Glossary
Anandamide (AEA)
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A primary endogenous cannabinoid produced by the body — modulates pain, mood, appetite, and the "bliss" response.
Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA) is one of the two primary endogenous cannabinoids — molecules the human body synthesises on demand to bind cannabinoid receptors. The name derives from the Sanskrit *ananda* meaning "bliss", reflecting its role in mood regulation.
AEA is synthesised post-synaptically from membrane phospholipid precursors (NAPE-PLD pathway) when neurons need to signal retrogradely. It binds CB1 and CB2 receptors and also TRPV1 channels at higher concentrations. AEA is rapidly broken down by **fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)** — a major reason endocannabinoid signalling is short-lived and locally constrained.
Clinical relevance: CBD weakly inhibits FAAH, which raises endogenous AEA tone. This is one of several proposed mechanisms for CBD's anxiolytic and analgesic effects independent of direct cannabinoid-receptor binding. Variation in FAAH activity between individuals (genetic and state-dependent) is one source of inter-patient variability in cannabinoid response.
Related terms
- Endocannabinoid systemThe network of receptors, endogenous ligands, and enzymes that cannabinoids act upon.
- CB1 receptorThe cannabinoid receptor concentrated in the central nervous system; primary mediator of THC psychoactive effects.
- CBD (cannabidiol)Non-psychoactive cannabinoid with established use in some seizure disorders and emerging use in anxiety.