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Woman holding her wrist due to joint pain

Answer:

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a naturally occurring compound that is produced in all tissues of the body, as needed, in response to cellular injury. It can also be found in extremely small amounts (0.0001 mg to 0.0067 mg per gram) in foods such as roasted coffee, soybean, peanuts, whole wheat flour, walnuts, corn, and eggs (Gugliandolo, Vet Sci 2020). PEA used in supplements is synthetically produced (Gunawan, J Phys Conf Ser 2019) and typically used at dosages of 300 to 1,200 mg per day.

Laboratory studies have shown that PEA can activate a certain cell receptor (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha or PPAR-alpha) that promotes anti-inflammatory effects. PEA can also activate and then desensitize a cellular channel called transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), resulting in a pain-relieving effect (Clayton, Int J Mol Sci 2021; Rankin, Int J Mol Sci 2020). Based on these effects, PEA is promoted for treating conditions marked by pain and inflammation, including joint pain, peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis (MS), low back pain/sciatica, glaucoma, and menstrual pain, as well as seasonal allergies, respiratory tract infections, post-COVID olfactory impairment, and conditions linked with brain and spinal cord inflammation, including Parkinson's disease, migraines, mood disorders, and tinnitus. While several preliminary studies have shown modest benefit of PEA for these conditions, all of these studies have all been short-term, and higher quality studies are needed to confirm the results.

Sign in as a member for details about studies that have been conducted with PEA and for information about PEA safety concerns and possible drug interactions, cost, formulations for increasing absorption of PEA, and our top choices among PEA supplements.

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45 Comments

Deborah22679
May 02, 2025

Can PEA help with migraines related to neck pain (from a car accident)?

ConsumerLab.com
June 13, 2025

We are not aware of research evaluating PEA specifically for migraines triggered by neck pain.

Lindy20609
September 06, 2024

Have you any information on Liposomal PEA

ConsumerLab.com
September 10, 2024

Please see the Product Comparisons section of our article for information about liposomal PEA formulations: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/palmitoylethanolamide-health-benefits-and-safety/pea/#comparisons

Harry20607
September 06, 2024

Rosmolo Liposomal PEA + Luteolin is a product I've been using for a couple of months. No low back pain reduction yet, but I'll give it a couple more months. I have no financial interest in Rosmolo or any other supplement company.

Alan20169
July 22, 2024

At 82 I have a serious case of spinal stenosis with disc compression. Without two steroid shots every four months, I could not even so a supermarket shop without stopping to sit own for ten minutes once or twice. After taking PEA for 6-8 weeks, I have no back pain except the usual morning arthritis. I used a product containing 1000 mg of PEA and 100 mg of luteolin every night. Amazing.

ConsumerLab.com
July 23, 2024

We're glad to hear that this combination seems to help you. Be aware that there does not appear to be clear evidence that PEA works for reducing back pain, and we are not aware of any clinical evidence that luteolin reduces back pain when taken alone or in combination with PEA.

Alan20772
October 03, 2024

I also take 400 mg if SAM- e in the morning, which helps but not nearly as much as PEA. I’m now using Mirica PEA but all seem to work. Seven months without steroid shots and I used to be in trouble after four.

T Allen
February 13, 2024

I've tried several kinds of PEA, including Nootropics and Myrica (original) is the only one that worked. I'd suggest starting with one bottle of Myrica (120 caps) and begin with a starting dose of 1- 600mg cap twice a day. At the end of the month you'll know if you are feeling any better. It takes 3-4 weeks to start seeing results. If you think it's working then you can order a different cheaper brand and start taking it. If it doesn't work you should within a week or so. Then you still have the Myrica to go back too. You can repeat this process as often as you want with different brands. I'm still taking the Mirica but at 1 cap a day before bed and using the rest of the other brand(s) I tried, that didn't work, or only worked if I took twice the dose of Mirica, in the am until gone. I've been using Mirica for close to 3 years to relieve peripheral neuropathy, headaches, general pain, etc from ME/CFS, MCAS, etc. It works.

Jeanne18716
February 13, 2024

Any concerns with serotonin syndrome if taken with Lexapro?

