Anandamide (AEA)

Anandamide is an endogenous fatty acid neurotransmitter belonging to the class of endocannabinoids. Chemically known as N-arachidonoylethanolamine or AEA, it is formed by the condensation of arachidonic acid with ethanolamine. Anandamide acts primarily as a ligand for cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues but also interacts with other targets such as TRPV1 channels and certain orphan G protein-coupled receptors. It plays key roles in modulating pain sensation, appetite regulation, mood stabilization, vasodilation, neuroprotection, and possibly metabolic processes related to obesity. Its levels are tightly regulated by rapid enzymatic degradation via fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). While anandamide itself is not considered a direct therapeutic target like a receptor or enzyme—rather it is a signaling molecule—its pathways are targeted indirectly by drugs that modulate its synthesis or breakdown.[1][2][4][5]

Other names

N-arachidonoylethanolamineArachidonylethanolamideArachidonoyl ethanolamide(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)icosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenamideAnandamide (20:4, n-6)N-Arachidonoyl ethanolamine[1][7]

Anandamide itself is not a drug target but acts as an endogenous ligand for several receptors. Its mechanisms include: - Agonist at cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2)[2][5] - Agonist at transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 channel (TRPV1)[5] - Partial agonist at GPR55 and GPR119 receptors; activator of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs)[5]