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Anandamide was first described (and named) in 1992 by Raphael Mechoulam and his lab members W. A. Devane and Lumír Hanuš.

Anandamide's effects can occur in either the central or peripheral nervous system. These distinct effects are mediated primarily by CB₁ cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system, and CB₂ cannabinoid receptors in the periphery. 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.

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. 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 anandamide levels. Subsequently, anandamide has been proposed as a biomarker of infertility, but so far lacks any predictive values in order to be used clinically. Anandamide was found in 2007 to inhibit the proliferation of certain human breast cancer cell lines in vitro. Anandamide is the precursor of a class of physiologically active substances, the prostamides.

The acute beneficial effects of exercise (termed as runner's high) seem to be mediated by anandamide in mice. Anandamide is the precursor of a class of physiologically active substances, the prostamides.

Anandamide is found in chocolate together with two substances that might mimic the effects of anandamide, N-oleoylethanolamine and N-linoleoylethanolamine.

Additionally, anandamide and other endocannabinoids are found in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly), although no CB receptors have been found in any insects.

Despite the growing "Cannabis Craze", the role of the endocannabinoid system on behavior and mood is still being researched. Both the CB1 and CB2 receptors (the bonding site of anandamide) seem to play a role in the identification of positive and negative interpretation of environment and setting. ^[1] In animal models, anandamide plays a role in the interpretation of stimulus; specifically, optimism and pessimism in the presence of an ambiguous cue. ^[2] Anandamide has been shown to impair working memory in rats, ^[3] while THC (the compound in cannabis that binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors) also shows a deficit in working memory. ^[4] Studies are under way to explore what role anandamide plays in human behavior, such as eating, sleep patterns, and pain relief.

This binding relationship of anandamide and the CB1/CB2 seems to play a role in neurotransmission of dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate. ^[5] The use of medicinal cannabis in treatment of psychiatric disorders shows very little benefit: symptoms of depression, ADHD, PTSD, anxiety, and other psychotic disorders do not show enough significant improvement to prove its use utility in treating mental illness. ^[6]

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. ^[7] Increasing Anandamide seems to increase the intrinsic value of food, not necessarily by stimulation of appetite or hunger. ^[8]

Although more scientific information is needed, by comparing the effect of THC/Anandamide, it can be inferred that anandamide plays a role in hunger, sleep, pain modulation, working memory, identification of novelty, and interpretation of environment.

Anandamide (ANA), also known as N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), is a fatty acid neurotransmitter. Anandamide was the first endocannabinoid to be discovered: it participates in the body's endocannabinoid system by binding to cannabinoid receptors, the same receptors that the psychoactive compound THC in cannabis acts on. Anandamide is found in nearly all tissues in a wide range of animals. Anandamide has also been found in plants, including small amounts in chocolate. The name 'anandamide' is taken from the Sanskrit word ananda, which means "joy, bliss, delight", and amide

Anandamide was first described (and named) in 1992 by Raphael Mechoulam and his lab members W. A. Devane and Lumír Hanuš.

Anandamide's effects can occur in either the central or peripheral nervous system. These distinct effects are mediated primarily by CB₁ cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system, and CB₂ cannabinoid receptors in the periphery. 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.

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. 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 anandamide levels. Subsequently, anandamide has been proposed as a biomarker of infertility, but so far lacks any predictive values in order to be used clinically.

Moreover, the acute beneficial effects of exercise (termed as runner's high) seem to be mediated by anandamide in mice. Anandamide is the precursor of a class of physiologically active substances, the prostamides. Anandamide was found in 2007 to inhibit the proliferation of certain human breast cancer cell lines in vitro.

Anandamide has been shown to impair working memory in rats. Studies are under way to explore what role anandamide plays in human behavior, such as eating and sleep patterns, and pain relief. Anandamide also plays a role in the interpretation of stimulus; specifically optimism and pessimism in the presence of an ambiguous cue. ^[9]

Anandamide plays a role in the regulation of feeding behavior, and the neural generation of motivation and pleasure. 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. Increasing Anandamide seems to increase the intrinsic value of food, not necessarily stimulating appetite or hunger. ^[10]