Palmitoylethanolamide shows promising role in controlling pain conditions as per the preliminary evidence elucidate by a meta-analysis published in the journal Pain Physician. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous fatty acid amide analogue of endocannabinoid anandamide, used as a novel non-psychomimetic analgesic drug among various clinical and animal model trials previously. 
Bekir Berker Artukoglu and colleagues proposed this systematic review and meta-analysis to study the PEA efficiency to treat pain by taking randomized and controlled trials from search engines Embase and PubMed. The visual analog pain scales' weighted mean difference between the inactive control and PEA treatment was chosen as the primary outcome.

A total of 10 studies comprised 512 controls, and 786 patients were selected for systematic review and for meta-analysis, eight trials consisting an inactive control group were incorporated. Greater pain reduction was noticed in PEA group (P < 0.001) and not influenced by factors; allowance for concomitant treatments, use of placebo control, duration or dose of PEA treatment and presence of blinding. PEA group also show a significant reduction in all-cause dropout as compared to inactive control conditions (P = 0.11). However, the number of trials used in the meta-analysis was relatively small and underlying studies, and assessment of side effects' overall quality was also inadequate.
 PEA is an effective and sustainable way to manage pain but more randomized, placebo-controlled, well-designed trials are required to determine reliable estimates of its efficiency and less severe side effects linked with the drug.