Palmitoylethanolamide (short for PEA) is a lipid-like endocannabinoid mediator that is often overlooked in discussions of inflammation, pain regulation, and mast cell activation. Individuals who experience chronic symptoms such as widespread discomfort, brain fog, insomnia, and many others often have two key correlating biological factors: (1) activation of “sensitivity-triggering” mast cells and (2) activation of cells that regulate our brain (called microglia). Large bodies of research suggest that both of these occurrences are common and often activate simultaneously; however, until recently, many researchers weren’t exactly sure what triggered these responses.
New studies are beginning to paint a clearer picture of why — during times of stress and chronic inflammation, certain cells in our body produce a “superhero molecule” (called PEA) that immediately comes to the rescue. The missing link that scientists now understand is that both mast and microglial cells are major producers of PEA, meaning that during times of chronic inflammation, PEA production is severely hindered – this means that these cells stay activated, even though they are unable to produce any PEA, leading to increased levels of stress. The good news is that in as little as two to three months, many individuals can experience significant relief by supplementing with a quality form of PEA. After the three month mark, improvements continue to compound, and eventually, most patients can wean off their supplements since the body will begin producing adequate amounts of PEA on its own. Certain individuals who fit a “low PEA profile” are likely to be suffering from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, IBS, Lyme disease, and many others.
PEA’s lack of success in managing chronic pain and inflammation in the past was likely due to its inability to be readily absorbed in the GI tract (a common concern with many supplements) – however, companies like Euromedica have recently developed all-natural targeted absorption agents that have finally allowed people to supplement with PEA in a way where adequate absorption levels can be recorded through blood serum measurements. Since PEA is a naturally-occurring molecule, our bodies are readily able to both process and secrete this compound without any added stress on the liver or kidneys, making this an excellent alternative to traditional pain or immunosuppressant medications. Additionally, studies have recently shown that PEA functions in a variety of unique biological pathways in the body, such as the PPAR pathways and endocannabinoid systems, where traditional medicine often has little to no effective medications for. Many scientists believe that PEA is produced in the body as a protective response to cellular injury – common effects include analgesic, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective activities. PEA’s widespread and multi-faceted effects are largely due to its unique and targeted mechanisms of action that also helps with leaky gut, viruses, and bacteria. Additionally, its neuroprotective effects are due to its ability to modify microglia and astrocyte activation – and, as an added bonus, it can help regulate mood in many individuals. PEA also dramatically decreases discomfort through over a dozen targeted mechanisms, including addressing central sensitization. This means that it can function as a viable alternative for those who can’t use a common pain medication called LDN (low-dose naltrexone), but can be synergetic with LDN if patients wish to use them together.
Here at Bespoke Wellness, we recommend supplementing with Euromedica’s PEA (as referenced earlier), which includes the targeted “Gammsorb” product for adequate absorption levels – the link to purchase this product can be found here:
Here is a suggested dosing schedule:
1- Start with PEA 600 mg twice a day in chronic discomfort, give it a
month, and then increase to 1200 mg twice a day for 2 months, for a fair
therapeutic trial.
2- Most often, we start to see pain relief begin at three weeks using this
higher dosing schedule.
Do not hesitate to experiment with this product if you are suffering with any chronic pain or inflammation conditions – we are always here to help if you have any questions: bradenkelleynd@bespokenaturalwellness.com or text/call (616)-379-9035 during our business hours.
This blog post was referenced from another article titled “PEA – A pain, brain, and MCAS superhero molecule” by pain, sleep, and inflammation expert Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.
