Pharmacological activity of the cannabinoid receptor agonist, anandamide, a brain constituent

Anandamide (arachidonylethanolamide) is a brain constituent which binds to the cannabinoid receptor. We now report the first in vivo examination of this ligand. Anandamide administered i.p. in mice, caused lowering of activity in an immobility and in an open field test, and produced hypothermia and analgesia. These effects parallel those caused by psychotropic cannabinoids.