If you’re moving through perimenopause or menopause and feeling off—maybe anxious, foggy, inflamed, or just not quite yourself—you’re not imagining it. And you’re definitely not alone.
What you might not know is that your body produces a remarkable compound called anandamide—sometimes called the “bliss molecule.” It plays a huge role in helping us feel clear, calm, focused, and emotionally grounded. And for many of us in midlife, it's working overtime or running low… and we don’t even know it.
Let’s talk about what anandamide is, why it matters so much during the menopause transition, and how we can support it—naturally and powerfully.
1. What is Anandamide, Anyway?
Anandamide is one of your body’s own cannabinoids. Yep—your body makes its own cannabis-like compounds to help you regulate things like mood, memory, pain, and hormone signaling. It binds to receptors in your endocannabinoid system (ECS)—which I like to think of as your body’s internal balancing mechanism.
Its name comes from the Sanskrit word ananda, which means bliss. This molecule helps you feel emotionally resilient, mentally clear, and physically balanced.
But here’s the deal: estrogen helps regulate anandamide. So as estrogen begins to decline during perimenopause and postmenopause, anandamide production can drop too, leaving us more vulnerable to things like anxiety, low mood, brain fog, and even pain.¹
2. Anandamide and Brain Health: More Than Just a Mood Booster
Beyond helping us feel more emotionally steady in the moment, anandamide also supports long-term brain health. It plays a direct role in neurogenesis—the creation of new neurons—and helps shape the brain’s emotional and cognitive pathways over time.⁶ That means this isn’t just about feeling better today—it’s about helping your brain function better, think more clearly, and age more gracefully in the years ahead.
When we talk about becoming the CEO of our health in midlife, protecting our brain function has to be part of that mission.
3. What’s the Endocannabinoid System Got to Do With It?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a remarkable network that regulates so many of the things that go sideways during menopause:
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Mood and stress
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Sleep and circadian rhythm
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Pain perception and inflammation
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Cognitive function
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Hormone balance
When our hormones shift during midlife, it can dysregulate the ECS. That’s why supporting this system—especially through lifestyle and plant-based supplementation—can make such a big difference.²
4. How Do We Support Anandamide?
Thankfully, there are so many ways to support your body’s natural supply of this magical molecule. Here are a few of my favorites—grounded in both science and experience:
💪 Move your body. Aerobic exercise (walking, dancing, cycling) increases anandamide and boosts your mood almost immediately.
🧘 Breathe, rest, meditate. Mind-body practices have been shown to enhance ECS tone and reduce FAAH—the enzyme that breaks down anandamide.³
🍫 Nourish with purpose. Omega-3 fatty acids and dark chocolate contain compounds that support endocannabinoid balance. (Fun fact: black truffles—yes, the mushrooms—also contain anandamide, though you'd need a chef’s budget to get any real benefit!)⁷
🌿 Use targeted supplements. Here’s where cannabinoids like CBD and CBG shine. CBD in particular is known to inhibit FAAH, which means it helps preserve your natural anandamide longer—kind of like giving your body a head start.⁴
5. Why We Include CBD and CBG in CLEA’s Formulas
At CLEA, we formulate natural, chemical-free menopause supplements designed to work with your body. Our products include broad-spectrum cannabinoids like CBD and CBG—not just because they’re trendy, but because they’re backed by science.
CBD in particular helps slow the breakdown of anandamide, reducing anxiety and improving emotional stability.⁴ CBG may also support neuroprotection and mood, making it a great companion to CBD in midlife.⁵
We’re not here to patch over your symptoms—we’re here to help you reconnect to your body's innate wisdom and resilience.
6. The Takeaway: Anandamide Is Your Ally
Here’s what I want you to remember: your body is brilliant. You are already wired with the chemistry for balance, vitality, and joy. Anandamide is one of those natural tools—but it needs a little support during the menopause transition.
Supporting your endocannabinoid system and preserving anandamide isn’t just about easing symptoms. It’s about honoring this incredible, transformative time in your life. It’s about showing up clear, creative, calm, and confident—on your terms.
And that’s exactly what we’re here for.
📚 Works Cited
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Benito, C., et al. (2020). “Neuroactive Steroids and the Endocannabinoid System.” Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14, 331. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.00331
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Maccarrone, M., et al. (2014). “Endocannabinoid signaling at the periphery: 50 years after THC.” Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 25(3), 123–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2014.03.002
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Berridge, C. W., et al. (2016). “Mind–Body Therapies and the Endocannabinoid System.” Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1474. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01474
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Campos, A. C., et al. (2016). “The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Psychiatric Disorders.” Frontiers in Pharmacology, 7, 341. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2016.00341
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Andre, C. M., et al. (2021). “Cannabinoid pharmacology: The complex chemistry of cannabis.” Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 138, 112348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112348
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Hill, M. N., et al. (2010). “Endocannabinoids and the regulation of neural development and function.” Trends in Neurosciences, 33(7), 347–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2010.04.002
Bari, M., et al. (2010). “Presence and metabolism of anandamide and related acylethanolamides in truffles.” Phytochemistry, 71(10), 1106–1113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2010.04.008
