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. 2021;5(1):12.
doi: 10.1186/s41606-021-00065-3. Epub 2021 Sep 10.

Palmitoylethanolamide for sleep disturbance. A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled interventional study

Amanda Rao  1   2 , Phillippa Ebelt  1 , Alistair Mallard  3 , David Briskey  1   4
Affiliations

Palmitoylethanolamide for sleep disturbance. A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled interventional study

Amanda Rao et al. Sleep Sci Pract. 2021.

Abstract

Background: Sleep is essential for wellbeing, yet sleep disturbance is a common problem linked to a wide range of health conditions. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous fatty acid amide proposed to promote better sleep via potential interaction with the endocannabinoid system.

Methods: This double-blind, randomised study on 103 adults compared the efficacy and tolerability of 8 weeks of daily supplemented PEA formulation (350 mg Levagen + ®) to a placebo. Sleep quality and quantity were measured using wrist actigraphy, a sleep diary and questionnaires.

Results: At week 8, PEA supplementation reduced sleep onset latency, time to feel completely awake and improved cognition on waking. After 8 weeks, both groups improved their sleep quality and quantity scores similarly. There was no difference between groups at baseline or week 8 for sleep quantity or quality as measured from actigraphy or sleep diaries.

Conclusion: These findings support PEA as a potential sleeping aid capable of reducing sleep onset time and improving cognition on waking.

Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001339246. Registered 9th August 2018.

Keywords: Levagen; Palmitoylethanolamide; Sleep; Sleep onset.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Change in Sleep onset latency (time to get to sleep) over 8 weeks for participants reporting time to sleep > 10 min at baseline
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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