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Anandamide (ANA), also known as N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), is a fatty acid neurotransmitter. Anandamide was the first endocannabinoid to be discovered: it participates in the body's endocannabinoid system by binding to cannabinoid receptors, the same receptors that the psychoactive compound THC in cannabis acts on. Anandamide is found in nearly all tissues in a wide range of animals. Anandamide has also been found in plants, including small amounts in chocolate. The name 'anandamide' is taken from the Sanskrit word ananda, which means "joy, bliss, delight", plus amide.

Anandamide

Names
Preferred IUPAC name (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)icosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenamide
Other names N-arachidonoylethanolamine arachidonoylethanolamide
Identifiers
CAS Number	94421-68-8 N
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:2700 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL15848 Y
ChemSpider	4445241 Y
IUPHAR/BPS	2364
MeSH	Anandamide
PubChem CID	5281969
UNII	UR5G69TJKH Y
InChI InChI=1S/C22H37NO2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-22(25)23-20-21-24/h6-7,9-10,12-13,15-16,24H,2-5,8,11,14,17-21H2,1H3,(H,23,25)/b7-6-,10-9-,13-12-,16-15- Y Key: LGEQQWMQCRIYKG-DOFZRALJSA-N Y InChI=1/C22H37NO2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-22(25)23-20-21-24/h6-7,9-10,12-13,15-16,24H,2-5,8,11,14,17-21H2,1H3,(H,23,25)/b7-6-,10-9-,13-12-,16-15- Key: LGEQQWMQCRIYKG-DOFZRALJBA
SMILES O=C(NCCO)CCC\C=C/C\C=C/C\C=C/C\C=C/CCCCC CCCCC/C=C\C/C=C\C/C=C\C/C=C\CCCC(=O)NCCO
Properties
Chemical formula	C22H37NO2
Molar mass	347.53 g/mol
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Anandamide is derived from the non-oxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid, an essential omega-6 fatty acid. 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.