Formula: C22H37 NO2
Molecular Mass: 347.53468 g/mol
Decarboxylation Point: ????
Boiling Point: ????
LD50 (Lethal Dose): Currently Unknown for humans, 100mg/kg for mice (Compare to Nicotine: for rats – 50 mg/kg, for humans – 0.5-1 mg/kg)
Therapeutic Uses
Analgesic – Relieves pain.
Angiogenic – Causes new blood vessels to form from pre-existing blood vessels.
Anti-inflammatory – Reduces inflammation systemically.
Anti-Proliferative – Inhibits cancer cell growth.
Anxiolytic – Relieves anxiety.
Euphoriant – Produces feelings of euphoria, promotes happiness and relaxation.
Neurogenic – Promotes the growth of new brain cells. Specifically within the Hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for memory and spatial awareness (just like CBD).
Currently Being Studied For
Angiogenesis: Anandamide is unique among cannabinoids for its ability to cause blood cells to split and form new blood cells. This process is known as angiogenesis and its proper functioning is crucial to fighting off the spread of cancer due to the necessity of oxygen, nutrients, and bodily waste removal that come with it.
Anxiety: Anandamide, like THC, has been shown to reduce anxiety. This 2009 study, while done on mice, still sheds plenty of light on the mechanisms that AEA uses to reduce mental stress and anxiety in those experiencing it.
Cancer: As early as 1998, Anandamide had been identified as an anti-proliferative compound. This means that, like most cannabinoids, Anandamide helps slow the growth and spread of cancerous cells. Specifically the 1998 study looked at its role in inhibiting the proliferation of breast cancer cells. A more recent study from 2007 showed that AEA not only suppressed the growth of tumors it also spurred the formation of new blood cells. If that wasn’t enough Anandamide also induces COX-2-dependant cell death, a type of apoptosis that helps control the growth of cancerous cells. Specifically, AEA was found to do this in apoptosis resistant colon-cancer cells.
Memory Consolidation: Anandamide has been shown to , a process where things in the short term memory get transferred into the long term memory. This gives Anandamide a very unique and important role in allowing people to function normally and to build on their prior knowledge, rather than having to relearn the same things constantly. You can think of memory consolidation as a fancy way to say learning. This same study emphasized the anti-anxiety effects of AEA.
Check out other posts in the Cannabinoid and Endocannabinoid Profile series.
[…] its action on the human endocannabinoid CB2 receptors, CBD could help counteract these reactions and regulate the microglial cell functions […]