What is PEA: Breaking the Pain Cycle

What Is Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)?

In a world where chronic pain is widespread, neuropathic pain affects one in five people, despite widespread use of pain relief medication.¹ Inflammation of the nervous system aggravates the situation by making nerves more easily activated, which can increase the intensity of pain signals.²

PEA presents a solution by enhancing cannabinoid receptor activity, decreasing inflammation, and desensitising our pain receptors. With its comprehensive approach, PEA not only alleviates pain but also safeguards nervous system health, offering hope in the management of chronic pain and mental health.³ ⁴

 

The Versatility of PEA: Who Should Take It?

PEA’s multifaceted pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective actions have clinically proven therapeutic benefits for the following conditions:

• Lower back pain⁶
• Sciatica³
• Carpel tunnel³
• Fibromyalgia⁴
• Endometriosis⁴
• Menstrual pain and cramping⁴
• Joint and osteoarthritis pain⁴
• Shingles nerve pain⁷
• Neuropathies such as chronic nerve pain⁴
• Depression⁴
• Poor sleep quality due to pain⁴
• Exercise recovery from exercise-induced muscle injury⁴
• Migraines with aura, tension headaches⁴ ⁸
• Dental pain⁹

 

Why Would I Take PEA Supplements If I Naturally Produce It?

Yes, our bodies make PEA in response to life’s stresses and injuries, but when pain and inflammation are severe or prolonged, the body cannot make enough PEA. This happens because chronic inflammation lowers PEA levels by reducing its production and breaking it down. Low PEA levels then make it harder for inflammation to go away.⁵ So, taking PEA supplements might be needed to boost PEA levels again, helping to restore its protective, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving effects.⁴

Can I Take PEA While Using Anti-Inflammatory Medications?

One of PEA’s many superpowers is reducing inflammation in the body by acting like a mediator. PEA communicates with mast cells and other inflammatory markers, which are key players in initiating inflammation, stopping them from releasing substances that would make inflammation worse.⁴

PEA has been safely used alongside non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, to enhance their effectiveness in combating inflammation without causing any harmful interactions.⁸

The anti-inflammatory benefits of PEA also offer support for allergic reactions such as allergic rhinitis and allergic dermatitis, influenza and the common cold.⁴

Can I Take PEA While Using Other Medications

Clinical studies have shown the compatibility of taking PEA alongside other pain medications, such as lyrica (pregabalin) or tapentadol, to provide effective pain relief without compromising safety. With its proven safety profile, PEA offers a reliable option for enhancing your pain relief strategy and getting you back to your daily routine, free from discomfort.³

For Mild Nerve Pain & Neuralgia - Ethical Nutrients Nervalgesic

Nervalgesic harnesses the power of high strength and easily absorbed PEA, a state-of-the-art nutrient renowned for alleviating mild nerve pain and inflammation. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) complements this by promoting optimal nervous system performance and nerve regeneration.¹¹ Blended with the synergistic effects of saffron, which also aids in pain relief and reducing inflammation, Nervalgesic effectively disrupts the cycle of pain while working to preserve and protect nerve health.¹²

How to take Nervalgesic

Whether seeking daily support for your nervous system or relief from mild nerve pain, neuralgia, and inflammation, simply take one capsule daily for comprehensive nervous system support, while two capsules taken twice daily provide targeted pain relief.

For Pain Relief and Neuromuscular Support - Ethical Nutrients Nervalgesic Muscle

Anyone who has suffered from painful muscle cramping knows the struggle of finding effective pain relief. Nervalgesic Muscle is your ally in fighting pain, tackling both nerves and muscles head-on. With its powerful blend of bioactive PEA and easily absorbed magnesium diglycinate (Meta Mag®), it's a game-changer for mild nerve pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, and cramps.

Magnesium and Muscle Cramps – What is the Connection?

The link between magnesium and muscle cramps lies in the mineral's crucial role in muscle contractions. Muscles contract as calcium floods into the muscle cells and relax as calcium is pumped out while magnesium enters. Therefore, insufficient magnesium can cause excess calcium to remain in cells, keeping the muscle in a contracted state and leading to painful cramps.¹³

Additionally, magnesium improves the absorption and effective use of other minerals like sodium and potassium, essential for muscle health and function.

