If you come across anandamide for the first time, you may be confused with other names.
Arachidonoyl Ethanolamide, arachidonoylethanolamide, N-arachidonoylethanolamine, and AEA are all equivalent to anandamide itself. By the way, (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)icosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenamide is anandamide’s chemical name (IUPAC name) and maybe only used in the scientific literature. However, 94421-68-8 is its unique chemical ID (CAS Registry Number). Since AEA is the shortest term for anandamide, we may use AEA frequently to refer to anandamide in the following texts and images.
What is anandamide?
According to Wikipedia, anandamide is an endogenous cannabinoid neurotransmitter in the brain, which means that the human brain is able to produce anandamide without taking foods containing AEA. The brains of mammal species and raw cacao are confirmed to contain some amount of anandamide.
Food sources of anandamide
There are few direct natural sources for anandamide, and chocolate and truffles are on top. Truffle is too expensive for anandamide, and chocolate seems to be the most reliable source for sustainable large quantities of the foods.
Anandamide and chocolates
Cacao beans, the source of chocolates, is also a rich source of anandamide. There are more than 300 chemical constituents in chocolate. Caffeine, theobromine, and phenylethylamine are known ingredients that elevate our mood. Theobromine actually helps stimulate the brain to release more anandamide to make us feel happier.
Why has anandamide become so increasingly popular in recent years?
Before answering this question, we need to mention cannabis, THC & CBD (Cannabidiol) first.
Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is a flowering plant, and people use it as a party drug or smoke it to create a “high” or “stoned” feeling.
Cannabis and THC
The active ingredient in cannabis that makes you high is THC, with the full name as delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol. When people smoke marijuana, the tetrahydrocannabinol in cannabis stimulates the cannabis receptor, making people feel a sense of happiness and mental well-being.
Anandamide vs THC
Cannabis is a plant source of THC.
Anandamide is the human version of THC.
Scientists discovered AEA in 1992 and THC in 1964.
Anandamide releases mood-enhancing chemicals from the brain, and its biological mechanism is similar to tetrahydrocannabinol in cannabis.
Yes, they target the same cannabis receptor, and we’ll talk about the mechanism of AEA soon.
However, the potency of THC is much stronger than AEA. The feeling of taking AEA is less pleasant than smoking cannabis since anandamide metabolizes quickly in the body, probably within 30 minutes.
Since cannabis is forbidden in most countries, supplements, foods, beverages, or cosmetics containing THC are illegal. In this sense, anandamide is the future.
Anandamide vs CBD
The marijuana plant has 400+ compounds, and more than 60 different cannabinoids bind to receptors in our body.
CBD is the short form of cannabidiol and is one of those 60 cannabinoids. CBD is a phytocannabinoid in cannabis. More than 40% of cannabis extract is CBD.
Scientists and physicians found that CBD is able to improve anandamide’s level in the brain’s synapses as an anandamide reuptake and breakdown inhibitor. Fatty acid amide hydrolase, also known as FAAH for short, is an enzyme that breaks down AEA. That’s how CBD inhibits FAAH and improves AEA naturally.
CBD can do much more than that. CBD can be beneficial to the entire Endocannabinoid System
. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p1aCWEajh8
Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
Before discussing the functions of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), it is important to understand its components. The ECS is comprised of cannabinoid receptors, endogenous ligands (binding molecules) for those receptors, and enzymes that synthesize and degrade the ligands.
| classical ECS | Extended ECS | |
| cannabinoid receptors | CB1, CB2 | PPAR,GPR,TRPV,FLAT,FABP |
| endogenous ligands | AEA, 2-AG | OEA,PEA,2-AGE,NADA,VA,EPEA,SEA,OA,DHEA |
| Enzymes degrading ligands | FAAH,MAGL | ABHD6,COX-2,ABHD12 |
| Enzymes synthesizing ligands | DAGL,NAT,NAPE-PLD | SHIP1,PTPN22,PLC,GDEI,ABHD4 |
The inner circle (light gray) represents the ‘classical’ endocannabinoid system. The outer circle (dark gray) includes components of the extended endocannabinoid system. As you may see, PEA, SEA, and OEA are also included in the endocannabinoid system.
The ECs have a central nervous system (CNS) origin and include anandamide (AEA), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), noladin ether, virodhamine and N-arachidonylodopamine (NADA). And anandamide is the first and also the most important ligand in the endocannabinoid system.
Anandamide and 2-AG
As mentioned above, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are the two primary ligands in the ECS system. The ECS helps regulate functions such as sleeping, immune system, and pain modulation.
Scientists discovered Anandamide in the year of 1992 and 2-AG 3 years later. AEA and 2-AG have a very similar molecular structure and thus same physical and chemical properties.
Anandamide mainly targets the receptor CB1 in the brain, while 2-AG targets both CB1 and CB2 receptors (in the immune system).
Both Anandamide and 2-AG are synthesized from arachidonic acid, an Omega-6 fatty acid, with different pathways and synthesizing enzymes. Degrading enzyme FAAH (Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase) for AEA and 2-AG by MAGL enzyme (Monoacylglycerol Lipase).
The key comparisons are summarized as below:
| anandamide (AEA) | (2-AG) | |
| CAS number | 94421-68-8 | 53847-30-6 |
| Molecular formula | C22H37NO2 | C23H38O4 |
| Year Discovered | 1992 | 1995 |
| Targeted receptor | CB1 | both CB1 and CB2 |
| Synthesis from | arachidonic acid | arachidonic acid |
| Degraded by | FAAH | monoacylglyceride lipase |
Biosynthetic pathways breakdown pathways of AEA and 2-AG
People name Anandamide “bliss molecule” because AEA is able to make you feel happy.
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous ingredient that boosts anandamide activity.
To learn more about PEA, please visit our PEA page.
Anandamide specifications
Bulk anandamide oil and anandamide powder are both available at Cima Science.
Anandamide oil: 70%, 90%
Anandamide powder: 50%
If you want higher assay and purer AEA, Cima Science Co., Ltd can customize specifications upon your detailed request.
Where to buy bulk anandamide oil?
Wuxi Cima is the first bulk Anandamide manufacturer in China, perhaps the first in the world. Both powder and oil liquid forms are available. If you wan to know the AEA pricing, and want to use it in your supplement formula, please feel free to contact us with the contact form, or send emails directly on our contact page.
Anandamide references:
- Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol- pharmacological properties, functional features, and emerging specificities of the two major endocannabinoids
- Anandamide and its metabolites what are their roles in the kidney
- Biosynthetic Pathways of the Endocannabinoid Anandamide
- Cannabidiol enhances anandamide signaling and alleviates psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia
- Chemical Probes of Endocannabinoid Metabolism
- chocolate consumption in children and adults
- Differential role of anandamide and 2arachidonoylglycerol in memory and anxiety-like responses
- Structure Activity of CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists
- Targeting the endocannabinoid system as a potential anticancer approach
- The cannabinoid CB 1 receptor and the endocannabinoid anandamide possible antidepressant targets
- The endocannabinoid system, anandamide and the regulation of mammalian cell apoptosis
- The Endogenous cannabinoid anandamide inhibits human breast cancer cell proliferation
