Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment. 

It’s not unnatural that you feel anxious now and then. But when your anxiety becomes frequent, constant, and so overwhelming that it is hard to control and affects your daily activities, it might be a mental concern. The use of phosphatidylserine for anxiety has been found beneficial for many years. Studies suggest that phosphatidylserine can help reduce excessive anxiety naturally. But how? Let’s find out together. 

In this article, we’ll be exploring the benefits of phosphatidylserine for anxiety according to scientific studies. But before we get into how phosphatidylserine can help fight anxiety naturally, it’s important to learn the basics of anxiety as well as anxiety disorders a little bit more. So, let’s get started.  

Table of contents 

• Understanding anxiety and anxiety disorders 
• Types of anxiety disorders 
• Symptoms of anxiety disorders  
• Causes of anxiety disorders 
• Complications of anxiety disorders 
• What is phosphatidylserine? 
• Benefits of phosphatidylserine for anxiety 
• How to use phosphatidylserine 
• Precautions and side effects 
• Final words 

Understanding anxiety and anxiety disorders 

Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. It’s the normal function through which the brain alerts a person about any potential threat ahead. It might provoke feelings of tension, fear, and dread along with a number of physical symptoms such as excessive sweating, increased blood pressure, and rapid heartbeat. Anxiety might occur in any stressful situation like when facing danger or before starting a difficult task. The feeling of anxiety is occasional and helps you cope with stressful situations. 

But in certain cases, anxiety might worsen over time and become so overwhelming that it affects the quality of life. When excessive anxiety doesn’t go away easily and impacts a person’s performance at school or work, and interferes with relationships, and social activities, it falls under any of various anxiety disorders.   

Types of anxiety disorders 

Though there is a range of anxiety disorders that vary from each other based on associated symptoms and underlying causative factors, major types include: 

• Generalized anxiety disorder or GAD 
• Phobias 
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD 
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD 

Symptoms of anxiety disorders

Symptoms of anxiety disorders may vary depending on the severity and category of the conditions. Some common symptoms may include: 

• Feelings of anxiousness that are difficult to keep in check and make a person feel tense and restless accompanied by various physical symptoms such as rapid or pounding heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and excessive sweating  
• Behavioral changes such as avoiding school, work, family, and other social activities 
• Having difficulty sleeping 
• A feeling of excessive fatigue or weakness  

Causes of anxiety disorders 

Though the exact cause of anxiety disorders is still under research, researchers assume that excessive stress, brain chemistry, and genetics may contribute to developing them. 

Complications of anxiety disorders

If not treated earlier, anxiety disorders may lead to various serious physical and mental conditions, such as: 

• Depression 
• Substance abuse 
• Social isolation 
• Chronic digestive issues 
• Chronic fatigue and pain 
• And even a tendency to suicide   

What is phosphatidylserine? 

Phosphatidylserine, also known as PS, is an amino acid substance, similar to dietary fatty acids, naturally found in human cells and certain foods. Though the human body can produce phosphatidylserine naturally, most of its needs are fulfilled by diets or supplements. 

Although phosphatidylserine plays vital roles in many important bodily functions, the most prevalent role it plays is giving structure to the brain cell membranes and protecting them so that they can carry out signals more efficiently. It also protects the nerve cells from age-related degeneration and helps to maintain and improve memory, focus, and other cognitive performances. 

Let’s take a look at how phosphatidylserine can more specifically help with anxiety:   

 

Benefits of phosphatidylserine for anxiety

Phosphatidylserine has an incredible ability to reduce the effects of stress and thus may help with easing several stress-induced symptoms such as anxiety and depression. It can help keep stress hormone cortisol levels in a healthy balance and help cope with stressful situations more efficiently. 

A 1992 clinical trial published in the European Journal of Pharmacology has shown that the administration of phosphatidylserine can blunt stress-induced cortisol responses in healthy men. 

In a recent 2012 randomized controlled trial (RCT) published in the Nutritional Research (New York), researchers concluded that PS supplementation along with omega 3 fatty acids may benefit people with high chronic stress by restoring the balance of a dysfunctional HPA (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) axis.  

How to use phosphatidylserine 

Although doses of phosphatidylserine for anxiety are individual and may vary from person to person depending on the severity of the conditions, in general, they range from 100 mg to 300 mg per day. This dose can be taken in two to three divided doses throughout the day with or without meals. 

Precautions and side effects 

Phosphatidylserine is possibly safe and well-tolerable in recommended doses for up to 4 months. Some people may have side effects such as sleep disturbances and stomach upset particularly at doses over 300 mg per day. But these are not common. 

Besides, phosphatidylserine may interfere with how certain drugs and supplements work in the body such as blood thinners, performance enhancers, as well as others. There is no data available to learn about the safety profile of phosphatidylserine in pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

Therefore, it’s best to consult with a qualified natural medicine practitioner prior to using phosphatidylserine for anxiety, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medications for any underlying health conditions. 

Final words 

Phosphatidylserine or PS, a natural fatty compound, found in foods and human cells, particularly in brain cells with a great concentration, has been found highly beneficial in alleviating symptoms of anxiety, as well as reducing stress levels and improving memory. 

Generally, doses of phosphatidylserine for anxiety may range from 100 mg to 300 mg per day. But always consider consulting with a certified natural medicine professional prior to starting PS supplements to determine what dose would be the best for your specific condition.

Here you can see Vorst’s pure and natural Phosphatidylserine 100 mg Vegan Capsules (PS - 100)

Important resources: 

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1325348/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22575036/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4508628/
4. https://www.mindlabpro.com/blogs/nootropics/phosphatidylserine-for-anxiety#:~:text=Phosphatidylserine%20for%20Anxiety%20and%20Depression,of%20chronic%20stress%20and%20anxiety.
5. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-benefits-of-phosphatidylserine-89496
6. https://medlineplus.gov/anxiety.html
7. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/anxiety
8. https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/anxiety-disorders
9. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
10. https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety
11. https://www.hhs.gov/answers/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/what-are-the-five-major-types-of-anxiety-disorders/index.html