Last week, I've written about the supplement PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) and its role in helping manage pain. This week, I'd like to explore at how PEA may benefit people living with fibromyalgia, neuralgia and shingles - conditions that can cause persistent and often debilitating nerve pain.

Neuropathic pain is one of the most challenging types of chronic pain to manage. It occurs when nerves become damaged or impaired, leading to symptoms such as sharp, shooting, burning or stabbing pain, as well as tingling, numbness and heightened sensitivity.

What I find particularly fascinating about neuropathic pain is the way our nervous system works. Even after the original cause of nerve irritation such as inflammation or compression has been resolved, the affected nerves can continue sending pain signals to the brain. In effect, the nervous system can become stuck in a cycle of pain.

This type of nerve pain can occur in conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, shingles, fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, pelvic pain and even after surgery. In some cases, something as simple as light pressure or touch can trigger significant discomfort.

One condition where PEA has shown promising results is fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a common chronic condition characterised by widespread pain, muscle stiffness and tenderness. However, the symptoms often extend beyond pain and can include fatigue, poor sleep, brain fog, memory difficulties, mood changes, and increased sensitivity to light, temperature and even certain smells.

Research from Verona University Hospital in Italy investigated the use of PEA in 407 fibromyalgia patients between 2013 and 2016. The study found significant improvements in quality-of-life scores and a significant reduction in pain levels among participants who supplemented with PEA¹.

Another study involving 35 fibromyalgia patients who were already taking pain medication found that supplementing with 600mg of PEA daily for 12 weeks significantly reduced overall pain. Remarkably, the average number of painful tender points decreased from eight to just one by the end of the study².

Diabetic neuropathy is another condition where PEA may offer support. In an eight-week study involving 70 adults aged between 32 and 75 years diagnosed with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes with diabetic-related peripheral neuropathy conducted in Australia, participants taking 600mg of PEA daily experienced reductions in spontaneous burning and pressure pain, stabbing and sharp pain intensity, and pins and needles³.

Then there's shingles also known as herpes zoster, a condition anyone who has experienced it will tell you can be incredibly painful. Shingles is caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox and most commonly affects people over the age of 50, particularly during times of stress or when the immune system is under pressure. It is estimated that around one in five people will develop shingles during their lifetime.

The pain that comes with shingles can be intense, often described as burning, stabbing, or lingering long after the rash has disappeared. It can also be one of the more difficult types of pain to manage. While conventional pain medications are often prescribed, research suggests that adding PEA may provide extra support by helping to calm nerve-related pain associated with shingles. In fact, a meta-analysis found that PEA can significantly reduce pain and improve quality of life, with many people noticing benefits within just four to six weeks of treatment.⁴

With so many people living with chronic pain, PEA continues to be a popular natural, option that may help reduce both inflammation and pain in a range of chronic conditions. While individual results can vary, it's encouraging to see so many people reporting meaningful improvements in their quality of life.

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 Go Vita's Nutritionist Sofia chat about health and wellness with Kimmi Saker every Wednesday after 12.30pm.

References

1.       Schweiger V, Martini A, Bellamoli P, Donadello K, Schievano C, Balzo GD, Sarzi-Puttini P, Parolini M, Polati E. Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide (um-PEA) as Add-on Treatment in Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS): Retrospective Observational Study on 407 Patients. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2019;18(4):326-333. doi: 10.2174/1871527318666190227205359. PMID: 30827269.

2.       Del Giorno R, Skaper S, Paladini A, Varrassi G, Coaccioli S. Palmitoylethanolamide in Fibromyalgia: Results from Prospective and Retrospective Observational Studies. Pain Ther. 2015 Dec;4(2):169-78. doi: 10.1007/s40122-015-0038-6. Epub 2015 Sep 3. PMID: 26334329; PMCID: PMC4676767.

3.       Pickering E, Steels EL, Steadman KJ, Rao A, Vitetta L. A randomized controlled trial assessing the safety and efficacy of palmitoylethanolamide for treating diabetic-related peripheral neuropathic pain. Inflammopharmacology. 2022 Dec;30(6):2063-2077. doi: 10.1007/s10787-022-01033-8. Epub 2022 Sep 4. PMID: 36057884; PMCID: PMC9700575.

4.       Viña I, López-Moreno M. Meta-Analysis of Palmitoylethanolamide in Pain Management: Addressing Literature Gaps and Enhancing Understanding. Nutr Rev. 2025 Jul 1;83(7):e1604-e1618. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuae203. PMID: 39798151.