What is anandamide and how does it relate to THC and CBD?

You have an extensive endocannabinoid system in your body that plays a very important role. Anandamide is an endocannabinoid that is one of the essential molecules in your body. So what’s in it for you? Is it possible that THC and CBD are having a huge impact on them? What can you do with it Let’s get answers!

Anandamide occurs naturally in the body as an endocannabinoid (one of many). Interest in this is very great today because it is obvious that this molecule can have a positive effect on the body, and now scientists are interested in harnessing its potential.

Some phytocannabinoids in the cannabis plant can increase the levels of anandamide in your body, allowing them to be used in a controlled manner.

Endocannabinoids, what is it about?

Before anyone can understand the concept of anandamide, a thorough look at endocannabinoids is crucial. Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids that are naturally produced in the human body.

Some people are always shocked to discover that their body has its own way of creating and maximizing cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system (ECS). But it’s true, and it plays a vital role in our health.

ECS is linked to several aspects of our body such as memory, cognition, regulation of cell growth, maintenance of homeostasis, cognition, and motor control. It could be one of your body’s most important systems.

There are also two important receptors related to ECS: the CB1 and CB2 receptors. These are receptors that are found in almost every part of your body. Anandamide is one of your body’s endocannabinoids with solid connections to both receptors. What is anandamide?

The concept of anandamide

Anandamide is a natural cannabinoid. Its name comes from a Sanskrit word that means luck or bliss. It is also called “happiness” molecules. Anandamide, although made naturally in small amounts, has powerful effects.

However, it is not safe to assume that more anandamide is good for the body. As with all body processes, balance should always be the focus. Some researchers suggest that excess anandamide leads to overstimulation of the CB1 receptors. If these receptors are overly stimulated, it can disrupt your body’s reward system and increase the likelihood of other diseases such as obesity.

Anandamide is not soluble in water: it cannot break down into a liquid state. In order for it to be broken down, your body needs to produce fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerolipase (MAGL). Without these enzymes, anandamide is not present in the body.

It is important to note that naturally produced anandamide cannot get you high, although it does induce feelings of euphoria, bliss, and elation. Anandamide also plays a role in homeostasis, a process that allows the body to maintain its normal functions.

For example, homeostasis keeps your body cool when it’s hot and keeps your body warm when it’s cold. Without homeostasis, it’s hard to think about how our bodies will function. Interestingly, anandamide isn’t the only endocannabinoid that affects homeostasis, but it remains an important part of the ECS and enables effective body regulation.

The Phytocannabinoids: How CBD and THC Affect Anandamide

As for the moment, what role does cannabis play in all of these things? Cannabis has its special cannabinoid system that produces phytocannabinoids. These phytocannabinoids are at least 113 in number, and they interact with your body’s ECS, each of them having different effects.

Two of these cannabinoids are now THC and CBD. Although there are the two most abundant cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, they interact with the ECS in different ways. Therefore, they have different effects on the body.

THC is one of the most famous cannabis cannabinoids that causes a high and interacts with its CB1 and CB2 receptors. THC mimics anandamide in your body, making it easy for it to bind to the same receptors. This explains why it has a profound effect; Think of it as a high dose of anandamide.

Additionally, enzymes in your body can break down anandamide, but find it complicated and difficult to do with HC. Because of this, the high from THC can last longer, while the effects of anandamide are short-lived.

CBD works differently. CBD has no affinity for CB1 or CB2 receptors and appears to block them, limiting their uptake. Hence, CBD appears to counteract the psychotropic effects of THC.

CBD also sustains the body’s own production of MAGL and FAAH, which enzymes are used to break down anandamide. This increases the concentration of anandamide available to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Because of this, CBD can induce feelings of serenity, wellbeing, and happiness without causing a high.

How to increase anandamide

A few ways to increase the levels of anandamide in your body, and not all methods involve smoking weed. Some anandamide foods and supplements that you can consume and activities that you can do will boost your anandamide. Here are some of the plausible methods:

Exercise improves your well-being as you feel fit and comfortable after every session. Interestingly, anandamide increases half an hour after physical activity. So if you go swimming, spend time in the gym, or run, you can increase your endocannabinoid counts.

Chocolate has the properties that slow the breakdown of anandamide, thereby producing even more anandamide. But think about the type of chocolate you ingest, as a milk chocolate bar wouldn’t be enough. It would be helpful if you had cocoa nibs that have all of the anandamide-boosting nutrients your body needs.

The production of oxytocin when you are in love stimulates anandamide production. A few ways to increase oxytocin production and the simplest methods are the physical ones that involve sex or a soothing massage.

Bottom line

So it is evident that anandamide and the larger ECS play a vital role in increasing our health and general wellbeing. From physical well-being to mental health, part of the ECS has a profound impact on us.

With the introduction of cannabis, it affects anandamide and other parts of the ECS, which means that the body’s cannabinoid can safely work in the system. THC and CBD are doing tremendously well in the health and wellness sector, all due to the effects of cannabis.

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