What does “Agonist” mean?
A substance that binds to a receptor and activates it. A partial agonist activates it incompletely.
Agonist in plain English
A substance that binds to a receptor and activates it. A partial agonist activates it incompletely.
THC is a partial agonist at CB1, which means it activates the receptor but less fully than the body's own signalling molecules would.
The opposite is an antagonist, which binds without activating and blocks other substances from doing so. Understanding the distinction explains why two compounds acting on the same receptor can produce very different effects.
Frequently asked questions
What does agonist mean?
A substance that binds to a receptor and activates it. A partial agonist activates it incompletely.
Sources and further reading
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