ConsumerLab.com
February 23, 2024
Roxy
January 05, 2024

I took PEA with luteolin, and found it did help with spinal pain, enabling me to wean off of NSAIDs. However, I developed the side effect of severe jaw clenching and grinding. I also have had this side effect with Paxil and Low Dose Naltrexone — I wonder why I react this way to such different substances. Anyway, I was so disappointed to have to stop taking PEA.

Jane21062
November 09, 2024

I can sympathize. I've had fibromyalgia pain for 20+ years. I sometimes can't believe how well PEA works for all-over body pain. I've been taking it close to a year. I tried a few different brands and the PEA plus Luteolin works the best for pain for me. However I'm sad to report my jaw moving strangely when I talk. I've stopped taking many of my supplements while I try to figure it out with more information.
Docs don't seem to know what's going on.

Samuel18230
December 24, 2023

I have hypothyroidism, non-Hashimoto's, and I took PEA for a couple weeks. I started to feel fatigued and listless in the early evening, just as I felt before starting Synthyroid a few years ago. I read an Amazon review of the PEA and noted another user claimed it messed her thyroid/TSH levels up. Please investigate this. Other users of Synthyroid should be aware that taking PEA might interfere with thyroid operation.

ConsumerLab.com
January 04, 2024

Thank you for sharing your experience. We are unaware of cases of thyroid dysfunction or interactions with Synthroid (levothyroxine) reported among people taking PEA, although some clinical trials evaluating PEA excluded patients with chronic conditions, including hypothyroidism or other thyroid disorders – so an interaction would not have been spotted. Laboratory research in rats found that PEA did not affect thyroid function: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7961647/.

Kim18228
December 23, 2023

Using PEA seemed to bring about an intense gout reaction. Did anyone else have this reaction? Why would this happen?

ConsumerLab.com
January 02, 2024

Thank you for sharing your experience. We are not aware of any published reports of gout flares caused by PEA supplementation.

Deborah18227
November 17, 2023

While I was glad to see this information on PEA, I would really like to have PEA products tested and analyzed by Consumer Lab. There are many PEA products on the market, so it is confusing trying to select reputable brands. Many are expensive. Wondering about Vitalitus PEA and also their Anandaplus product.

T Allen
November 08, 2023

I'm curious where you got your info on Mirica? Because what I've been taking, for several years now, and is on Amazon today does not contain Japanese knotweed but sunflower lecithin and the cost is .98/ 630mg.

ConsumerLab.com
November 08, 2023

The product we describe in our article is Mirica Advanced, which contains Japanese knotweed along with luteolin. The original Mirica does not contain Japanese knotweed, although it does also contain luteolin.

Glenn18220
November 07, 2023

Is there any topical version of PEA? I'd be interested in learning whether a topical version could be applied to skin irritations and osteoarthritis areas.

ConsumerLab.com
January 02, 2024

Several topical PEA creams are commercially available, but we are not aware of clinical studies evaluating these products or other topical PEA formulations for skin irritations or osteoarthritis in humans.

Stephen18216
October 31, 2023

@ConsumerLab.com which brand do you recommend for Low back pain/sciatica?

ConsumerLab.com
November 27, 2023

Please see the following section of our article for information about which brands may be a good choice based on label information and prices (Note: ConsumerLab has not yet tested PEA products): https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/palmitoylethanolamide-health-benefits-and-safety/pea/#comparisons

T Allen
October 31, 2023

Please review these PEA/luteolin supplements! I tried Gold Health and had to take 3 times the amount of Mirica for the same results. Same amounts on label. Thanks!

ConsumerLab.com
November 08, 2023

ConsumerLab has not yet tested PEA products at this time, but we have included some information about Mirca Advanced in the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/palmitoylethanolamide-health-benefits-and-safety/pea/#mirica-advanced

Dan18213
October 24, 2023

I am a pain physician in Australia. We routinely recommend a PEA trail for pretty much all chronic pain and neuropathic pain (for its effects to calm glial cells) due to its much more favourable side effect profile compated to standard therapies (Noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors and membrane stabilisers). Response can be slow, we recommend 2-3 months (usually at a daily dose of 1200-2400 mg/day) and anecdotally see regular benefits. I would say about 30-50% of people seem to get benefit and in about 5-10% it can be profound. I would love to see a product review of PEA formulations as our current standard recommendation is to buy compounded PEA from a compounding pharmacy as it is guaranteed to have been tested with a certificate of analysis to be dispensed as per Australian law. For convenience and probably cost it would be nice to have an idea of reputable brands to recommend to patients. Also any further updates on improved bioavailability compounds would also be good.

