Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a molecule that has been studied extensively in recent years. This natural compound is produced by our body and has been shown to have beneficial effects on chronic pain, inflammation, and epilepsy. The PEA molecule can be used as a potent analgesic drug for the treatment of chronic pain conditions like arthritis, neuropathic pain from diabetic peripheral neuropathy, or post-herpetic neuralgia. In this blog post, we will discuss what Palmitoylethanolamide does and how it works.
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In this blog post, we will discuss what Palmitoylethanolamide does and how it works.
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous fatty acid amide with neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive (pain relief), and anti-convulsant properties.
Palmitoylethanolamide vs anandamide
Both Palmitoylethanolamide pea powder and anandamide are endogenous fatty acid amides. PEA is more stable than anandamide in the presence of oxygen and light, so it’s capable of withstanding degradation by enzymes from the body during digestion that would normally break down a molecule into individual amino acids.
The benefits of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) as a pain relief medication are due to its ability to inhibit release of proinflammatory cytokines which then prevent nociceptors’ activation and sensitization;
Palmitoylethanolamide food sources
Some natural sources are found to contain Palmitoylethanolamide, such as beef, small quantities in butter and cheese;
Some of the most popular food sources containing Palmitoylethanolamide are eggs, soybeans and common vegetables like spinach.
Palmitoylethanolamide safety status
In some European countries, palmitoylethanolamide is commercially advertised as dietary food for special medical purposes.
Palmitoylethanolamide is safe for humans but it may not be suitable for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Some people who are allergic to eggs should avoid Palmitoylethanolamide products that come from chickens’ eggs, as they contain egg whites with the enzyme lysozyme and could trigger an allergic reaction. The most common side effects of PEA supplementation include headache, gastrointestinal distress, drowsiness, chills and restlessness; these symptoms usually resolve within a few days after discontinuing treatment.
clinical studies on Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
The first clinical study on Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) was conducted in 1974 and investigated the effects of the molecule on inflammation, pain perception, and fever response.
The second PEA trial conducted on 60 patients with acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis. This study showed that orally administered PEA is both safe to use for a week-long period at dosages up to 500mg/day as well as effective in reducing stiffness, improving sleep quality, decreasing morning stiffness duration by 68%, increasing grip strength by 27% after one month of treatment compared to placebo treatments.
How does Palmitoylethanolamide work?
The mechanism of action of PEA is not fully understood but the following are some of its proposed mechanisms:
– Inhibiting overactive immune cells in order to prevent chronic inflammation and pain.
– Protecting neurons from excitotoxicity or cell death caused by glutamate toxicity which is one potential cause for neuropathic pain.
– Acting as a powerful anti-convulsant agent against seizures.
PEA also acts on different receptors, depending on where it binds; these include opioid, cannabinoid (CB), TRPV type I, serotoninergic, vanilloid and adenosinergic receptors. The mechanism of action through CB receptor activation could be an explanation for PEA’s potent analgesic potency after oral administration without any adverse effects.
FAQ
Is Palmitoylethanolamide is a cannabinoid?
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endo-cannabinoid like CBD in the sense that it binds to the same receptors as other cannabinoids. However, PEA does not produce any psychoactive effects because it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier in sufficient concentrations like THC or CBD.
Is Palmitoylethanolamide a pain reliever?
Palmitoylethanolamide is an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent which can help relieve chronic inflammation leading to less pain over time. In addition, this natural compound has been shown to be effective for relief of acute (short term) postoperative pain compared with morphine sulfate in patients undergoing elective open abdominal surgery and also provides long lasting analgesia against inflammatory hyperalgesia after spinal cord injury without adverse systemic side effects such as respiratory depression.
Is Palmitoylethanolamide a good alternative to CBD? what’s the advantages?
Palmitoylethanolamide has many of the same benefits as CBD but it is more potent and can be taken less frequently so you save money. It also helps with pain that isn’t caused by inflammatory conditions which makes it a good alternative for those who want to avoid chronic or neuropathic pain from inflammation.
is Palmitoylethanolamide good for sleep? Some studies show that PEA can promote sleep and reduce wake time after periods of REM.
Palmitoylethanolamide is a healthy addition to your diet if you want to improve the quality of your sleep while also reducing pain. It has been shown in studies that PEA can increase deep sleep by up to 30%.
The research on Palmitoylethanolamide for anxiety disorders suggests it may be helpful as part of an integrative approach when combined with other therapies such as CBT or mindfulness practices.
What is Palmitoylethanolamide topical cream used for?
PEA is gaining traction as a topical cream to treat muscle pain, joint aches and arthritis. Some studies show PEA has the ability to penetrate into damaged tissues where it can have systemic effects on inflammation rather than just acting locally at the site of injury or irritation.