Which cannabis compound is responsible for generating the intoxicating high associated with marijuana?
Answer
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is identified as the principal psychoactive component found within cannabis. Its ability to cause the sensation of intoxication, commonly known as the 'high,' stems directly from its potent affinity for the CB1 receptors situated throughout the brain and central nervous system. By binding strongly to these specific sites, THC significantly alters normal neurological communication, leading to changes in perception, mood, and cognitive function. In contrast, cannabidiol (CBD) is explicitly noted as being non-intoxicating because it does not share this strong binding characteristic with the CB1 receptor.
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