“Anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, referred to as endocannabinoids (eCBs), are the endogenous agonists for the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1). Several pieces of evidence support a role for eCBs in the attenuation of anxiety-related behaviours, although the precise mechanism has remained uncertain…
The fatty acid amid hydrolase (FAAH), an enzyme responsible for the degradation of eCBs, has emerged as a promising target for anxiety-related disorders, since FAAH inhibitors are able to increase the levels of anandamide and thereby induce anxiolytic-like effects…
The present work provides genetic and pharmacological evidence supporting the inhibition of FAAH as an important mechanism for the alleviation of anxiety.
In addition, it indicates an increased activation of CB1 receptors as a mechanism underlying the effects of FAAH inhibition in two models of anxiety.”