Chemical formula of anandamide

Anandamide Effects on the Body and Mind

  • How does anandamide make you feel? 
  • What are anandamide’s effects on the body and mind? 
  • What is the best anandamide supplement to promote mental and emotional well-being?  

There is a lot of buzz around anandamide, the so-called ‘bliss’ molecule that benefits mental and physical health.* Anandamide, the first discovered endocannabinoid, has been extensively studied for its possible therapeutic use.So, what are the effects of anandamide on the body and mind? Are the benefits similar to those of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) found in the Cannabis sativa plant? 

Here are the answers to your questions about how anandamide exerts health benefits and why you should include an advanced, nano-formulated anandamide supplement in your diet. Use the links below to jump ahead to different topics on the page.

Anandamide Effects on the Body

Anandamide (N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamide (AEA) is a cannabinoid produced by the body. It is a lipid-based neurotransmitter that binds to cannabinoid receptors in different regions of the body and brain. Cannabinoids stimulate the receptors CB1 and CB2 within the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS’s functions include regulating memory, appetite, movement, metabolism, immune function, cardiopulmonary function, and salivation.  

The following table highlights how anandamide promotes several health functions.   

Health Function

Anandamide Effects

Brain Health

  • Up-regulates the activity of dopamine transporter (DAT) — a protein that controls dopamine transmission.*1
  • Participates in maintaining a normal level of serotonin to benefit stress-related behaviors.*2
  • Promotes vigilance states and influences sleep cycles.*3

Heart Health

  • Promotes vasodilation — the widening of the pulmonary arteries and other blood vessels to support heart health and normal circulation.*4
  • Acts as a stress response system to limit damage to cardiac tissues that can arise from certain pathologies.*5

Gastrointestinal Health

  • Up-regulates positive appetitive behavior by stimulating CB1 receptors.*
  • Plays a potential beneficial role in gut-brain signaling, gut motility, and gastric secretions.*6

Immune Health

  • Supports healthy immune responses in the gut and the pancreas.*7
  • Benefits immune function by suppressing cell activation, inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production, NF-κB-dependent apoptosis (cell death), and supporting the functions of a subset of T-helper cells (Th1 and Th2).8

Musculoskeletal health

  • Jointly works with sphingomyelins (a type of lipid found in cell membranes) in skeletal muscles to help reduce whole-body energy metabolism.*9 
  • Enhances energy storage in the adipose tissue and limits energy expenditure by influencing both lipid and glucose metabolism.*10 

Anandamide Effects on the Mind

Several studies show that anandamide displays psychoactive properties, exerting an overall beneficial effect on the brain’s reward circuitry, thereby supporting mental and emotional health.* The name anandamide is derived from the Sanskrit word Ananda, which means “bliss,” because the molecule plays a role in up-regulating the activities of the feel-good hormones in the brain — dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins.

Anandamide Effects on the Mind

  • Anandamide helps alleviate anxiousness.* 
    1. A clinical study on animal models indicates that an anandamide deficiency in the central nervous system is directly correlated with greater expression of anxiousness and stress.*11 
    2. Research indicates that the anxiousness-alleviating effects of anandamide helps minimize learned fear by dampening its expression and enhancing its extinction.*  
  • Anandamide contributes to the ‘runner’s high.’ 
    1. The ‘runner’s high’ — a brief, relaxing state of euphoria characterized by reduced anxiousness and pain awareness, is attributed to the release of endocannabinoids during and after endurance exercise.* 
    2. A review of clinical studies highlights a rise in the level of anandamide after periods of exercise. Also, most studies and samples reported positive mood effects post-exercise.* 
  • Anandamide promotes the feeling of well-being.*
    1. Anandamide up-regulates positive emotional states by enhancing the activity of dopamine, the ‘happy’ or ‘feel-good’ hormone.*
    2. Dopamine is a key hormone that increases feelings of pleasure as part of the brain’s reward system. Anandamide’s role in beneficially enhancing dopamine levels highlights its involvement in promoting feelings of well-being.*   

Effects of Anandamide compared to  THC and  CBD 

Anandamide, referred to as the body’s endogenous cannabinoid, plays a crucial role in the endocannabinoid system. But how does it compare to plant-derived cannabinoids like THC and CBD? 

