What Is Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
PEA is an endocannabinoid.[1]Our bodies naturally produce endocannabinoids such as PEA[2]. Certain foods such as peanut oil, egg yolk, and soybean lecithin also contain PEA[3] . If the term “endocannabinoid”sounds familiar it is because “cannabis” is the term used to describe plants that produce delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (the main active ingredient in marijuana). You’ve probably heard that marijuana (cannabis) can be used to treat glaucoma[4] . There is evidence that cannabinoids can be used to treat glaucoma. What about Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)?
Evidence that Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) can be used to treat glaucoma:
PEA is naturally found in the ciliary body (the eye tissue that produces aqueous fluid). In patients with glaucoma there is a reduced amount of PEA in the ciliary body.[5] It stands to reason that if patients with glaucoma have less PEA in their eyes then perhaps increasing the amount of PEA could treat glaucoma.
Indeed, there are now multiple studies in which PEA has been shown to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP). Studies published in 2011 and 2013 comparing PEA against placebo demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in IOP with the use of PEA (which was not seen with the placebo)[6]. A separate study was presented at an international meeting in 2013. In this study patients that received PEA had lower IOP and were less likely to lose vision.
Palmitoylethanolamide’s Potential Side Effects and Risks:
As reported in the most recent study, PEA was “safe and well tolerated, with no drug-related adverse effects .” Earlier studies have also noted the lack of significant side effects.
Recommended Dosage:
In the most recent study[7], patients were instructed to take 300mg of PEA by mouth twice daily.
Cost of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA):
PEA is not cheap. However, if you are interested in taking Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) as a natural treatment for glaucoma, the commercially available form (PeaPureTM) is $30-40 for a package of 30 (thirty) 400mg capsules. As the study evaluated patients who took a total of 600mg a day the monthly cost of this treatment would be $45-60/month.
References
- Lambert DM, Di Marzo V. The palmitoylethanolamide and oleamide enigmas: are these two fatty acid amides cannabimimetic? Curr Med Chem. 1999;6:757–773.
- Bachur NR, Masek K, Melmon KL, Udenfriend S. Fatty acid amides of ethanolamine in mammalian tissues. J Biol Chem.
1965;240:1019–1024.. - Kuehl FA, Jacob TA, Ganley OH, Ormond RE, Meisinger MAP. The identi?cation of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-palmitamide as a naturally oc-curring anti-in?ammatory agent. J Am Chem Soc. 1957;79:5577–5578..
- Buchwald A, Browne CE, Wu WM, Ji F, Bodor N. Soft cannabinoid analogues as potential anti-glaucoma agents. Pharmazie. 2000;55:196–201..
- Chen J, Matias I, Dinh T, et al. Finding of endocannabinoids in human eye tissues: implications for glaucoma. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005;330:1062–1067..
- C. Gagliano et al., Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., 2011;52(9):6096–6100.
- Gagliano, D. C. (2013). A new treatment paradigm for POAG? Ophthalmology Times Europe.
Related Articles:
Don’t delay getting checked for glaucoma.
Make an appointment with an eye doctor in your area now. If you live in the greater Los Angeles area and would like Dr. Richardson to evaluate your eyes for glaucoma call 626-289-7856 now. No referral required. Appointments are available, Tuesday through Saturday.
