Are there any anandamide supplements out there? It’s already known that using weed leads to blissful feelings. Studies reveal that THC and CBD bind to cannabinoid receptors, specifically the CB1 and CB2 receptors leading to psychological and physiological outcomes. The CB1 and CB2 receptors make up the body’s endocannabinoid system, aka the ECS.
The ECS is a system of endocannabinoid receptors and corresponding neurotransmitters that regulate behaviors such as appetite, sleep, mood, pain perception, walking, and memory. When THC and CBD bind onto CB1 and CB2 receptors, they lead to a surge in anandamide and serotonin, collectively known as ‘happy hormones.’ But using weed is not the only way to increase anandamide levels; there are other ways, and herein we take a look.
What is anandamide, and why do you need it?
Anandamide is a neurotransmitter of the ECS. This brain chemical is also known as the ‘bliss molecule’ because it leads to happiness feelings. Anandamide also affects your mental wellness and overall health in various ways such as:
- It’s crucial in the implantation of the embryo in the early stages of pregnancy.
- It makes eating feel pleasurable.
- Leads to a better mood
- Relieves headaches and depression
- Stimulates brain’s reward centers
- Boost exercise performance
- Inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation
Doctors also suspect that an endocannabinoid’s low levels could be the primary cause of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Anandamide is also found in the liver, pancreas, spleen, skin, reproductive organs, and several other body regions. Anandamide is produced from arachidonic acid and gets its name from ‘ananda,’ the Sanskrit word for pleasure, joy, happiness, and delight.
The body synthesizes the chemical from N-arachidonyl phosphatidylethanolamine in multiple ways. The body converts the fatty acid into arachidonic acid and ethanolamine.
Anandamide in the body is degraded with the help of the fatty acid molecule hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme. Consequently, inhibiting the FAAH enzyme leads to a surge in anandamide levels. Doctors are looking into FAAH inhibitors as therapy for cognitive dysfunction, drug addiction, anxiety issues, and traumatic stress.
There’s also a gene variant that increases anandamide. It’s why certain parts of the world are known for higher happiness rates than others.
Anandamide supplements introduction
At present, there is no finished anandamide supplements in the nutrition market. Even the so-called Sun Potion anandamide powder is just a blend of cocoa and other herbs to give your brain a boost, but it’s not a standardized anandamide extract powder. However, if your anandamide levels are getting low, there are still foods, spices, and herb extracts you can use to increase your anandamide levels directly or indirectly.
Supplements that can increase anandamide directly
Some dietary foods contain anandamide and other substances such as N-linoleoylethanolamine and N-oleoylethanolamine that mimic the properties of anandamide. These include:
Chocolate
Chocolate is the primary food source of the ‘bliss molecule.’ It may be the reason it’s one of the most popular foods. It contains more than 1,500 biochemicals, and these include anandamide and N-linoleoylethanolamine, N-oleoylethanolamine, caffeine, and theobromine which boost one’s mood. And what is more, is the anandamide in chocolate doesn’t degrade easily.
Experts recommend getting the least processed chocolate like cacao nibs or cocoyam powder for maximum anandamide levels boost.
Black truffles
Second, only to chocolate in their anandamide levels, black truffles are mushrooms that grow in Spain, Italy, and France under oaks and deciduous trees. And coincidentally, they have a chocolaty taste.
Truffle hunting is big in Spain, Italy, and France forests. People use pigs or dogs to seek out deeply buried truffle beds; the latter is preferred because it does less damage. Truffles are rare and thus don’t sell cheap; an ounce costs between $100-$170.
Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) supplement
OEA is a naturally occurring lipid in the body. It regulates body weight and feeding. It acts just like anandamide but independent of the ECS. Studies also show OEA could reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
Black pepper supplement
Both black pepper and Indian long pepper contain a substance called Guineensine that boosts anandamide activity. Eat more foods containing black pepper for maximum anandamide benefits.
Echinacea root extract
Echinacea herb extract is another good source of anandamide. It can be found in drug stores as an over-the-counter supplement. It contains anandamide which helps with inflammation, anxiety, depression and also relieves respiratory ailments.
Arachidonic acid food sources
Apart from kitchen spices and beverages, you can take foods rich in polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acids. Here are the primary food sources of arachidonic acid:
- Meat
- Dairy
- Eggs
Supplements that increase anandamide indirectly
Some substances increase anandamide indirectly by binding inhibiting FAAH. These include:
CBD supplement
CBD is short for Cannabidiol. It is one of the cannabinoids in cannabis and interacts with the body ECS leading to insensitivity to pain and other outcomes. Studies also show that CBD Increases anandamide levels by preventing its reuptake and breakdown by FAAH.
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) supplement
PEA is a lipid with antiinflammatory and analgesic effects too. PEA has also been revealed to increase anandamide levels by inhibiting the inactivation of the molecule. It occurs naturally in the body, but if your stores are running out, taking PEA supplements could give you a boost and increase anandamide levels too. This property is known as entourage effects. PEA is isolated from egg yolk, soybean, peanut meal, and lecithin.
Kaempferol supplement
Kaempferol is a flavonoid found in fruits such as apples, peaches, blackberries, grapes, and vegetables such as broccoli, cucumbers, squash, potatoes, tomatoes spinach. Kaempferol increases anandamide levels by inhibiting the action of the FAAH enzyme. You can also get it from green tea.
Turmeric supplement
Turmeric is another kitchen spice for use against depression. It contains curcumin, which studies have revealed to increase anandamide levels in various brain regions.
Maca root supplement
Maca is an herb native to the Peru region of South America. Its fleshy hypocotyl is harvested, dried, and processed to powder or sold as a root vegetable. Maca contains Macamides, which are analogous to anandamide and protect neurons from degeneration. Macamides also block the effects of FAAH, leading to a surge in anandamide levels.
Wrap up
Are you running low on the bliss molecule? Our bulk anandamide powder with a combination of anandamide-boosting extracts and FAAH inhibiting compounds will give you a boost for powerful performance, improved mood, reduced anxiety and depression. Get it here and find out for yourself.