endocannabinoid

noun

en·​do·​can·​na·​bi·​noid ˌen-dō- kə-ˈna-bə-ˌnȯid How to pronounce endocannabinoid (audio)
-ˈka-nə-bə-ˌnȯid
plural endocannabinoids
: any of several chemical compounds (such as anandamide) that are naturally produced within the body and bind to the same brain receptors as compounds (such as THC) derived from cannabis : cannabinoid sense 2a
In other studies, endocannabinoid levels have been shown to increase after prolonged running and cycling, leading many scientists to conclude that endocannabinoids help to create runner's high.Gretchen Reynolds

Examples of endocannabinoid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The cannabinoids in cannabis, especially THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates sleep and mood. Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 17 Dec. 2024 Each of these variants interacts differently with your body’s endocannabinoid system, meaning each will affect you differently. Lydia Kariuki, The Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2024 The neural communication network that uses these cannabinoid neurotransmitters, known as the endocannabinoid system, plays a critical role in the nervous system’s normal functioning. Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024 Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system in intricate ways, influencing a variety of physiological processes. Calvin Rasode, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for endocannabinoid 

Word History

First Known Use

1997, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of endocannabinoid was in 1997

Dictionary Entries Near endocannabinoid

Cite this Entry

“Endocannabinoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endocannabinoid. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

endocannabinoid

noun
en·​do·​can·​na·​bi·​noid
ˌen-dō-ˈkan-ə-bə-ˌnȯid,
-kə-ˈnab-ə- How to pronounce endocannabinoid (audio)
: any of several chemical compounds (as anandamide) that are naturally produced within the body and bind to the same brain receptors as compounds (as THC) derived from cannabis : cannabinoid sense 2a
In other studies, endocannabinoid levels have been shown to increase after prolonged running and cycling, leading many scientists to conclude that endocannabinoids help to create runner's high.Gretchen Reynolds
Scientists have come to recognize that endocannabinoids interact with a specific neurological network—much the way that endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine do.Hampton Sides
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