Final answer:
THC is the compound in cannabis that creates the intoxicating effects, while CBD does not cause intoxication and has possible medical benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cannabis contains hundreds of chemical substances, but the two most significant ones that impact brain and body responses are THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol). The compound responsible for the intoxicating effects of cannabis is THC. This substance is known for altering mood, perceptions, thinking, and behavior, leading to the 'high' associated with cannabis use. On the other hand, CBD is known for its potential medical benefits without causing intoxication. Both THC and CBD are cannabinoids, but they interact with the brain in distinctly different ways. THC functions as an agonist of the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, enhancing certain neurotransmitters' activities and thus creating psychoactive effects. CBD, while also interacting with the endocannabinoid system, does not have the same psychoactive impact.