The Molecule

Palmitoylethanolamide is a fatty acid amide. The body makes it, and it occurs in some foods. It is often shortened to PEA.

The pages in this section describe the molecule. They rely mainly on one independent pharmacology review, Rankin and Fowler 2020, and they state what that review says is still unknown.

• What is palmitoylethanolamide?The chemistry of palmitoylethanolamide in plain terms: its class, formula and relatives.
• Names and spellingsPEA, palmidrol, N-palmitoylethanolamine and the other names used for the same molecule.
• HistoryA short timeline of palmitoylethanolamide research, from its identification in 1957 to current trials.
• In food and the bodyWhere palmitoylethanolamide occurs naturally, with the measured amounts, and how the body makes it.
• How it worksThe mechanisms researchers have proposed for palmitoylethanolamide, and how strong the evidence is for each.
• GlossaryPlain definitions of the terms used on this site: study designs, outcome scales, mechanisms and product forms.