Palmitoylethanolamide
There are a whole host of receptors in involved in pain--palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) works on several of them, including ones that are commonly missed in other supplements or natural products.
Derived commonly from the oil of palm trees, PEA has effects on two very important receptors: the PPARɑ and cannabinoid receptors.
PPARɑ is a factor involved in modification of neuron function through a process called “suppression” which cuts down on inflammation of nerves. As you might imagine this can be helpful for inflamed nerves in conditions such as peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia. Several studies in pain journals show just that!
Cannabinoid receptors are the body’s natural receptor which responds to...you guessed it… cannabis. This is why some studies show marijuana and hemp extracts to be useful for pain. So is PEA the same as marijuana? NO! It works on the body’s natural receptors that are involved in pain modulation in a more organic way without needing to use marijuana based products.