Palmitoylethanolamide

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), also known as palmidrol (INNTooltip International Nonproprietary Name), is an endogenous fatty acid amide, and lipid modulator. PEA is not a classic endocannabinoid because it lacks affinity for the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. PEA is metabolized by the cellular enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and N-acylethanolamine acid amide hydrolase (NAAA), the latter of which has more specificity toward PEA over other fatty acid amides. PEA is generally considered safe, and without adverse drug reactions (ADRs) or drug interactions. A 2016 meta‐analysis of PEA as an analgesic concluded that for treatment periods up to 49 days, there were no serious ADRs at an incidence of 1/200 or greater. Another meta-analysis found that no serious ADRs occurred.