Elizabeth18796
February 22, 2024

I've been taking PEA since 2018 for chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy. It took about 3 weeks at 400mg/3 times a day to bring relief. Some days, I take more when my feet and hands are particularly troublesome. I consider it a godsend as I am unable to tolerate the usual prescriptions (gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, amytriptyline, etc.).

Courtney20466
August 23, 2024

Would PEA help with chronic pain associated with multiple sclerosis? I noticed in this article, it says PEA reduces neuroinflammation, so I tend to guess the answer is yes. I have MS, currently taking LDN for symptoms, and weaning off gabapentin, due to the side effects.

ConsumerLab.com
September 06, 2024

For details on the effects of PEA for multiple sclerosis, please refer to the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/palmitoylethanolamide-health-benefits-and-safety/pea/#ms

Mark18208
October 21, 2023

Starting taking PEA to treat my sciatica in my right thigh. It worked almost immediately and has had the added benefit of reducing the nerve inflammation. Have been taking it for about a month (400 mg, once datily in the morning), and it has been relatively consistent in it's pain relief and reduction of inflammation. Have not noticed any side effects so far. Would normally have been using ibuprofen but have concern about the side effects.

Jimmy18210
October 31, 2023

I was plagued with sciatica on my right side for 10 years. I tried everything. The only thing that finally cured it was a yoga pose called the "sleeping pigeon" Look it up on You Tube.

Helen18211
November 05, 2023

Which brand do you use?

Holly18719
February 13, 2024

Thank you for sharing the benefits you experienced with sciatica.

Mark19189
April 03, 2024

The PEA I used was from Amazon -- Harvest Naturals. It started working relatively quickly. I've had consistent sciatica inflammation for a year os so. I continue taking it since I have had several relapses previously before PEA usage. Great to get off of Ibuprofen.

Stan18206
October 12, 2023

Does Consumer Lab have any suggestions regarding supplements that might be beneficial for glaucoma and cataracts - OR other supplements that may worsen these conditions?

ConsumerLab.com
November 08, 2023

Information about supplements for cataracts can be found in our following article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/do-any-supplements-help-prevent-or-improve-cataracts/cataracts/, and information about supplements that may help prevent or worsen glaucoma can be found here: https://www.consumerlab.com/glaucoma/

Howard18202
October 06, 2023

Being a pain management physician I tried PEA myself and recommended it to numerous patients who were hesitant to take pain medication. PEA appears to definitely produce moderate pain reduction in most individuals, but it is very slow acting taking one to two months to show any benefit. PEA associated pain reduction is not enough to be that helpful for more severe pain. There were no reported side effects from the supplements use. Interestingly PEA appears to be associated with a reduction of intraoccular pressure and it may have some protective influence on optic nerve function so PEA may prove helpful in glaucoma.

Lida18203
November 07, 2023

Could you please indicate a brand that you recommend to your patients?

Howard18204
November 13, 2023

Naturally Factors or Nootropics Depot. I have had some patients also use Life Extension, but as it’s a chewable some don’t like the taste. Natural Factors and Life Extension appears to have the best 3rd party testing, but I agree that it would be helpful to have a review to confirm which brands are reliable. As noted response is slow taking 2-3 months for full effect to looking at Amazon reviews, etc. is not very helpful as most users think PEA works like ibuprofen with rapid pain relief.

DLynn18186
June 25, 2023

I have found this to be helpful for my allergies and OA in my knees. There is a dog version marketed for skin and allergy support, and it is beneficial about 1/2 the time in our patients.

Katherine18187
December 25, 2023

Im reading this because am interested in dog use. Do you have a brand? I am hesitant to try, and like to use human grade where possible...IF the formulation is the same.

Deron Dietrick
June 20, 2023

Thanks for sharing this information. Love you, BD

ConsumerLab.com
June 22, 2023

Thank you for your kind words! We're glad you found it helpful.

Daniel18180
June 20, 2023

What are the odds??! I was going to write in today to ask that CL review this product, and here it is... My question to CL and to other members: best product for the best price and purity...any information? Thanks

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