Anandamide, also known as arachidonylethanolamine, is a naturally occurring endogenous cannabinoid chemical compound found in the brains of mammals. The name is taken from the Sanskrit word ananda, which means "bliss".

Anandamide's effects can be either central, in the brain, or peripheral, in other parts of the body.

The tetrahydrocannabinol cannabinoid receptor that it binds to is one member of the largest known family of receptors, the G-protein-coupled receptors, which have a distinctive pattern in which the receptor molecule spans the cell membrane seven times over.

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) is known to be the active ingredient in marijuana, and is also found in minute quantities in the cacao bean, and ultimately chocolate.

Studies are under way to understand what role anandamide plays in human behavior, such as eating and sleep patterns, and the part it plays in pain relief.