Palmitoylethanolamide Research Reference

Catalog classification, reference sizes, lab math links, and source-backed data. Educational use only — not medical advice.

Researched for: Palmitoylethanolamide evidence and protocol review

General Compounds compound PowderCapsule verified

Also known as: PEA, N-palmitoylethanolamine

Open in Calculator ← Compound Index All Tools

Quick Facts

Reference Sizes

1 g, 5 g

Storage

Use finished-product specifications; micronization and excipients affect formulation performance

Solubility

Poorly water-soluble; micronized (m-PEA) or ultramicronized (um-PEA) forms significantly improve oral bioavailability

Catalog Description

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous fatty-acid amide with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, acting partly through PPAR-alpha activation and indirect modulation of the endocannabinoid system - chemically and functionally distinct from phenylethylamine (the stimulant amine documented separately in this catalog), despite the shared 'PEA' abbreviation causing frequent confusion in casual content. A registered randomized controlled trial is currently assessing palmitoylethanolamide's potential as an adjuvant to resistance training in healthy adults over an 11-week protocol including 8 weeks of progressive resistance training.

Catalog descriptions reflect research context only. Not a medical claim or treatment recommendation.

Research Profile

Half-Life

No single clinically established half-life across micronized, ultramicronized, and proprietary formulations

Onset

Anti-inflammatory/recovery effects assessed over the 11-week RCT protocol (ongoing)

Administration Routes (Research)

Oral in the cited randomized human studies

Reported Research Effects

Anti-inflammatory activity via PPAR-alpha activation
Analgesic properties
Under RCT evaluation as a resistance-training recovery adjuvant

Reported Research Side Effects

Generally well tolerated in the cited trials
No major adverse effects attributed in the chronic-pain meta-analysis
Formulation-specific and sponsor-conflict limitations apply
Optimal dose and duration remain unsettled

Data source: Primary literature, regulator records, trial registries, and identity-specific evidence search

Reflects preclinical/research literature context only. Not a medical claim, dosing instruction, or treatment recommendation.

Research Protocols Reported in the Literature

300 mg/day or 600 mg/day in divided twice-daily doses for 8 weeks [Oral; Randomized double-blind knee-osteoarthritis trial; Twice daily]Source: PMID 30927159
300 mg morning plus 600 mg evening for 7 days, then 300 mg twice daily for 7 days [Oral; Triple-blind randomized TMJ inflammatory-pain trial; Twice daily]Source: PMID 22558609
400 mg three times daily for 4 weeks [Oral; Randomized crossover experimental-pain study in healthy volunteers; Three times daily]Source: PMID 36235736
600 mg at migraine onset, with a second 600 mg permitted after 2 hours if unresolved [Oral; Randomized acute migraine study; Symptom-triggered]Source: PMID 38399360

Research Notes

The record now separates four tested human regimens. These schedules are tied to their indications and formulations and are not interchangeable with injectable RUO peptide protocols.

Supplementary research context only. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

Sources

PEA knee-osteoarthritis randomized trial — PubMed (NIH)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30927159/

PEA TMJ inflammatory-pain randomized trial — PubMed (NIH)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22558609/

PEA experimental-pain crossover trial — PubMed (NIH)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36235736/

PEA acute migraine randomized trial — PubMed (NIH)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38399360/

PEA chronic-pain systematic review and meta-analysis — PubMed (NIH)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36986081/

Suggest a community source

Found a relevant Reddit or forum thread about this compound? Suggest it below. Every suggestion is reviewed by an editor before it appears -- nothing is published automatically.

Related Research Tools

Reconstitution CalculatorConcentration, draw volume, per-unit amounts Unit Convertermg, mcg, mL, units conversion Compound CompareSide-by-side comparison tool Cost CalculatorCost per mg, mcg, per-draw

Research Use Only. All content is for educational and research reference only. Not medical advice, a treatment recommendation, or guidance on human use. Compounds are not FDA-approved drugs unless specifically noted.