Why does cannabis make you so happy? Meet anandamide

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.

Anandamide, popularly known as the cannabis bliss molecule, also known as AEA (to scientists), holds the secret to the pleasure cannabis brings to its users.

Cannabinoids are an exciting group of compounds. Over the years, cannabis-inclined researchers or scientists have made several discoveries regarding cannabis plants, their cannabinoid and terpene profiles, and their unique relationship with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). It may interest you that the human body produces a natural class of cannabinoids, one of which is the anandamides.

Photo by Andre Hunter via Unsplash

General overview of anandamide

Anandamide is a primary endogenous cannabinoid produced in the human body. This class of cannabinoids isn’t as famous as their plant-derived counterparts, but they react very well with each other.

The name “anandamide” literally means “the molecule of bliss”. So many people assume this connection is informally referred to as the “Bliss Connection” when that’s just the literal meaning of the name. Anand means bliss or joy while amide is used to describe the chemical formula of the molecule.

Anandamide has unique properties and activities that help the ECS form a beneficial relationship with plant-derived cannabis plants. It wasn’t discovered until the early 1900s, around the time that THC, CBD, and other phytocannabinoids were discovered. Subsequently, scientific journals suggested that phytocannabinoids could bind to natural receptors in the human body to demonstrate their effects. Between 1990 and 1995, Drs. Rapheal Mecholam and his research team on the successful isolation of anandamide from the human brain.

As previously mentioned, anandamide is naturally produced in the human body in small amounts. The production process is distributed through different molecular pathways using multiple enzymes. Anandamide has a relatively short half-life that begins with N-arachidonoylphosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE), the membrane precursor. When anandamide is released into the body, it quickly dissolves.

The importance and function of anandamide

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) consists primarily of the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Both receptors interact with other factors to ensure the body’s homeostatic state is maintained.

Mecholam and his team observed that the happiness molecule behaves like THC. Both compounds have a highly bindable response with cannabinoid receptors. Anandamide and THC are partial agonists of CB1 and CB2. They are able to trigger effects on the CNS and the immune system. However, THC has a stronger, more innate relationship with the CB1 receptor.

RELATED: Want a higher quality of life? Use cannabis daily, says a new Brazilian mental health study

Over a period of time, THC catalyzes several chemical effects. In contrast, anandamide is fragile, which is another reason it cannot induce significant psychoactive effects. It is instead responsible for evoking feelings of pleasure, reward, inspiration, or motivation. Its location in the brain is primarily in areas relevant to memory, feeding, learning, and movement. Scientists say anandamide allows people to make or break neutral connections that promote memory and learning.

The primary function of anandamide is homeostasis. The brain releases it regularly to keep the endocannabinoid system in good working order.

RELATED: Anandamide: How This Natural Cannabinoid Makes Us Happy

Cannabis and anandamide share a unique, multi-faceted relationship. Each cannabinoid in the cannabis plant has a different effect on the happiness molecule. Scientists would have liked more information on the results of THC and CBD on the AEA molecule.

THC and AEA

THC and anandamide have similar profiles. They are both partial agonists of the CB1 receptor and have comparable chemical structures.

When the body breaks down THC, it hijacks the CB1 receptors, causing a more profound dramatic response that manifests as psychoactivity. THC gradually affects the performance of the orbitofrontal cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. The user can sometimes experience a lack of coordination and short-term memory.

Photo by Helena Lopes via Pexels

THC and AEA stimulate the release of dopamine, which induces a feeling of pleasure in the user. Dopamine is also involved in other actions like sex, feeding, and rewards.

The brain chemical dopamine is released when neurons transmit electrical signals to one another. The type of signal you send determines the decisions you make in your day-to-day activities. Without dopamine, you wouldn’t be able to consciously or subconsciously motivate yourself, learn to change moods, or maintain a healthy attention span.

Note that short-term, infrequent use of THC affects the brain’s reward system directly—as long as the compound remains active. Regular consumption of THC could relatively decrease the amount of dopamine produced, leading to decreased motivation and other negative emotions. The anandamide molecules are directly affected by

CBD and AEA

CBD, the second most important cannabinoid derived from plants, reacts with the FAAH enzyme (the chemical involved in breaking down AEA).

CBD is the main reason anandamide has a short half-life because it counteracts the effects of the brain chemical – as it stops the breakdown of the FAAH enzyme.

Prolonging the availability of AEA in the body

Increasing the amount of anandamide in the body is not only achievable by smoking or using THC-based products. There are various other ways that you can increase the happiness molecule, either by eating certain foods, engaging in some activities, or using other minor cannabinoid products.

The main thing is to consume substances that inhibit FAAH or contain significant amounts of anandamide. As a result, the body automatically has an increased AEA level.

Some of the substances that you can consume are CBD extract, CBD oil, black truffle, chocolate, black or long pepper, and camphor oil. Exercise and activities such as snuggling or yoga, bicycling, and long-distance running all help increase anandamide levels. It is advisable to stick to endurance activities.

bottom line

In the long term, responsible cannabis use would help encourage a more open perspective on life. Scientific knowledge of anandamide and its relationship to cannabinoids has come a long way since the discovery of the first cannabinoid.

There is still tons of information to be discovered about how cannabis plants and cannabinoids could be maximized to help users feel happier in the long run. Until then, I recommend you continue to use THC-based products in moderation. Always remember that as your AEA levels increase, you will gain more bliss or pleasure with more cannabinoids, endurance-based exercise or activity, and a balanced meal.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.