I have been writing about the supplement known as P.E.A. (Palmitoylethanolamide), a naturally occurring substance produced by the body that plays an important role in helping regulate pain and inflammation.

As discussed in previous articles, P.E.A. is a fatty acid amide molecule that works at a cellular level to help calm inflammation and support the body's natural pain-control mechanisms. Research has shown that P.E.A. possesses anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, neuroprotective and anticonvulsant properties, making it a valuable option for a range of chronic health conditions.

Because of these properties, P.E.A. has been used to support people suffering from arthritis, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back pain, neuralgia and many other painful conditions. Since first introducing P.E.A. to customers, the feedback has been remarkable. Almost every day, people share stories of improved comfort and mobility, often after years of chronic pain.

One customer's experience particularly stands out. She had suffered from chronic migraines for more than 30 years. Over time, the migraines became so severe that she experienced them almost constantly, day and night. She had tried virtually everything available, including chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture, dietary changes, supplements, pharmaceuticals, specialists and naturopaths. Despite all these efforts, the migraines remained a daily struggle.

Eighteen months ago, she began taking P.E.A. To her surprise, she noticed improvements within days. The intensity of her migraines reduced, and over time she was able to reduce some of her medications under medical supervision. Today, she says that of all the treatments she has tried, P.E.A. has made the biggest difference and has given her a quality of life she thought she had lost.

While personal stories are encouraging, scientific research has also investigated P.E.A.'s potential benefits for migraine sufferers.

A pilot study involving 50 adults with episodic migraine found that taking 600 mg of P.E.A. twice daily for three months significantly reduced migraine frequency and medication use. Migraine days decreased by nearly 50% and 71% of participants reported reduced migraine intensity ⁽¹⁾.

Another study involving adults with migraine with aura found that those taking 1,200 mg of P.E.A. alongside conventional treatment experienced significant reductions in both migraine frequency and pain severity, and lowering NSAID use over a 90-day period ⁽²⁾.

Research has also shown promising results in children and adolescents. A study involving children aged 5 to 17 years found that 63% experienced more than a 50% reduction in headache frequency after taking P.E.A. for three months, with reductions in headache intensity also reported while demonstrating an excellent safety profile ⁽³⁾.

While larger studies are still needed, the growing body of research, together with the experiences of many customers, suggests that P.E.A. may offer valuable support for people looking for additional options to help manage chronic pain and migraines.

For more information about PEA, drop into Go Vita, Your Health Shop at 5 North Street, Batemans Bay. You can also call us on (02) 4472 9737 or visit us online at www.govitabatemansbay.com.au. Don’t miss our weekly segment on 2EC radio, where Marianne and I chat about health and wellness with Kimmi Saker every Wednesday after 12.30pm.

References

1.      Dalla Volta G, Zavarize P, Ngonga G, Carli D. Ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide reduces frequency and pain intensity in migraine: a pilot study. J Neurol Brain Dis. 2016;3(2):1–5.

2.      Chirchiglia D, Clone E, Caroleo MC, Wang M, Di Mizio G, Faedda N, et al. Palmitoylethanolamide and migraine treatment. Front Neurol. 2018;9:674. PMCID: PMC610982. PMID: 30177906.

3.      Papetti L, Sforza G, Tullo G, Alaimo di Loro P, Moavero R, Ursitti F, et al. Tolerability of Palmitoylethanolamide in a Pediatric Population Suffering from Migraine: A Pilot Study. Pain Res Manag. 2020;2020:3938640. doi:10.1155/2020/3938640.