Anandamide
Anadamide (= arachidonylethanolamide)- the name is derived from the Sanskrit word ananda, “bliss”- binds to the THC receptors in the brain and is the endogenous THC analog, even though the inner structure of the two are quite different. Recently, anadamide has been discovered in chocolate and cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao) as well as in red wine (cf. Vitis vinifera) (Grotenherman 1996).
“Hansen (1994) indicated that the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (arachidonylethanolamide) may be synthesized from n-3 fatty acid precursors, especially AA. Anandamide is a neuromodulator with presumed activity on anxiety, memory and pain mechanisms in the [Central Nervous System]. It was recently demonstrated that anandamide and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibit tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a mediator of inflammation. (Cabral et al. , 1995). Caughey and colleagues (1996) were able to demonstrate that flaxseed oil supplementation also inhibited TNF.
- page. 86, Handbook of Psychtropic Herbs: A Scientific Analysis of Herbal Remedies for Psychiatric Conditions by Dr. Ethan Russo, MD (2001).
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