Behaviors such as the
munchies,
fertility and where you left your car keys all relate to a messenger
molecule named anandamide. This molecule contributes to messages in the
brain regarding to pain, depression, appetite, memory and fertility. The
molecular structure of THC is very similar to anandamide. The
similarity allows it mimic functions that this messenger molecule does.
Anandamide breaks down very quickly not allowing humans to get to a
“natural high”. THC takes more time to break down giving a psycho-active
high.
Messenger cells like anandamide are like a “key” that
can attach to a nerve cell receptor acting like a “lock”. Once the
messenger cell find a good connection with a receptor it can attach and
open the nerve membrane to allow chloride ions to enter the cell. This
equalizes the charges inside and outside the cell and prevents the cell
from firing a charge. The “key” must be removed to allow the nerve cell
to work again. Enzymes work to break down the “key” messenger molecules
after a certain amount of time. The nerve cells will cease to work if
the messenger molecule remains
.(Source)
In 1992 an Israeli scientist Raphael Mechoulam was able isolate
anandamide as the “bliss” messenger cell that THC emulates. He was the
same scientist that isolated THC in 1964
.(Source)
 |
| How THC mimic's Anandamide |
Anandamide and Memory
Anandamide has been shown to create or destroy short term memory nerve
connections. In animal studies an increase in anandamide results in
forgetfulness.
(Source)
Anandamide helps to retain information like where you parked your car.
It allows you to forget things like what the women was wearing at the
checkout stand
.(Source)
A famous experiment known as the
Morris Water Maze
shows what happens to short term memory when anandamide is inhibited.
Mice are placed in a water test area with a platform so they can climb
out of the water. The platform is removed once the mice remember where
it was placed. The mice will naturally look for the platform and realize
it isn't there. They will then focus on surviving by swimming. Mice
with a drug to block the anandamide will perpetually continue to look
for the platform. They will forget that the platform isn't there.
(Source)
Anandamide and Fertility
Anandamide acts as a signaling when an embryo attaches to the female
uterus. In fact anandamide is at a higher concentration in the uterus
than the brain. Sperm contain receptors that accept the anandamide
molecule. It is theorized that disrupting the function of anandamide
therefore could interfere with fertility. More research is need to
further investigate the relation between fertility and drugs that act
like anadamide.
(Source)
Similar Sources to Anandamide
Chocolate has a similar structure to anandamide much like THC. Daniele
Piomelli studied this as a scientist at the Neuroscience Instititute in
San Diego. He found that chocolate has three compounds that mimic
anandamide. Chocolate and THC behave differently as a messenger.
Piomelli states, “The response to THC and to the chocolate anandamides
are not at all the same, even if the concentrations could be made
comparable.” Chocolate may create a blissful feeling while not giving a
high.
(Source)
Recently Piomelli found a naturally occurring molecule in the body that
mimics anandamide. Sn-2 arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) can lock into the
same bliss receptors. It is unique in that it works at 170 times the
concentration of anandamide. The 2-AG molecules are found in different
parts of the brain. Piomelli theorizes that the functions of anandamide
and 2-AG are complementary.
(Source)
Source:
http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/features/anandamide.shtml
http://thesilvertour.org/cannabis-professor-raphael-mechoulam-discovery-thc-1964-anandamide-1992
http://www.marijuanalibrary.org/981217.html#nfo
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21684528
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091305799001069
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v388/n6644/full/388773a0.html
https://www.exploratorium.edu/exploring/exploring_chocolate/choc_8.html