Magnesium is vital to support muscle movement by signaling neurons in the brain to contract and relax muscles. It also supports muscle fueling and aids in removing lactic acid during exercise. Low magnesium levels increase the likelihood of muscle cramps, as muscles may not be adequately fueled or receiving appropriate signals from the brain to contract and relax. Muscle cramps often indicate magnesium deficiency, and they can also signal inflammation, which magnesium can help alleviate by calming inflammation and relieving pain.¹³

 

How to Take Nervalgesic Muscle

A great-tasting raspberry powder that when mixed with 200mL of water, changes from blue to pink due to the natural interaction of the black carrot. To relieve mild nerve pain and muscle spasms: Take 1 scoop (5g) twice daily. To support healthy muscle relaxation: Take 1 scoop (5g) daily.

 

References:

1. Henderson J, Pollack AJ, Pan Y, Miller GC. Neuropathic and non-neuropathic chronic pain at GP encounters: Prevalence, patient characteristics, suffering and pregabalin use. Aust Fam Physician. 2016;45(11):783-786.
2. Skaper SD, Facci L, Giusti P. Mast cells, glia and neuroinflammation: partners in crime?. Immunology. 2014;141(3):314-327. doi:10.1111/imm.12170
3. Keppel Hesselink JM, Kopsky DJ. Palmitoylethanolamide, a neutraceutical, in nerve compression syndromes: efficacy and safety in sciatic pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. J Pain Res. 2015;8:729-734. Published 2015 Oct 23. doi:10.2147/JPR.S93106
4. Clayton P, Hill M, Bogoda N, Subah S, Venkatesh R. Palmitoylethanolamide: A Natural Compound for Health Management. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(10):5305. Published 2021 May 18. doi:10.3390/ijms22105305
5. Skaper SD, Facci L, Fusco M, et al. Palmitoylethanolamide, a naturally occurring disease-modifying agent in neuropathic pain. Inflammopharmacology. 2014;22(2):79-94. doi:10.1007/s10787-013-0191-7
6. Chirchiglia D, Paventi S, Seminara P, Cione E, Gallelli L. N-Palmitoyl Ethanol Amide Pharmacological Treatment in Patients With Nonsurgical Lumbar Radiculopathy. J Clin Pharmacol. 2018;58(6):733-739. doi:10.1002/jcph.1070
7. Kamper D. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) in the treatment of neuropathic pain: a case study. Nutr Health. 2022;28(2):265-269. doi:10.1177/02601060211019669
8. Chirchiglia D, Cione E, Caroleo MC, et al. Effects of Add-On Ultramicronized N-Palmitol Ethanol Amide in Patients Suffering of Migraine With Aura: A Pilot Study. Front Neurol. 2018;9:674. Published 2018 Aug 17. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00674
9. Santonocito S, Donzella M, Venezia P, Nicolosi G, Mauceri R, Isola G. Orofacial Pain Management: An Overview of the Potential Benefits of Palmitoylethanolamide and Other Natural Agents. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(4):1193. Published 2023 Apr 9. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15041193
10. Paladini A, Varrassi G, Bentivegna G, Carletti S, Piroli A, Coaccioli S. Palmitoylethanolamide in the Treatment of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. Pain Res Treat. 2017;2017:1486010. doi:10.1155/2017/1486010
11. Baltrusch S. The Role of Neurotropic B Vitamins in Nerve Regeneration. Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:9968228. Published 2021 Jul 13. doi:10.1155/2021/9968228
12. Hosseinzadeh H, Younesi HM. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Crocus sativus L. stigma and petal extracts in mice. BMC Pharmacol. 2002;2:7. Published 2002 Mar 15. doi:10.1186/1471-2210-2-7
13. van Dronkelaar C, van Velzen A, Abdelrazek M, van der Steen A, Weijs PJM, Tieland M. Minerals and Sarcopenia; The Role of Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium, and Zinc on Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2018;19(1):6-11.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2017.05.026