreover, after being modified, the acids remain stable and can be tested with ease in laboratory settings.

“We took a cannabidiol acid and we stabilized it by a simple chemical procedure, called esterification; then the compound is stable,” explained EPM CEO Reshef Swisa. “[We] started looking at the activities of this compound…and found that this particular compound causes suppression of anxiety and suppression of nausea.”

Swisa went on to say that the effects may also cause a major difference among patients who are currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer, not to mention patients who endure psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).