Anandamide (N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine, AEA) was the first endogenous ligand of
cannabinoid receptors to be discovered. Yet, since early studies, AEA appeared to exhibit
also some effects that were not mediated by cannabinoid CB1 or CB2 receptors. Indeed,
AEA exerts some behavioral actions also in mice with genetically disrupted CB1 receptors,
whereas in vitro it is usually a partial agonist at these receptors and a weak activator of CB2
receptors. Nevertheless, several pharmacological effects of AEA are mediated by CB1 …