Delta-9 THC
The primary psychoactive component of cannabis, it’s responsible for that feel-good high. Delta-9-THC, or Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol, is also the most studied cannabinoid.
(Maybe you studied it a bit in college? Double major-ly?).
Binding to CB1 receptors in your brain, it has been reported to have effects like:
- Euphoria
- Altered sensory perception
- Laughter
- Appetite stimulation (the munchies)
- Pain relief​​ (especially when you remember which drawer you put it away in after the last time)
In medicine, delta-9-THC was clinically approved in its synthetic form by the FDA in 1985 (trade name Dronabinol) to ease chemotherapy-related nausea and AIDS-related appetite loss.
What about its bioavailability?
- When smoked or vaporized, onset is reported to be within minutes and lasts 1–3 (glorious) hours
- When consumed as an edible, the onset is reported to be slower—20–90 (agonizing) minutes, but effects can (once again, gloriously) last longer
- When drunk in a beverage format, the onset is reported to be ranging from 5-30 minutes, with effects lasting 2 to 2-½ hours (well, hi there, sweet spot)
Legally, the concentration of delta-9-THC in the plant is what differentiates marijuana from hemp—hemp must have <0.3% delta-9 by weight (to get into the cool parties, anyway)​. It’s this compound that drug tests typically screen for.
So, in short, delta-9-THC is the iconic cannabinoid that gives cannabis its literally dope reputation.

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