On the plus side, most cases can be effectively treated (by natural practitioners). On the other hand, sorting through the options can be quite challenging.
This is usually the case as we learn about complex conditions. As we get closer to the truth, we can tell because things start to tie together and get simpler.
This is happening now. Research is showing the missing link that is common to so many common conditions. Including postinfectious CFS/fibromyalgia (which includes Lyme disease and long Covid), chronic pain of almost every type, sensitivities and MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).
About 30 years ago I investigated a natural compound called PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) for MCAS. There was a little research, but not enough to impress me. It took me three decades to decide to revisit it. As each study laid a "breadcrumb trail" for me to follow, it painted an amazing story. One that was so fascinating, it kept me up till 4:00 in the morning pulling study after study.
The gist?
PEA Power
When stress from chronic pain or numerous other triggers occurs, the brain makes the natural compound PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) to manage these. When the PEA gets depleted, it triggers numerous shock waves. We see sensitivities (including MCAS); microglial activation (brain inflammation and pain) which dramatically amplifies pain and causes it to become chronic; and it causes hypothalamic dysfunction (a key player in CFS/FMS/long Covid/Chronic Lyme and POTS).
Giving PEA supports healing for all of these.
For chronic pain, I have not seen any natural or prescription options with this massive level of research proven efficacy. The research using it for MCAS and microglial activation is also convincing. As is the research tying all these together.
Treatment is Easy
The keys:
Using a high absorption form. The form I recommend includes Gammasorb to enhance absorption.
Preferably, use a PEA combined with serratiopeptidase, to address commonly accompanying biofilms.
To include both these, I use the PEA Healthy Inflammation Response by EuroMedica.
The most common dose used in the studies is 300 mg twice daily. But let people know it can take three months to see the full effect (although it can be seen in days in some cases). There is a faster way though.
The protocol I use?
Although there are hundreds of studies using PEA for pain, to get a quick sense of its power I recommend you look at Palmitoylethanolamide, a neutraceutical, in nerve compression syndromes: efficacy and safety in sciatic pain and carpal tunnel syndrome - PMC and an accompanying three minute video by the prominent Netherlands pain specialist Prof. Jan Keppel Hesselink (I strongly recommend you watch the video). He shares his experience using PEA in many thousands of people with severe chronic pain.
Here is the dosing pain specialist Prof. Jan Keppel Hesselink recommends:
He starts with PEA 600 mg twice a day in chronic discomfort, gives it a month, and then goes to 1200 mg twice a day for 2 months as a fair therapeutic trial.
2. Most often, he sees pain relief beginning at three weeks using this higher dosing.
This can be taken with other pain medications, and is often effective even when nothing else has worked.
So, 300 mg twice a day can be enough (for those not able to do higher dosing). But the above higher dosing will work more quickly and effectively. Then the dose can be lowered to whatever is needed to maintain the benefits (e.g. 300 to 600 mg daily or as needed).
In a few cases it may be energizing enough to disrupt sleep. If this happens, initially simply lower the dose, slowly working up, and take it in the morning and early afternoon.
A Brief Sampling of Research On PEA
Let's start with a review article https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/6/1350 which has over 212 study references.
It discusses how PEA also works through cannabinoid systems as well as PPAR pathways. Basically this means it is working by mechanisms we don't have good medications for.
And it works to help so many things. As the review notes. PEA "provides therapeutic benefits in many applications, including immunity, brain health, allergy, pain modulation, joint health, and sleep and recovery. PEA's poor oral bioavailability, a major obstacle in early research, has been overcome by advanced delivery systems."
Continue reading in the Townsend Letter.
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