The human body's own THC

There are many different types of people who enjoy smoking marijuana: entrepreneurs, teenagers, patients, doctors—even our ancestors from hundreds of years ago. Have you ever wondered what we all have in common? Every human produces its own endocannabinoid called anandamide, which looks and acts very similar to THC. To learn more about anandamide, visit:

Isn't it a bit mysterious that no matter how much the world has changed around us, humans have always loved smoking marijuana?

We've tried to fit marijuana into many categories—endogenous, cultural, generational—but all of that can be, honestly, child's play. Marijuana use seems to transcend race, age, and culture—regardless of the era. And the more socially accepted it becomes, the more open people of all demographics are about its use.

So what's responsible for the fact that both grandma and her grandson enjoy smoking marijuana so much, unlike their counterparts from 40 years ago? The answer could literally lie in the biology of the human body itself. The human body produces its own THC-like cannabinoid called anandamide. Is it possible that anandamide is the reason why smoking marijuana feels so good to many people?

What is anandamide?

This chemical compound is often referred to as the “joy molecule” because its name, ananda, originates from the Sanskrit word meaning happiness or bliss. Anandamide belongs to the class of compounds in the body called amide-phatic acids and belongs to the human body's endogenous cannabinoid system. Its full chemical name is N-arachidonoylethanolamide.

Anandamide reacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors, which means it reaches the brain and central nervous system. Like THC, this cannabinoid is responsible for the "high" type of sensation—as well as increased appetite and drowsiness. It also plays a major role in other vital bodily functions.

The Human Brain: A Cannabinoid Puzzle

Why would the human brain have a cannabinoid receptor that would fit almost perfectly in THC, when it is not naturally produced in the body?

This is the puzzle that scientists faced and what eventually led to the discovery of anandamide.

The presence of a naturally occurring cannabinoid was discovered by people still working on Raphael Mechoulam's marijuana-loving team. William Devane and Lumir Hanus, in 1992, discovered the final piece of the cannabinoid puzzle. They decided to name it anandamide, after the Sanskrit word for happiness.

While THC fits almost perfectly into the cannabinoid receptor, the neurotransmitter anandamide actually fits perfectly on the cannabinoid receptor in the brain. The discovery of anandamide meant many things for our understanding of cannabis and the human body.

The isolation and discovery of an endocannabinoid confirmed that there is, in fact, a complete endocannabinoid system in the body. With the presence of cannabinoid receptors and naturally produced cannabinoids, a complete cannabinoid system—without the need for marijuana—operates in the human body and brain.

What does anandamide do?

There's still much to be learned about how anandamide works in the body. After all, it's part of one of the most complex systems in the human body. It's most famous for creating the heightened state of happiness many users report after smoking marijuana. But there's much more to it than that.

Anandamide acts on parts of the brain that affect memory, pain sensation, appetite, movement, and even motivation. It also has effects on the reproductive system, which means it affects fertility. It's essentially a neurotransmitter, and it's quickly broken down by bodily functions. That's why, even if it gets a person high, that high doesn't last forever.

Anandamide increases neurogenesis, which is the formation of new neurons, or new neuronal patterns. This function is why scientists say anandamide has anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects—which tells us a lot about happiness and why smokers love to smoke so much.

Anandamide, THC, and CBD – How do they interact?

When someone ingests marijuana, the psychoactive compound THC is essentially mimicking the work that anandamide would otherwise do.

The difference here is that THC has a longer lifespan in the body than anandamide, which we mentioned earlier as a rapid breakdown. For those whose bodies don't produce anandamide in large quantities, the presence of THC and its effective stimulation of its receptors could be a welcome change.

CBD, on the other hand, interacts with the body very differently. It has virtually no psychoactive effects, but instead encourages the natural function of the endocannabinoid system. It prevents the production of FAAH, an enzyme in the body that breaks down anandamide.

This means that with the introduction of CBD, anandamide has a longer lifespan in the body. It also means the body is encouraged to produce more of it. The result is a happier, less painful person who is better able to deal with inflammation.