Evidence supporting the use of: Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
For the health condition: Headache (tension)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous fatty acid amide that has been studied for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Its use for pain conditions, including neuropathic pain, has some scientific backing. For tension-type headaches specifically, the body of evidence is limited but emerging. A handful of small clinical studies and case reports suggest that PEA supplementation may reduce headache frequency and severity, likely due to its modulation of neuroinflammation and mast cell activity, as well as potential influence on pain signaling pathways. For example, a 2019 pilot study by Chirchiglia et al. found that PEA, when used as an adjunct, reduced headache intensity and frequency in patients with chronic migraine and tension-type headache; however, the study was small and open-label, limiting its generalizability. There are no large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials focused exclusively on tension-type headache and PEA. The mechanism is plausible—PEA may downregulate pro-inflammatory mediators involved in the pathophysiology of headaches—but robust clinical evidence is lacking. Reviews of PEA’s analgesic effects note its safety and potential for use in chronic pain, including headaches, but consistently call for further research. Thus, while there is preliminary scientific validation, the overall quality and amount of evidence for PEA in tension headache is still low to moderate.

More about Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
More about Headache (tension)

Other ingredients used for Headache (tension)

ashwagandha
waterhyssop
black cumin
Indian frankincense
chamomile
cucumber
turmeric
turmeric
feverfew
ginger
greek mountain tea
kudzu
lavender
lemon
licorice root
magnesium
moringa
passionflower
passionflower
Peppermint
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
sage
schizonepeta
triphala
chickweed
Indian bael
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
commiphora
blackboard tree
peony
Szechuan lovage
morus
chrysanthemum
wintergreen
menthol oil
aster root
cayenne pepper
Avens
Agastache
Angelica
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Aerva lanata
Anemone
Amor seco
Atractylone
Black Seed
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Balsam
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Bael
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Black willow
black salt
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Black Hellebore
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cinquefoil
Citron
Cajuput
Coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
Corydalis
Carthamus
cola nut
Clerodendrum indicum
DIVI-DIVI
Dragonhead
Dichrostachys glomerata
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
Elephant's Head
Fernbush
Gnaphalium
Gardenia jasminoides
Galangal
Henna
Herb Robert
Hempnettle
Horsemint
Indian Coraltree
Indian Fagonia
Ledebouriella
Lesser speargrass
Litsea
Linden
Ligustilides
Lotus
Labrador Tea
Large-Leaved Linden
Loranthus
Linalool
Mentha haplocalyx
Mustard
Mallow
Malva sylvestris
Mountain mahogany
Matapalo Tree
Morning Glory
Meadowsweet
Macaranga indica
Nardostachys
Nymphaea nouchali
Osha
Onosma bracteatum
Osmanthus
Premna
Piper chaba
Pulsatilla
Pluchea
Pimpinella
Paeoniflorin
Poppy
Plectranthus amboinicus
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Rue
Rubiaceae
Sophora
Spanish Needle
Self-Heal
Salvia
Sensitive Plant
Sagebrush
Sandalwood
Semecarpus anacardium
Stereospermum
Sweet Bay
Storax
Sedanenolide
Tamarind
Vervain
Water Pepper
Willow
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Yerba buena
Zingerone

Products containing Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.