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) binds directly to cannabinoid receptors, particularly CB1 and CB2, mimicking the actions of anandamide by interacting with these same receptors. Cannabidiol (CBD), on the other hand, works indirectly with CB1 receptors to enhance endogenous anandamide signaling. CBD also down-regulates the production of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme, which inhibits anandamide degradation.

The following table highlights the different effects of anandamide, THC, and CBD.


Effects of Anandamide vs. THC vs. CBD

Cannabinoid

Effects

Anandamide

  • Anandamide primarily binds to and activates the CB1 receptors.*
  • Preclinical studies show that anandamide alleviates non-GAD anxiety.* Anandamide benefits memory, appetite, movement, metabolism, immune function, and other body functions.*
  • Anandamide exhibits a relatively shorter duration of action and rapid inactivation.
  • Anandamide intake in significantly higher amounts (3 mg/kg) has been found to increase feelings of anxiety. 

THC

  • The chemical structure of THC is similar to anandamide, and it interacts directly with CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors to mimic anandamide functions.
  • Research suggests that THC stimulates feelings of anxiety (non-GAD).
  • The psychotropic effects of THC can last for 4 – 12 hours.
  • THC can cause altered perception, cognition, mood, consciousness, and behavior. Some adverse effects of THC overdose  include anxiety and panic attacks, with increased heart rate and changes in blood pressure.

Cannabidiol

  • Although CBD displays a low affinity to CB1 receptors, it influences their functions indirectly.
  • CBD enhances anandamide signaling by inhibiting the production of the FAAH enzyme.
  • CBD, the non-psychoactive isomer of THC, exerts anxiolytic effects to lower anxiety (non-GAD). Unlike THC, CBD has no psychotropic effects.  

Notably, the FDA has restricted approval of CBD products as nutritional supplements and food additives. Therefore, anandamide supplements are a suitable alternative to promote neurological health and wellbeing.* 

Why Should I Take An Anandamide Supplement?

Does your body need an anandamide supplement when it is already endogenously producing the ‘bliss’ molecule? The following are reasons why  anandamide supplementation may be beneficial:

  • Filling nutrient gaps in your diet: Dietary sources, such as cacao beans and truffles, only contain trace amounts of anandamide, which might be insufficient to maintain an optimal level in the body.
  • Enhancing the absorption of anandamide: Research indicates that a low concentration of anandamide enhances nitric oxide (NO) levels in platelet cells in the blood. Anandamide supplement formulations, especially those containing L-citrulline, a precursor to NO, may further enhance overall NO production. This increase in NO can support improved blood flow and nutrients delivery to the brain, promoting neurological health and function.*
  • Micro-dosing: Too much anandamide can overstimulate the CB1 receptors, disrupting the brain’s reward circuitry. An advanced nutritional supplement is a convenient way to ingest anandamide orally in a lower, more optimal amount.  

Are Anandamide Supplements Efficacious?

The efficacy of an anandamide supplement depends on how well it is absorbed. Although anandamide has numerous desirable pharmacological effects and health benefits, its unfavorable physico-chemical properties pose a significant challenge during the development and storage of supplement formulations, as well as their subsequent absorption in the body. The efficacy of an anandamide supplement is hindered by the following:  

  • Instability of the anandamide molecule: Anandamide is a derivative of arachidonic acid and is highly prone to oxidative thermal degradation, hence, it is best stored at −20°C.
  • Activity of gastrointestinal enzymes: Gastrointestinal digestive enzymes can hinder the intact absorption of anandamide through the gut wall. 

For the above reasons, anandamide molecules encapsulated in nanocarriers are more easily absorbed across the gut wall, thus achieving their therapeutic possibilities.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Anandamide

Are there side effects to taking an anandamide supplement?

