For example, cacao beans, rich in phenethylamine, were used by ancient Mesoamerican cultures both as a food and as a remedy to invigorate the spirit and relieve fatigue. For those seeking a more concentrated dose, synthetic PEA supplements are available. These typically come in the form of capsules or powders and are often marketed as mood enhancers or cognitive boosters. Some supplements combine PEA with other compounds that inhibit its breakdown, potentially prolonging its effects.
Others still scoffed at the idea that people thought PEA could have any effect, reasoning that its abilities as a supplement were not currently backed by any research (can’t blame the last group there). I decided to give it a rest of for a few days to see if there were any ill effects. Nothing, though I’ve also heard reports of people coming off of PEA and experiencing major anxiety.
1 Acute Β-PEA Significantly Increased Circling And Head-Twitching Behaviors In Mice
However, it’s important to approach any combinations with caution and to consult with a healthcare professional before adding new supplements or medications to your regimen. While PEA may have potential benefits, it’s important to carefully consider the possible risks and side effects before using it. Some users may experience adverse effects such as anxiety, headaches, and nausea, and long-term use may lead to more serious complications such as cardiovascular problems. Additionally, it’s important to be cautious when taking any supplements, including those containing PEA. Some supplements may contain harmful ingredients or interact with medications you are taking. Always read the label and consult with a healthcare professional before taking any new supplement.
At higher doses, it offers a more intense pleasurable sensation, along with the supposed cognitive effects. As mentioned, this is an endogenous amine that affects neurotransmitter activity in the brain. In human (and other mammalian bodies) the chemical is in short supply and metabolizes rapidly (with a half-life of about a half minute).
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Excess phenethylamine in the urine of patients with specific types of schizophrenia has been reported, indicating it is being removed the body at an increased rate 18, 19. In another study, 9 out of 10 depressed patients that previously did not respond to conventional antidepressant treatments reported elevated mood after taking a combination of phenethylamine and selegiline. The sample size of this study prevents us from drawing any conclusions 17.
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Elegans VMAT homologue CAT-1 (cat-1(ok411) were obtained from the Caenorhabditis Genetic Center (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN). Elegans strains were grown on bacteria lawns of NA22 and maintained at 22-24°C using standard methods (Brenner 1974). For amperometry recordings, we used the BY250 strain (gift from Dr. Blakely, Vanderbilt University) expressing cytosolic GFP under the control of the dat-1.
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- Another potential benefit of PEA is its ability to enhance cognitive function.
- Some of the drugs that may interact with PEA include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and other antidepressants.
- Food training and catheter implantation surgery were performed as described previously 48.
- Others are exploring its potential in managing neurodegenerative diseases, given its possible neuroprotective properties.
- In mice, high doses of phenethylamine led to the same behavior as amphetamines, including increased energy 28, 8, 29.
This novel discovery will improve the confidence of the diagnostic efforts, possibly leading to reduced misdiagnosis and overmedication. Specifically, the urinary output of PEA was lower in a population of children suffering from ADHD, as compared to the healthy control population, an observation that was paralleled by reduced PEA levels in ADHD individuals (Baker et al., 1991; Kusaga, 2002). In a consecutive study (Kusaga et al., 2002), those of the children suffering with ADHD were treated with methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin. Patients whose symptoms improved in response to treatment with methylphenidate had a significantly higher PEA level than patients who did not experience such an improvement in their condition (Kusaga et al., 2002). Phenethylamines (plural), or substituted phenethylamines as they are known, are made up of the same chemical structure as phenethylamine, but by making slight changes to the structure it is possible to create new drugs with significantly different effects. PEA is a binding agent for the TAAR1 receptor, which modifies the monoamine transporter function.
- Evidence is lacking to support the effects of phenylamine on sexual drive.
- The various different species found within this family have been used as food, green manure, and for medicinal purposes (Sanchez-Blanco et al., 2012).
- As a consequence, polar agents usually possess minimal, if any, central activity.
- A nootropic substance called PEA may improve mental clarity, attention, and alertness.
- Seizures of phenethylamines were first reported from the United States and European countries and since 2009 substances such as 2C-E, 2C-I, 4-FA and PMMA have been commonly reported by several countries in different regions.
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It’s also important to follow the recommended dosage guidelines and not to exceed the maximum recommended dose. It’s also important to note that PEA can interact with certain medications, such as antidepressants and MAO inhibitors, and should not be used by individuals with a history of heart disease or high blood pressure. Additionally, PEA is not regulated by the FDA and the purity and quality of supplements containing PEA may vary.

Figure 14
A common disease that an estimated 4-9% of young children suffer from is attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) (reviewed by (Cormier, 2008). ADHD is a chronic child hood disorder which is characterized by a number of behavioral symptoms, including a small attention span, increased frustration, distractibility, and often depression and anxiety (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). ADHD often is paralleled by co-existing psychiatric disorders and patients can have problems that are attributable to ADHD way into their adulthood (Brassett-Harknett & Butler, 2007). While diagnosis of ADHD is usually done by analysis of the symptoms (American Psychiatric Association, 2000), PEA was recently described as a biomarker for ADHD (Scassellati et al., 2012).

While PEA is generally considered safe, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and headaches. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s recommended to lower your dosage or discontinue use altogether. Another potential benefit of PEA is its ability to improve cognitive function.
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PEA is a receptor for C-proteins, TAAR1 and TAAR2 which are receptors that are reserved to traceamine use. The receptors mentioned above are not utilized by other neurotransmitters of major importance, such as norepinephrine or dopamine. Despite its brief time-to-effect, PEA as a nootropic appears to be effective in stimulating catecholamine activity through the stimulation of dopamine as well as norepinephrine. However, PEA isn’t stored within the neuronal vesicles as dopamine is stored.
It’s recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before using PEA or any other dietary supplement. PEA has been suggested to have a positive effect on mood and feelings of happiness. However, it’s important to note that the effects of PEA can vary depending on the individual, and some users may not experience any noticeable effects. Furthermore, PEA has been studied for its potential benefits in treating certain neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease. Research has shown that PEA may have neuroprotective effects and could potentially slow the progression of the disease.