anandamide

Anandamide, also known as N-arachidonoylethanolamide or AEA, is an endogenous cannabinoid neurotransmitter. The name is taken from the Sanskrit word ananda, which means "bliss, delight", and amide.It is synthesized from N-arachidonoyl phosphatidylethanolamine by multiple pathways.It is degraded primarily by the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme, which converts anandamide into ethanolamine and arachidonic acid. As such, inhibitors of FAAH lead to elevated anandamide levels and are being pursued for therapeutic use.

Anandamide's effects can be either central, in the brain, or peripheral, in other parts of the body. These distinct effects are mediated primarily by CB1 [|cannabinoid receptors] in the central nervous system, and CB2 cannabinoid receptors in the periphery. [|[6]] The latter are mainly involved in functions of the [|immune system]. Cannabinoid receptors were originally discovered as being sensitive to Δ9- [|tetrahydrocannabinol] (Δ9-THC, commonly called THC), which is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid found in [|cannabis]. The discovery of anandamide came from research into CB1 and CB2, as it was inevitable that a naturally occurring (endogenous) chemical would be found to affect these receptors. Moreover, anandamide is thought to be an [|endogenous] [|ligand] for [|vanilloid receptors] (which are involved in the transduction of acute and inflammatory pain signals), activating the receptor in a PKC-dependent (protein kinase C-dependent) manner.[// [|citation needed] //] Anandamide has been shown to impair working memory in rats. [|[7]] Studies are under way to explore what role anandamide plays in human behavior, such as eating and sleep patterns, and pain relief. Anandamide is also important for implantation of the early stage [|embryo] in its [|blastocyst] form into the [|uterus]. Therefore cannabinoids such as Δ9-THC might influence processes during the earliest stages of human pregnancy. [|[8]] Peak plasma anandamide occurs at [|ovulation] and positively correlates with peak [|estradiol] and [|gonadotrophin] levels, suggesting that these may be involved in the regulation of AEA levels. [|[9]] Anandamide is also important in the regulation of feeding behavior, and the neural generation of motivation and pleasure. In addition, anandamide injected directly into the [|forebrain] reward-related brain structure [|nucleus accumbens] enhances the pleasurable responses of rats to a rewarding sucrose taste, and enhances food intake as well.