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anandamide

noun
anan·​da·​mide | \ ə-ˈnan-də-ˌmīd How to pronounce anandamide (audio) \

Definition of anandamide

: a derivative of arachidonic acid that occurs naturally in the brain and in some foods (such as chocolate) and that binds to the same brain receptors as the cannabinoids (such as THC) derived from cannabis

Note: Anandamide and other endogenously produced compounds are now classified as cannabinoids or endocannabinoids.

Examples of anandamide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 For the non-scientists among us, by blocking FAAH, CBD can help increase your level of anandamide. — Laurel Leicht, Marie Claire, "An Expert Answers All Your Questions About CBD," 26 Mar. 2019 Our bodies actually make our own cannabis-type chemical called anandamide, also known as the bliss molecule. — Meirav Devash, Allure, "Everything You Need to Know About CBD Oil in Beauty Products," 25 June 2018 His research on anandamide, for example, has been cited in respected scientific journals some 4,000 times. — Yardena Schwartz, Newsweek, "The Outsourcing of American Marijuana Research," 17 Dec. 2015 That’s because THC occupies the same receptors on neurons as a natural brain chemical called anandamide. — Lisa M. Krieger, The Cannifornian, "Cannabis and the teen brain: Key development stages require caution, doctors say," 23 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anandamide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of anandamide

1992, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for anandamide

Sanskrit ānanda "joy, bliss" (from ā- "near, toward"—going back to Indo-Iranian *ā-, of uncertain origin — + -nanda, noun derivative of nandati "[s/he] rejoices, takes delight," of uncertain origin) + amide

Note: Term introduced by William A. Devane, Raphael Mechoulam, et al., "Isolation and Structure of a Brain Constituent That Binds to the Cannabinoid Receptor," Science, vol. 258 (18 December 1992), pp. 1946-49. According to a footnote on p. 1949, "[t]he term 'anandamide' was coined from the Sanskrit word 'ananda,' meaning bliss, and from the chemical nature of the compound." The noun ānanda, known already in the Rig-Veda, would appear to be a derivative of ānandati, but this verb is attested only in much later Sanskrit.

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More Definitions for anandamide

anandamide

noun
anan·​da·​mide | \ ə-ˈnan-də-ˌmīd How to pronounce anandamide (audio) \

Medical Definition of anandamide

: a derivative of arachidonic acid that occurs naturally in the brain and in some foods (as chocolate) and that binds to the same brain receptors as the cannabinoids (as THC)

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