Phosphatidylserine Benefits: What This Brain-Supporting Nutrient Can Do for You

Phosphatidylserine might be worth a deeper look if you want to organically improve your brainpower. This little-known supplement is very important for brain health, and research is catching up with what many people already know: it helps them think more clearly, remember things better, and feel less stressed.
Disclaimer: This content is intended solely for informational and educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Table of Contents
- What Is Phosphatidylserine?
- Brain Health and Cognitive Support
- Stress Reduction and Cortisol Balance
- Athletic Performance and Recovery
- Age-Related Memory Loss
- Dosage, Forms, and Safety
- References and Resources
What Is Phosphatidylserine?
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid, which is a type of fat that makes up your cell membranes, especially in your brain. It helps cells talk to one other, stay flexible, and support the activity of neurotransmitters. Our bodies make some phosphatidylserine, but as we get older, stress, and eat poorly, the levels go down.
Soybeans, white beans, egg yolks, and organ meats are some foods that have PS, although most individuals don't get enough of it from their diet alone. That's why people who want to improve their mental clarity and keep their minds sharp for a long time often turn to supplements.
Brain Health and Cognitive Support
Phosphatidylserine is most known for how it affects how well your brain works. It helps with memory, learning, focus, and how quickly the brain processes information. It works by making neurotransmitters perform better, especially acetylcholine and dopamine, which are important for mood and memory.
Some studies show that PS may help people pay attention and remember things better, especially older people or people whose brains are getting worse. It is also used by students and professionals to help them stay focused and clear-headed while they are under stress.
Stress Reduction and Cortisol Balance
One of the best things about PS is that it can change the levels of cortisol, which is the body's main stress hormone. Cortisol levels that stay high for a long time can damage memory, make it hard to sleep, and lower immunity.
Phosphatidylserine may help keep cortisol levels from rising too quickly following physical or mental stress. This makes it quite helpful for persons who work in high-stress occupations, have anxiety, or are burned out. It is also a favourite of sportsmen and others who work shifts who want to keep their minds in balance.
Athletic Performance and Recovery
People in the fitness world don't know about PS as much, but it is becoming more popular as a way to help with recuperation. It may help speed up healing and make muscular pain feel less severe by lowering cortisol levels after exercise.
There is also some evidence that PS might aid improve performance in sports that need endurance or activities that require mental attention, like golf.
Age-Related Memory Loss
Phosphatidylserine has been researched as a natural aid for cognitive decline associated with aging, encompassing disorders such as moderate cognitive impairment. Some clinical investigations have demonstrated that PS supplementation can enhance memory recall and verbal fluency in older persons.
Phosphatidylserine may not cure forgetting, but it is a mild, science-backed way to help keep your brain healthy for a long time.
Dosage, Forms, and Safety
Most phosphatidylserine supplements are in 100 mg capsules, and the most frequent daily doses are between 100 and 300 mg. Soy or sunflower lecithin is usually the source, and people who don't like soy often choose sunflower-based PS.
There are not many side effects, however if you take it too late in the day, you can get a slight upset stomach or trouble sleeping. Always read the label on the product and talk to your doctor, especially if you use medications that alter neurotransmitters or blood coagulation.
References and Resources
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PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE: Overview, uses, side effects, precautions, interactions, dosing and reviews. (n.d.). https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-992/phosphatidylserine
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Woznik, P. (2024, May 28). Phosphatidylserine. Examine.com. https://examine.com/supplements/Phosphatidylserine
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Ma, X., Li, X., Wang, W., Zhang, M., Yang, B., & Miao, Z. (2022). Phosphatidylserine, inflammation, and central nervous system diseases. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.975176
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Phosphatidylserine. (2025, April 21). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/25129-phosphatidylserine