Research shows that over-stimulating CB1 receptors can disrupt the brain’s reward circuitry, resulting in unhealthy dietary patterns and weight gain. Anandamide intake in significantly higher amounts than its suggested use can cause anxiety-like effects.  

When should I take an anandamide supplement?

You should consult with your healthcare provider if you are considering including an anandamide supplement in your diet.        

Can I take an anandamide supplement with prescription medications?

Because there is limited data on the potential contraindications of anandamide with prescription medications, you should consult with your healthcare provider before taking an anandamide supplement with a prescription medication.  

How do I determine the efficacy of an anandamide supplement formulation?

In general, the absorption of the active nutrients in any nutritional supplement formulation determines the efficacy of the supplement. 

Tesseract Medical Research’s AnaQuell® is an innovative nutritional supplement formulation that supports the body’s natural response to stress and anxiousness.* In particular, the combination of anandamide and L-citrulline in AnaQuell’s proprietary complex supports a healthy response to mood changes and mild non-GAD anxiety.* Including L-citrulline in the AnaQuell formulation supports NO production, which enhances blood flow and promotes normal cardiovascular health.* 

Tesseract’s revolutionary CyLoc® – DexKey® technology is a nanomolecular nutrient delivery system that solubilizes anandamide, enabling its unprecedented absorption across the gut wall. As a result, the enhanced bioavailability of anandamide molecules enables micro-dosing of the formulation to support overall health and wellness.*

The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing absorption and bioavailability, and nano -dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they can help support your neurological health.*

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Citations:

1Oz M, et al. Journal of Neurochemistry vol. 112,6 (2010): 1454-1464. doi:10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.06557.x

2Maldonado, Rafael et al. “The endocannabinoid system in modulating fear, anxiety, and stress
.” Dialogues in clinical neuroscience vol. 22,3 (2020): 229-239. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.3/rmaldonado

3Murillo-Rodríguez, E et al. “Anandamide modulates sleep and memory in rats.” Brain research vol. 812,1-2 (1998): 270-4. doi:10.1016/s0006-8993(98)00969-x

4Martín Giménez, Virna Margarita et al. “Anandamide and endocannabinoid system: an attractive therapeutic approach for cardiovascular disease.” Therapeutic advances in cardiovascular disease vol. 12,7 (2018): 177-190. doi:10.1177/1753944718773690

5Hiley, C Robin. “Endocannabinoids and the heart.” Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology vol. 53,4 (2009): 267-76. doi:10.1097/FJC.0b013e318192671d

6DiPatrizio, Nicholas V. “Endocannabinoids in the Gut.” Cannabis and cannabinoid research vol. 1,1 (2016): 67-77. doi:10.1089/can.2016.0001

7Acharya, Nandini et al. “Endocannabinoid system acts as a regulator of immune homeostasis in the gut.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America vol. 114,19 (2017): 5005-5010. doi:10.1073/pnas.1612177114

8Pandey, Rupal et al. “Endocannabinoids and immune regulation.” Pharmacological research vol. 60,2 (2009): 85-92. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2009.03.019

9Heinitz, Sascha et al. “Endocannabinoid Anandamide Mediates the Effect of Skeletal Muscle Sphingomyelins on Human Energy Expenditure.” The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism vol. 103,10 (2018): 3757-3766. doi:10.1210/jc.2018-00780

10Di Marzo, Vincenzo et al. “Cannabinoids and endocannabinoids in metabolic disorders with focus on diabetes.” Handbook of experimental pharmacology ,203 (2011): 75-104. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-17214-4_4

Al Czap, Founder | Tesseract

Al Czap has more than four decades of professional experience in preventative medicine. He founded Thorne Research in 1984 (sold in 2010) and he published Alternative Medicine Review for 17 years beginning in 1996. AMR was a highly acclaimed, peer-reviewed, and indexed medical journal. Al was the first to recognize the need for hypoallergenic ingredients and to devise methods of manufacture for and delivery of hypoallergenic products to underserved patient populations. His work has greatly impacted those with impaired immune and digestive systems and compromised health due to environmental exposures.

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