Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive component of the Cannabis plant. ''Delta''-9-[[tetrahydrocannabinol]] (Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC, THC) and ''delta''-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ<sup>8</sup>-THC), mimic the action of [[anandamide]], a [[neurotransmitter]] produced naturally in the body. These two THC'sTHCs produce the effects associated with [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] by binding to the CB<sub>1</sub> cannabinoid receptors in the brain. THC appears to ease moderate pain ([[analgesic]]) and to be [[neuroprotective]]. Studies show THC reduces neuroinflammation and stimulates [[neurogenesis]].<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1038/sj.bjp.0707446 |title=Alzheimer's disease; taking the edge off with cannabinoids? |year=2009 |last1=Campbell |first1=V A |last2=Gowran |first2=A |journal=British Journal of Pharmacology |volume=152 |issue=5 |pages=655–62 |pmid=17828287 |pmc=2190031}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1021/mp060066m |title=A Molecular Link between the Active Component of Marijuana and Alzheimer's Disease Pathology |year=2006 |last1=Eubanks |first1=Lisa M. |last2=Rogers |first2=Claude J. |last3=Beuscher Ae |last4=Koob |first4=George F. |last5=Olson |first5=Arthur J. |last6=Dickerson |first6=Tobin J. |last7=Janda |first7=Kim D. |journal=Molecular Pharmaceutics |volume=3 |issue=6 |pages=773–7 |pmid=17140265 |first3=4th |pmc=2562334}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1172/JCI25509 |title=Cannabinoids promote embryonic and adult hippocampus neurogenesis and produce anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects |year=2005 |last1=Jiang |first1=W. |journal=Journal of Clinical Investigation |volume=115 |issue=11 |pages=3104–16 |pmid=16224541 |last2=Zhang |first2=Y |last3=Xiao |first3=L |last4=Van Cleemput |first4=J |last5=Ji |first5=SP |last6=Bai |first6=G |last7=Zhang |first7=X |pmc=1253627}}</ref> THC has approximately equal affinity for the CB<sub>1</sub> and CB<sub>2</sub> receptors.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.2174/1381612003399347 |title=The Search for Selective Ligands for the CB2 Receptor |year=2000 |last1=Huffman |first1=J. |journal=Current Pharmaceutical Design |volume=6 |issue=13 |pages=1323–37 |pmid=10903395}}</ref>
