Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Summary
PEA is a fatty-acid amide related to the endocannabinoids. Meta-analyses of about 11 double-blind trials found lower chronic-pain scores than comparators (grade B), and trials in knee osteoarthritis and diabetic nerve pain were positive (grade C). It did not speed muscle recovery, and sleep results were mixed. Trials used 300 to 1,200 mg a day.
Key facts
- Chronic pain scores (B); knee osteoarthritis pain (C); diabetic nerve pain (C); sleep onset (mixed, D); muscle damage recovery (no effect, D)[1][2][3][4][5][6]
- 11 double-blind trials, 774 patients: pain scores 1.68 points lower than comparators on an 11-point scale, with very high heterogeneity and calls for dosing studies[1]
- Well tolerated in trials, with no changes in clinical blood markers in the knee osteoarthritis trial[3]
- 6 graded human outcomes on this page
- October 11, 2026
How it works
ProposedPEA is an endocannabinoid-like lipid mediator with several molecular targets; lab and animal studies report anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing actions. How it relieves pain in people is not settled.[7]
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form column shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
At a glance: strongest evidence per outcome
| Outcome | Grade | Effect | Strongest evidence | Rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bones & joints | Grade B | Improved | Meta-analysis · n = 1,298 · 2017 | 4 rows |
| Sleep | Grade D | Mixed | RCT · n = 103 · 2021 | 1 row |
| Performance | Grade D | No effect | Crossover RCT · n = 11 · 2024 | 1 row |
Every graded row
| Outcome | Effect | Grade | Best evidence | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain versus inactive controls | Improved | Grade B | Meta-analysis · n = 1,298 · 2017 786 patients on PEA and 512 controls in 10 studies Form: PEA · Dose: Varied across studies · Duration: Varied across studies Pain fell more than with inactive controls (weighted mean difference 2.03 points); dropouts did not differ. | 28727699 (opens PubMed)Source [2] |
| Chronic pain scores | Improved | Grade B | Meta-analysis · n = 774 · 2023 Patients with chronic pain in 11 double-blind RCTs Form: PEA (various formulations) · Dose: Varied across trials · Duration: Varied across trials Pain scores fell 1.68 points more than with comparators on an 11-point scale (95% CI 1.05 to 2.31), with very high heterogeneity between trials (I² 93%). | 36986081 (opens PubMed)Source [1] |
| Knee osteoarthritis pain | Improved | Grade C | RCT · n = 111 · 2019 Adults with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis Form: PEA (Levagen) · Dose: 300 or 600 mg/day in two doses · Duration: 8 weeks Worst and least pain scores fell at both doses versus placebo, and anxiety scores dropped; clinical blood markers did not change. | 30927159 (opens PubMed)Source [3] |
| Diabetic peripheral nerve pain | Improved | Grade C | RCT · n = 70 · 2022 Adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy Form: PEA · Dose: 600 mg/day · Duration: 8 weeks Total pain and pain-interference scores fell significantly versus placebo. | 36057884 (opens PubMed)Source [4] |
| Sleep onset and quality | Mixed | Grade D | RCT · n = 103 · 2021 Adults with sleep disturbance Form: PEA (Levagen+) · Dose: 350 mg/day · Duration: 8 weeks Sleep onset latency and time to feel awake shortened, but sleep quality and quantity improved similarly in both groups. | 34522787 (opens PubMed)Source [5] |
| Recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage | No effect | Grade D | Crossover RCT · n = 11 · 2024 Healthy men Form: PEA (Levagen+) · Dose: 350 mg · Duration: Around one eccentric exercise bout No effect on strength recovery, jump height or muscle-damage markers. | 39086058 (opens PubMed)Source [6] |
Forms
| Form | Elemental % | Absorption (human data) | GI tolerance | Studied for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micronized or ultramicronized PEA | Varies[3][4] | No head-to-head human absorption data in our sources.[3][4] | Well tolerated at 300–600 mg/day for 8 weeks.[3][4] | Knee osteoarthritis and nerve pain |
| Water-dispersible PEA (e.g. Levagen+) | Varies[3][5] | No comparative human data in our sources.[3][5] | Well tolerated in 8-week trials.[3][5] | Sleep, knee pain and exercise recovery |
Studied doses
Doses studied in human trials ranged from 300 to 1,200 mg of PEA a day; the trials cited here used 300 to 600 mg/day for up to 8 weeks.[3][4][5][1]
Interactions
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
None found in our sources.
Who should be careful
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- No safety data were found in the trials we cite.[1]
- Ongoing or severe pain
- Pain trials were small and short; persistent pain needs a clinical diagnosis.[1][2]
- People expecting faster muscle recovery
- A crossover trial found no effect on recovery after damaging exercise.[6]
Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines.
Where to buy Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Products from brands we partner with that contain Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). Listing a product is not a claim that it works; check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
- SupersmartPaid linkPEA (OptiPEA palmitoylethanolamide)3 capsules: 1,200 mg OptiPEA palmitoylethanolamide; 20 servingsShop at Supersmart (opens in new tab)Price and label checked 2026-10-11 on the brand’s site.
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Frequently asked questions
Does PEA work for pain?
Meta-analyses of about 10–11 small trials found lower pain scores than comparators; larger trials are still needed.[1][2]
Is PEA a cannabinoid?
It is an endocannabinoid-like lipid mediator that occurs naturally; it is not a cannabis compound.[7]
Does PEA help sleep?
In 103 adults it shortened time to fall asleep, but overall sleep quality improved equally with placebo.[5]
Is PEA safe?
It was well tolerated in 8-week trials, with no changes in clinical blood markers.[3]
Sources
- [1]Palmitoylethanolamide in the Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trials.. Nutrients, 2023. meta-analysis
- [2]Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide for Pain: A Meta-Analysis.. Pain Physician, 2017. meta-analysis
- [3]A double-blind randomized placebo controlled study assessing safety, tolerability and efficacy of palmitoylethanolamide for symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.. Inflammopharmacology, 2019. RCT
- [4]A randomized controlled trial assessing the safety and efficacy of palmitoylethanolamide for treating diabetic-related peripheral neuropathic pain.. Inflammopharmacology, 2022. RCT
- [5]Palmitoylethanolamide for sleep disturbance. A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled interventional study.. Sleep Sci Pract, 2021. RCT
- [6]Palmitoylethanolamide Does Not Affect Recovery from Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Healthy Males.. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 2024. crossover-RCT
- [7]Palmitoylethanolamide, an endogenous fatty acid amide, and its pleiotropic health benefits: A narrative review.. J Biomed Res, 2024. review
What changed
- Effect arrows corrected on 4 row(s): outcomes where a harmful measure fell (pain, symptoms, blood pressure, lipids, glucose, risk) now show as improved (up). No study data changed.
- Independent review: the 2023 meta-analysis effect restated as the 1.68-point difference on an 11-point scale reported in the full text (not a standardized mean difference), with its I² of 93% and the PEA–polydatin combination trials noted; 300–1,200 mg/day range confirmed from that review.
- First draft. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities (title, year and journal taken from the PubMed record; retraction and expression-of-concern flags checked: none) and abstracts read for each cited row. Product details in Where to buy read from the brand page on the date shown.