The "happiness molecule" in the brain
Endogenous cannabinoids (anandamide & 2-AG)
The human body produces its own cannabinoids.
While the cannabis plant produces phytocannabinoids (such as THC and CBD), our own bodies produce endocannabinoids. The two most important ones are:
1. Anandamide (The “happiness molecule”) Named after the Sanskrit word for bliss (“ananda”), this molecule regulates feelings of happiness, anxiety, and even the so-called “runner’s high” experienced after exercise.
2. 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol) This is the system’s true “workhorse.” It plays a key role in regulating appetite, immune system function, and pain regulation.
How they work: Imagine nerve cells as busy intersections. Sometimes the signals become too strong or too “loud” (e.g., in cases of chronic pain, anxiety, or inflammation). In this scenario, endocannabinoids act like traffic cops: they travel backward across the synaptic cleft (the gap between nerves) to tell the sending nerve cell to “calm down.”
It’s a brilliant feedback loop designed to keep you calm and balanced. But what happens when we introduce cannabinoids like THC or CBD from outside sources?
We'll explain that in next week's summary.
Source / Further reading:
Harvard Health: The Runner’s High and the Endocannabinoid System – https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115200