Multiple Sclerosis and PEA

PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide)

Today, I came across Dr. Alan Jacobs’ blog, of 2 March, 2022, regarding PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide), which helps to generate Allopregnanolone and is therefore helpful in the treatment of the post-finasteride syndrome (PFS). [1]

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a lipid (fat), found naturally in foods such as egg yolks and peanuts, and in the human body. PEA has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in chronic neuropathic pain and arthritic pain and taking it reduces anxiety, promotes sleep and has other properties reminiscent of cannabinoids, although it is not a cannabinoid and does not attach to cannabinoid receptors.

I was not previously aware of PEA, its use as a dietary supplement or its potentially invaluable effects in PFS, which is sometimes devastating, in young men. [2]

Beneficial effects

PEA is active in the synthesis of Allopregnanolone, which prevents neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration, reduces oxidative stress, induces sleep, prevents anxiety and depression and is active in brain maintenance and repair, during sleep. [3]
It inhibits peripheral and central inflammation and mast cell degranulation. [4]
It has been shown to reduce immunocompetent cell activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the CNS, reduces inflammation from Beta amyloid and even has antimicrobial properties (although it isn’t strong enough to use as an antibiotic). [4]

Currently, PEA is used for different types of pain, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), carpal tunnel syndrome, autism, and many other conditions; even muscle cramps. [5]

PEA is safe.

The active dose range is 300–2400 mg daily and no dose-limiting side effects or clinically relevant drug–drug interactions are documented.
The usual adult dose is 300-1200 mg by mouth, daily.

The bottom line

We all, or at least those of us for whom anxiety is a significant life factor, should add PEA to our supplement list, to take advantage of the Allopregnanolone boost it produces.
This is most important for those with intracellular hypothyroidism,

REFERENCES:

[1] https://neuroendocrinology.org/a-potentially-new-treatment-for-post-finasteride-syndrome/, by Alan Jacobs, MD, in “Alan Jacobs, MD neuroendocrinology and behavioural neurology”, March 2, 2022.

[2] Palmitoylethanolamide: A Natural Compound for Health Management, by Clayton P, Hill M, Bogoda N, Subah S, Venkatesh R., in Int J Mol Sci. 2021 May 18;22(10):5305. doi: 10.3390/ijms22105305.
PMID: 34069940; PMCID: PMC8157570. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34069940/

[3] Palmitoylethanolamide Stimulation Induces Allopregnanolone Synthesis in C6 Cells and Primary Astrocytes: Involvement of Peroxisome-Proliferator Activated Receptor-α, by G. Mattace Raso, E. Esposito, S. Vitiello, A. Iacono, A. Santoro, G. D’Agostino, O. Sasso, R. Russo, P. V. Piazza, A. Calignano, R. Meli, in Journal of neuroendocrinology, First published: 07 May 2011 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2826.2011.02152.x

[4] A Natural Compound for Health Management, by Clayton P, Hill M, Bogoda N, Subah S, Venkatesh R. Palmitoylethanolamide: Int J Mol Sci. 2021 May 18;22(10):5305. doi: 10.3390/ijms22105305. PMID: 34069940; PMCID: PMC8157570. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34069940/

[5] Palmitoylethanolamid and Other Lipid Autacoids Against Neuroinflammation, Pain, and Spasms in Multiple Sclerosis, by J.M. Keppel Hesselink, in Nutrition and Lifestyle in Neurological Autoimmune Diseases, 2017