Recent research emphasizes how two of these chemicals (OEA and PEA) exert subtle anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects through a receptor called PPAR-alpha. PPAR-alpha regulates gene expression.

Many plant cannabinoids – including CBD and THCA – activate the related protein, PPAR-gamma. OEA and PEA are chemically very similar to anandamide and all three are primarily broken down by the same enzyme, FAAH. The medical effects of FAAH inhibitors are probably due, in large part, to the elevation of these endogenous entourage chemicals.

Read study: Oleoylethanolamide alleviates macrophage formation via AMPK/PPARα/STAT3 pathway

Adrian Devitt-Lee is a research scientist and longtime Project CBD contributor. © Copyright, Project CBD. May not be reprinted without permission.

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