Docosatetraenoylethanolamide (DEA) (Adrenoyl-ethanolamide) (Adrenoyl-EA) is an

endogenous Endogeny, in biology, refers to the property of originating or developing from within an organism, tissue, or cell. For example, ''endogenous substances'', and ''endogenous processes'' are those that originate within a living system (e.g. an ...

ethanolamide that has been shown to act on the cannabinoid (CB₁) receptor. DEA is similar in structure to anandamide (AEA, a recognized endogenous ligand for the CB₁ receptor), containing docosatetraenoic acid in place of

arachidonic acid Arachidonic acid (AA, sometimes ARA) is a polyunsaturated omega−6 fatty acid 20:4(ω−6), or 20:4(5,8,11,14). It is a precursor in the formation of leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and thromboxanes. Together with omega−3 fatty acids an ...

. While DEA has been shown to bind to the CB₁ receptor with similar potency and efficacy as AEA, its role as a cannabinergic neurotransmitter is not well understood. Docosatetraenoylethanolamide (DEA) has been found in

Tropaeolum tuberosum ''Tropaeolum tuberosum'' (mashua, see below for other names) is a species of flowering plant in the family Tropaeolaceae, grown in the Andes, particularly in Peru and Bolivia, and to a lesser extent in Ecuador as well as in some areas of Colombi ...

(Mashua) and Leonotis leonurus (Wild Dagga / Lion's Tail).

References

Fatty acid amides Endocannabinoids Neurotransmitters {{Biochemistry-stub