<P> Anandamide, also known as N - arachidonoylethanolamine or AEA, is a fatty acid neurotransmitter derived from the non-oxidative metabolism of eicosatetraenoic acid (arachidonic acid) an essential ω - 6 polyunsaturated fatty acid . The name is taken from the Sanskrit & Pāli word ananda, which means "joy, bliss, delight", and amide . It is synthesized from N - arachidonoyl phosphatidylethanolamine by multiple pathways . It is degraded primarily by the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme, which converts anandamide into ethanolamine and arachidonic acid . As such, inhibitors of FAAH lead to elevated anandamide levels and are being pursued for therapeutic use . </P> <P> Anandamide was first described in 1992 by W.A. Devane and Lumír Hanuš . </P> <P> Anandamide's effects can occur in either the central or peripheral nervous system . These distinct effects are mediated primarily by CB cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system, and CB cannabinoid receptors in the periphery . The latter are mainly involved in functions of the immune system . Cannabinoid receptors were originally discovered as being sensitive to Δ - tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ - THC, commonly called THC), which is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis . The discovery of anandamide came from research into CB and CB, as it was inevitable that a naturally occurring (endogenous) chemical would be found to affect these receptors . </P> <P> Anandamide has been shown to impair working memory in rats . Studies are under way to explore what role anandamide plays in human behavior, such as eating and sleep patterns, and pain relief . </P>

Interferes with anandamide function as it connects to the same receptors in the brain