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Oleamide
cis-9,10-octadecenoamide
A naturally occurring fatty acid amide found in the cerebrospinal fluid of sleep-deprived animals —
Oleamide is one of the body's own endogenous sleep-promoting molecules. Structurally similar to
the endocannabinoid system compounds, Oleamide accumulates in the brain during sleep deprivation
and triggers sleep through multiple receptor systems including cannabinoid, serotonin, and GABA pathways.
What Is It?
Oleamide (cis-9-octadecenamide) is a naturally occurring lipid compound — the amide form of oleic acid
(the primary fatty acid in olive oil). It was first identified in 1995 by Nobel Prize-winning researchers at The Scripps Research Institute who found it accumulating in the cerebrospinal fluid of sleep-deprived
cats — and demonstrated that injecting it into normal cats induced immediate sleep.
This discovery established Oleamide as an endogenous sleep-promoting molecule — a compound the body
actually produces to signal the need for sleep. It is structurally related to the endocannabinoid anandamide (often called the "bliss molecule") and interacts with many of the same receptor systems.
(the primary fatty acid in olive oil). It was first identified in 1995 by Nobel Prize-winning researchers at The Scripps Research Institute who found it accumulating in the cerebrospinal fluid of sleep-deprived
cats — and demonstrated that injecting it into normal cats induced immediate sleep.
This discovery established Oleamide as an endogenous sleep-promoting molecule — a compound the body
actually produces to signal the need for sleep. It is structurally related to the endocannabinoid anandamide (often called the "bliss molecule") and interacts with many of the same receptor systems.
How It Works
Oleamide promotes sleep and relaxation through multiple receptor systems:
- Cannabinoid Receptor Activation — Oleamide acts as a partial agonist at CB1 cannabinoid receptors,
producing relaxing and sleep-promoting effects similar to endocannabinoids but without psychoactive effects
- GABA-A Receptor Potentiation — enhances the activity of GABA-A receptors — the brain's primary
inhibitory receptors — amplifying the calming effects of natural GABA in the formula
- Serotonin Receptor Modulation — interacts with 5-HT receptors, potentially contributing to mood-stabilizing and sleep-promoting effects
- Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) Inhibition — inhibits the enzyme that breaks down sleep-promoting endocannabinoids, extending their activity in the brain
- Temperature Regulation — may contribute to the core body temperature lowering that facilitates sleep onset
- Cannabinoid Receptor Activation — Oleamide acts as a partial agonist at CB1 cannabinoid receptors,
producing relaxing and sleep-promoting effects similar to endocannabinoids but without psychoactive effects
- GABA-A Receptor Potentiation — enhances the activity of GABA-A receptors — the brain's primary
inhibitory receptors — amplifying the calming effects of natural GABA in the formula
- Serotonin Receptor Modulation — interacts with 5-HT receptors, potentially contributing to mood-stabilizing and sleep-promoting effects
- Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) Inhibition — inhibits the enzyme that breaks down sleep-promoting endocannabinoids, extending their activity in the brain
- Temperature Regulation — may contribute to the core body temperature lowering that facilitates sleep onset
Side Effects & Considerations
Oleamide is a relatively novel supplement ingredient with limited but generally positive human safety data:
- Generally well tolerated in available research
- May cause drowsiness — take only at bedtime, do not drive afterward
- May enhance effects of cannabinoids — use caution if using cannabis products
- May enhance effects of sedative medications
- Avoid combining with alcohol
- Limited long-term human safety data — generally considered safe at dietary amounts
- Not recommended during pregnancy or nursing
- Consult your healthcare provider if on any medications
- As a relatively newer supplement ingredient, follow manufacturer dosing guidelines carefully
- Generally well tolerated in available research
- May cause drowsiness — take only at bedtime, do not drive afterward
- May enhance effects of cannabinoids — use caution if using cannabis products
- May enhance effects of sedative medications
- Avoid combining with alcohol
- Limited long-term human safety data — generally considered safe at dietary amounts
- Not recommended during pregnancy or nursing
- Consult your healthcare provider if on any medications
- As a relatively newer supplement ingredient, follow manufacturer dosing guidelines carefully
Typical Dosage Range
100mg – 400mg daily
Oleamide is a specialized sleep ingredient with dosing typically in the 100-400mg range taken at bedtime.
Take 30-60 minutes before bedtime and do not exceed recommended servings.
As part of the REMedy comprehensive sleep blend, Oleamide contributes its unique endocannabinoid-pathway sleep promotion to complement the GABA, Glycine, Valerian, and Melatonin in the formula —
creating one of the most mechanistically diverse sleep formulas available.
Research Notes
- Cravatt et al. (1995) — Landmark study published in Science identified Oleamide as an endogenous
sleep-inducing lipid — accumulating in the cerebrospinal fluid of sleep-deprived animals and inducing
physiological sleep when administered — establishing it as one of the body's own sleep signals.
- Lerner et al. (1994) — Research published in PNAS established Oleamide's structural relationship to
endocannabinoids and its receptor pharmacology as a CB1 partial agonist.
- Boger et al. (1998) — Published in PNAS, demonstrated Oleamide's potentiation of GABA-A receptor function — establishing its GABAergic mechanism alongside cannabinoid activity.
- Huidobro-Toro & Harris (1996) — Research in PNAS confirmed Oleamide's serotonergic activity through 5-HT2A receptor modulation — completing its multi-receptor sleep-promoting profile.
sleep-inducing lipid — accumulating in the cerebrospinal fluid of sleep-deprived animals and inducing
physiological sleep when administered — establishing it as one of the body's own sleep signals.
- Lerner et al. (1994) — Research published in PNAS established Oleamide's structural relationship to
endocannabinoids and its receptor pharmacology as a CB1 partial agonist.
- Boger et al. (1998) — Published in PNAS, demonstrated Oleamide's potentiation of GABA-A receptor function — establishing its GABAergic mechanism alongside cannabinoid activity.
- Huidobro-Toro & Harris (1996) — Research in PNAS confirmed Oleamide's serotonergic activity through 5-HT2A receptor modulation — completing its multi-receptor sleep-promoting profile.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.