Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine (PS)
A phospholipid crucial for brain cell membranes that supports memory, reduces cortisol, and aids cognitive function.
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid that makes up a significant portion of brain cell membranes. It plays crucial roles in cell signaling, neurotransmitter release, and memory formation. Research shows benefits for cognitive function and cortisol reduction after exercise.
Mechanisms of Action
Cell Membrane Support
Key structural component of brain cell membranes
Cortisol Regulation
Reduces excessive cortisol response to stress
Neurotransmitter Support
Facilitates acetylcholine and dopamine release
Recommended Dose
100-300mg daily
Optimal Timing
- With meals
- Evening or post-workout for cortisol
Take with food
Best Form
Soy or sunflower-derived phosphatidylserine
Alternatives: Sharp-PS® branded, Bovine-derived (rare now)
Soy and sunflower sources are equivalent to original bovine-derived PS. Sunflower preferred for those avoiding soy.
Duration
Minimum: 4 weeks
Optimal: 12 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Better absorbed with fat. Evening dosing may support cortisol reduction. Post-workout for athletes to blunt exercise-induced cortisol.
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Improved Memory
Better recall and memory formation
Lower Cortisol
Reduced stress hormone after exercise
Mental Clarity
Clearer thinking and focus
Limited data; consult healthcare provider
May be particularly beneficial for age-related cognitive decline
May help manage exercise-induced cortisol
Who Should NOT Take This
- Soy allergy (use sunflower-derived)
Drug Interactions
Theoretical interaction; monitor — may affect platelet aggregation or vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, altering anticoagulant efficacy
May counteract effects
Possible Side Effects
Tip: Take with food
Tip: Take earlier in day; reduce dose
Warnings
- Effects may be subtle
- Most benefits seen in cognitive decline populations
- Use sunflower-derived if soy-sensitive
Top studies from 40+ peer-reviewed papers
Zhou P et al. • PloS one (2024)
“The rankings of safety and efficacy of the 12 antioxidants vary.”
Key Findings:
- The rankings of safety and efficacy of the 12 antioxidants vary.
- Due to the low methodological quality of the included studies, the probability ranking cannot fully explain the clinical efficacy, and the results need to be interpreted with caution.
- More high-quality studies are still needed to verify our findings.
Zhu R et al. • Thrombosis research (2022)
“These data show a high rate of aPS/PT positivity in patients with APS (especially in those positive for LAC) but further studies are needed to ascertain whether this test might be useful in the laboratory classification criteria of APS.”
Key Findings:
- Pooled prevalence of aPS/PT IgG alone, IgM alone, and IgG/M were 50.0%, 45.0%, and 65.0%, respectively.
- When the prevalence of aPS/PT was calculated in homogeneous aPLs, a much higher rate of pooled prevalence of aPS/PT IgG/M in patients positive for Lupus Anticoagulant (84.5%) and in those with triple positivity (83.4%) was found.
- These data show a high rate of aPS/PT positivity in patients with APS (especially in those positive for LAC) but further studies are needed to ascertain whether this test might be useful in the laboratory classification criteria of APS.
Higgins SJ et al. • The Journal of clinical investigation (2018)
“Finally, interventions targeting Tie2 may normalize coagulation in inflammatory states while averting the bleeding risks of current DIC therapies.”
Key Findings:
- Conversely, Tie2 activation normalized prothrombotic responses by inhibiting endothelial tissue factor and phosphatidylserine exposure.
- Critically, Tie2 activation had no adverse effects on bleeding.
- These results mechanistically implicate Tie2 signaling as a central regulator of microvascular thrombus formation in septic DIC and indicate that circulating markers of the Tie2 axis could facilitate earlier diagnosis.
- Finally, interventions targeting Tie2 may normalize coagulation in inflammatory states while averting the bleeding risks of current DIC therapies.
Duan H et al. • Journal of affective disorders (2025)
“This food supplement containing phosphatidylserine could improve different cognitive functions of MCI patients, especially short-term memory, and increase serum n-3 PUFAs and neurotransmitters levels.”
Key Findings:
- A total of 190 participants (mean [SD] age, 67.95 [5.62] years; 70 (36.8 %) male and 120 (63.2 %) female) were randomized to the placebo group (n = 95) and intervention group (n = 95).
- Compared with placebo group, the intervention group had statistically significant improvements in arithmetic testing (β, 0.688; 95 % CI, 0.103-1.274), the similarity test (β, 1.070; 95 % CI, 0.472-1.667) and short-term memory (β, 0.600; 95 % CI, 0.399-0.800).
- And the intervention may improve short-term memory by increasing serum ALA levels (average causal mediation effect = 0.132, 95 % CI, 0.053-0.225) with 19.7 % mediation proportion.
Youngblood MW et al. • Nature communications (2025)
“This rct examined the effects of Phosphatidylserine.”
Key Findings:
- Thus, our study introduces an efficient microfluidic platform for the capture of circulating GBM EVPs and demonstrates that release upon BBB opening is predictive of outcomes following paclitaxel treatment.
- This approach represents a real-time surrogate biomarker for treatment response for a disease where imaging-based assessment of response has not been shown to be reliable.
- Future prospective validation is warranted.© 2025.
Study Type Distribution
Goals This Supplement Supports
Related Goals
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement.