--- title: "Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide for Pain: A Meta-Analysis" description: "Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) shows promise for pain reduction, but more rigorous research is needed to confirm its benefits and safety." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/pea_pain.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/pea_pain.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/pea_pain.html" type: "study" study_key: "pea_pain" journal: "Pain Physician" year: 2017 pmid: "28727699" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide for Pain: A Meta-Analysis [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide for Pain: A Meta-Analysis **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/pea_pain.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/pea_pain ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Pain Physician | | Year | 2017 | | PMID | [28727699](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28727699/) | | DOI | — | | Study key | pea_pain | ## Takeaway Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) shows promise for pain reduction, but more rigorous research is needed to confirm its benefits and safety. ## The question Does palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) effectively reduce pain in randomized, controlled trials? ## Hypothesis The researchers hypothesized that PEA would be an effective analgesic agent for treating pain. ## Methods This meta-analysis systematically reviewed randomized, controlled trials from PubMed and Embase investigating PEA's effect on pain scores. The primary outcome was the weighted mean difference in visual analog pain scales comparing PEA to inactive controls. Ten studies with 786 PEA patients and 512 controls were identified, with eight trials included in the meta-analysis. ## Results PEA treatment resulted in a significantly greater pain reduction compared to inactive control conditions, with a weighted mean difference of 2.03. Factors such as placebo control, blinding, concomitant treatments, and PEA duration or dose did not influence its measured efficacy. All-cause dropout was non-significantly lower in the PEA group. ## Conclusion PEA may be a useful and generally well-tolerated treatment for pain in research populations. However, more well-designed, randomized, placebo-controlled trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and identify potential adverse events. ## Limitations The meta-analysis was based on a relatively small number of trials with varied pain conditions and trial designs. The overall quality of the underlying studies and the assessment of side effects were often poor. ## Verbatim from the abstract > PEA was associated with significantly greater pain reduction compared to inactive control conditions (P < 0.001)… PEA may be a useful treatment for pain and is generally well tolerated. ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) | Moderate evidence | [Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/206.md) | ## Reference 1. **Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide for Pain: A Meta-Analysis** Pain Physician 2017 · [PMID 28727699](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28727699/) > PEA was associated with significantly greater pain reduction compared to inactive control conditions (P < 0.001)… PEA may be a useful treatment for pain and is generally well tolerated. ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/pea_pain.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/pea_pain.html","name":"Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide for Pain: A Meta-Analysis","description":"Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) shows promise for pain reduction, but more rigorous research is needed to confirm its benefits and safety.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/pea_pain.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide for Pain: A Meta-Analysis","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/pea_pain.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/pea_pain.html#study","name":"Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide for Pain: A Meta-Analysis","headline":"Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide for Pain: A Meta-Analysis","datePublished":"2017","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Pain Physician"},"identifier":"PMID:28727699","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28727699/","abstract":"Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) shows promise for pain reduction, but more rigorous research is needed to confirm its benefits and safety."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/206.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).