Anandamide, also known as arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA), is a highly potent endogenous agonist of the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are predominantly found in the central nervous system (CNS) where they mainly mediate the psychotropic effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and endocannabinoids, whereas the expression of the CB2 receptor is thought to be restricted to cells of the immune system. It was suggested that AEA might inhibit tumour cell proliferation or induce apoptosis independently of CB1 and CB2 receptors, via interaction with the type 1 vanilloid receptor (VR1). VR1 is an ion channel expressed almost exclusively by sensory neurons, activated by pH, noxious heat (> 48-degree centigrade), and plant toxins and is thought to play an important role in nociception. Cervical cancer cells are sensitive to AEA-induced apoptosis via VR1 that is aberrantly expressed in vitro and in vivo while CB1 and CB2 receptors play a protective role. Novel prostaglandins (prostaglandin glycerol esters and prostaglandin ethanolamides) are COX-2 oxidative metabolites of endogenous cannabinoids (such as anandamide). Recent evidence suggests that these new types of prostaglandins are likely novel signalling mediators involved in synaptic transmission and plasticity.