Ancient viruses gave Cannabis high-inducing power

A new genomic map shows that genes produced THC and CBD may be derived from viral DNA.

There are many reasons why we humans like to smoke marijuana, but they usually boil down to one of two things: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a psychoactive ingredient that makes you as high as a bird; and CBD (cannabidiol), predominantly sought after for its medicinal effects in treating conditions like epilepsy, and potentially other health benefits. As it turns out, you can thank millions of years ago viruses for gifting cannabis the ability to produce these two chemicals.

In the latest issue of Genomic Research, a group of North American scientists published the first complete map of the cannabis genome. Numerous interesting insights gathered from the graphs have revealed that genes encoding THC and CBD have evolved due to DNA fragments introduced by viruses that infect plants and successfully colonize their genomes millions of years ago.

Other new insights from the map include the discovery of genes responsible for CBC (one of the cannabinoids found in cannabis - marijuana), the differentiation of cannabis and cannabis (the former mainly produces CBD, while the latter is full of THC) and offers the possibility of making different cannabis More powerful and powerful clues than other marijuana.