Those who are familiar with how PEA works have probably noticed some similarities to the effects of TCH, or CBD in its operation. The following article will give you more insight into what is similar, but also what is different and why PEA is a better option than both CBD and THC.

First let’s see what the difference between THC and CBD is.

These two are the most prominent ingredients of marijuana and their concentrations vary between different kinds. They both provide relief from pain, inflammation, and nausea. THC and CBD work similarly to P.E.A. by binding to receptors that play a role in pain regulating systems inside our bodies as well as the nervous and immune system. This way TCH and CBD influence appetite, sleep patterns, anxiety and depression levels.

However, CBD (cannabidiol) has a few advantages over THC. First of all, THC is noted as being being psychoactive and CBD is not. CBD also has low affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors which should make it more versatile.Pieter also states that P.E.A. does not stimulate the psychoactive brain receptor CB1. So, to me that logically means that PEA is the better choice for pain-killing.

https://palmitoylethanolamideblog.com/PEA-thc-cbd-similarities-differences/ (Pieter C’s website on “PEA and CBD – Similarities and Differences”).

So, on paper CBD is a better option than THC. However, despite all this, CBD is still not very well researched. Its negative effects, if there are any that are prominent, are not very clear and its long term use effects are virtually unknown.

The lack of knowledge of long term use is why CBD is still illegal in most of the world, although the availability is widening in combination with THC) as is the whole plant extract. For example, DEA considers all extracts of any member of the cannabis family Schedule I Controlled Substances (Federal Register Volume 81, Number 240), which officially makes it a substance with no recognized medical use. This does not mean that it is definitely not effective.

However, this rightfully marks it as a substance whose effects, positive or negative, are not completely clear. Having in mind that safety is paramount, or that users should at least be completely familiar with what they are taking, CBD will have to prove itself further.

What about P.E.A. vs CBD?

Basically, in everything where CBD fails, or is uncertain, P.E.A. takes the cake and also adds a few additional physical benefits.

First of all, P.E.A. has been thoroughly tested in more than 350 medical studies ranging from the 1950s to the present day. We can safely say that the scientific findings regarding P.E.A. are as certain as they get.

So what do the studies say?

P.E.A. also binds to receptors inside our bodies which help regulate pain and inflammation. It is endogenous and it is what our bodies actually use to protect cells from pretty much any issue. However,

P.E.A. binds to more receptors, including PPAR-α, GPR55, GPR119 and also affects TRPV1, CB1 and CB2. These are spread all over the body enabling P.E.A. to exert its positive effects on blood and nerve cells and provide thorough protection against damage caused by trauma, lack of oxygen, inflammation, or any other issue.

All these things put together make P.E.A. even more effective than some of the most common drugs. And is a reason why I (Phil) believe that it is quite likely to have a positive effect on melatonin. For example, talking about hernia and sciatica pain, researches have shown better NNT (a measure of effectiveness) of P.E.A. than the most popular NSAIDs.

And this is about pain only. Add to this its immunity benefits, cell healing and blood and nerves protection and P.E.A. becomes an even more precious compound. And, once again, all of these points have been tested by numerous scientists during more than 50 years of studies.

But this is not all.

The same studies showed that there are absolutely no side effects. Being a fatty acid, P.E.A. is easily broken down and completely safe in any amounts. Furthermore, unlike THC, P.E.A. is by no means addictive.

We have already mentioned that CBD is better than THC because it is not psychoactive. Well, neither is P.E.A. Moreover, habituation is not an issue with P.E.A. Habituation is a common problem with many drugs, especially pain and inflammation meds.

The more you take them, the more your body gets accustomed to them and their effects diminish. However, this is not the case with P.E.A. It stays effective regardless of the amounts and the length of use.

Lastly, P.E.A. can be combined with any drug. Many people who decide to start using P.E.A. for chronic pain actually use it together with painkillers for a while until P.E.A. builds up enough to start managing pain on its own. This is when patients can stop using painkillers and thus protect their internal organs.

Similarly, P.E.A. is often used as support for patients undergoing cancer treatments. P.E.A. has no interaction with the regular cancer therapy, or any other medicines, for that matter.

The verdict

THC is notorious for being psychoactive, illegal in most countries and even addictive. It is effective, but it also has a very high affinity for CB1 receptor, which limits its field of benefits.

CBD is not addictive, it has lower affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors and it has no psychoactive effects.

However, lack of thorough research makes CBD uncertain.

This is where PEA steps in. It is not psychoactive, or addictive; it binds to more receptors, which makes it more effective than both the THC and CBD; it has been thoroughly tested and proven safe, so its mechanism and short and long term effects are completely familiar and more than positive.