Chronic pain recurrences can make it difficult to focus on other things until the pain subsides. Over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers may seem like an easy solution. However, both side effects are well known and can be devastating. Fortunately, a recent study identified a compound known as palmitoylethanolamide (PEA for short) as a powerful natural pain reliever. Read on to find out what it is and how it can help.
Why You Should Consider Natural Remedies Like PEA
Neck pain, chronic back pain, knee pain, and more, more than 20% of American adults suffer from: chronic pain On a daily basis.
and more 30 million People reach for NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug Take medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen daily. The problem: These drugs can cause nasty health problems, including: nausea, heartburn, gastrointestinal upset. For regular use, Long-term care history make clear NSAIDs It may increase the risk of peptic ulcer, kidney damage and stroke.
Prescription drugs are not very effective.opioids, etc. hydrocodone, sometimes prescribed for severe pain, but can become addictive. Additionally, it can cause side effects such as insomnia, headaches, constipation, dry mouth, and chest pain.
Good news. Experts say the natural compound palmitoylethanolamide may reduce or eliminate chronic pain in many patients.
What is palmitoylethanolamide?
“Palmitoylethanolamide is a relatively large organic molecule produced by the body,” explains. Dr. Connor Brenna, a clinical research fellow at the University of Toronto’s Perioperative Brain Health Center. Dr. Brenna studied the compound’s ability to fight chronic pain.
“PEA is part of a complex metabolic orchestra that plays inside our cells,” says Dr. Brenna, a clinical investigator program resident in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. “But it also seems to have other microscopic roles, as a cell phone-like signaling molecule and possibly as an anti-inflammatory agent like aspirin,” he added.
In other words, PEA is one of many compounds produced by the body to keep things running smoothly. But what many experts are talking about is its natural analgesic properties.
How does palmitoylethanolamide relieve pain?
“The mechanisms that treat chronic pain are still enigmatic,” admits Dr. Brenna.
Some researchers suspect that it works similarly to other known pain relievers. In other words, it interacts with pain receptors to relieve pain. inflammation Or calm overactive immune cells.
At this stage of research, scientists are more focused on determining whether it really works than why it works, Dr. Brenna said. And the results seem to point to yes.
What benefits can you expect?
in a study CNS Neurological Disorders — Drug Targets We found that palmitoylethanolamide has two important advantages. When supplemented with 600mg. When taking palmitoylethanolamide daily, 88% reported being able to: move around comfortably.
Additionally, 82% of those who took PEA as part of the study reported a 50% or greater reduction in pain severity over 3 weeks. These results are comparable to over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers.
More proof that it works: a review of nutrients In a study done by Dr. Brenna and other researchers, palmitoylethanolamide Effective and well-tolerated treatment for chronic pain. It significantly outperformed ibuprofen in one study. And it did so without the side effects of OTC and prescription drugs.
Is palmitoylethanolamide available in food?
Palmitoylethanolamide is produced naturally by many plants and animals, and you’re probably already ingesting it. “PEA is found in foods such as soy lecithin, beans, egg yolks, peanuts, alfalfa, and milk,” Dr. Brenna says.
However, studies on palmitoylethanolamide for pain management used doses much higher than those found in food. “The studies we found applied a wide range of doses, from 150 to 600 mg, once or twice a day,” Dr. Brenna added.
“Reproducing these doses without supplementation would require a pound of soy lecithin or 100,000 peanuts daily, which would likely cause other problems,” points out Dr. Brenna.
How much PEA in supplement form should I take for pain relief?
To enjoy the research-proven benefits, aim for a daily dose that falls within the research-proven range of 150-600 mg. Dr. Brenna added that even lower doses may work for chronic pain, so you can start with a lower dose and work your way up to a higher dose if needed. Try: Nootropics Depot Palmitoylethanolamide Capsules (Buy from Amazon, $33.99). Taking one 400 mg capsule daily costs him about $2 a day.
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your doctor before proceeding with any treatment plan.
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