Within the framework of the 48th National AISD (Italian Association for the Study of Pain) Congress, held in Turin from 25 to 27 September 2025, a dedicated workshop shed light on the innovative applications of nutraceuticals in pain therapy.
The session, chaired by Diego M. M. Fornasari (President) and Maria Caterina Pace (Advisor Past President), explored the frontiers of molecules such as PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) and strategies to optimize therapeutic outcomes.
At the core of the discussion: bioavailability and clinical efficacy
The workshop offered valuable insights into current research in the field. Professor Gabriele Finco (Past President of AISD) presented a detailed study on the bioavailability and action on the cannabinoid system* of two different PEA formulations in humans, highlighting how formulation can significantly influence treatment efficacy.
Subsequently, Professor Francesca Uberti of the University of Eastern Piedmont examined the crucial “leap” from bioavailability to clinical efficacy, illustrating concrete strategies to optimize therapeutic outcomes and ensure that theoretical benefits are translated into tangible results for patients.
The session concluded with new perspectives. Dr. Matteo Luigi Giuseppe Leoni addressed the concept of pharmacological “prehabilitation,” raising a key question: is it possible to effectively manage chronic post-operative pain by intervening before surgery? This preventive approach aims to reduce the incidence of chronic pain through careful pre-operative pharmacological management.
The workshop emphasized the growing importance of nutraceutical options as a valuable complement—or, in some cases, an alternative—to traditional pharmacological treatments in the management of complex pain.
* The endocannabinoid system is a biological regulatory system found in all mammals. It plays an essential role in maintaining the body’s internal balance.
