Phosphatidylserine
Other ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Phospholipid found in brain cell membranes and studied for memory, attention, exercise-stress, and cortisol-response markers.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Phosphatidylserine is an other most often used for memory support, cognitive function research, exercise-stress marker support. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 100–300 mg daily, commonly taken as phosphatidylserine from sunflower lecithin (soy-free). This profile indexes 17 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: memory support, cognitive function research, exercise-stress marker support. 17 sources indexed (1986–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Major component of neuronal cell membranes. It may influence neurotransmitter and stress-response physiology, but cortisol effects are dose-, population-, and context-dependent.12,15
Dosing & protocol.
Take with meals; evening dosing may help with cortisol and sleep2,3
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Sunflower / Soy Phosphatidylserine.
Assumes 100-300 mg/day. Vendor basis: NOW/iHerb, Vitacost, Pure Encapsulations, and Life Extension; Sharp-PS and practitioner brands drive premium pricing. Updated 2026-05-28.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
Supplements concentrate phosphatidylserine more predictably than foods.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Insomnia at high doses
- GI upset
- Rare headache
Contraindications
- Blood thinners (mild blood-thinning effect)2
- Anticholinergic medications
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
1- 1Phosphatidylserine for the Treatment of Pediatric Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisPMIDBruton A et al. · J Pediatr · 2021
200-300 mg/day PS showed statistically significant effect on symptoms of inattention relative to placebo; quality of evidence rated low and additional research warranted.
Randomized controlled trials
10- 2Effects of a food supplement containing phosphatidylserine on cognitive function in Chinese older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trialPMIDZhang Y et al. · J Alzheimers Dis · 2024
Phosphatidylserine supplementation improved different cognitive functions in patients with mild cognitive impairment, especially short-term memory.
- 3Phosphatidylserine enriched with polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acid supplementation for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents with epilepsy: A randomized placebo-controlled trialPMIDRheims S, Herbillon V, Gaillard S et al. · Epilepsia open · 2024
Rheims S, Herbillon V, Gaillard S et al.. Phosphatidylserine enriched with polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acid supplementation for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents with epilepsy: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. Epilepsia open. 2024
- 4The phosphatidylserine targeting antibody bavituximab plus pembrolizumab in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a phase 2 trialPMIDHsiehchen D, Beg MS, Kainthla R et al. · Nature communications · 2024
Hsiehchen D, Beg MS, Kainthla R et al.. The phosphatidylserine targeting antibody bavituximab plus pembrolizumab in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a phase 2 trial. Nature communications. 2024
- 5The effect of phosphatidylserine administration on memory and symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trialPMIDHirayama S et al. · J Hum Nutr Diet · 2014
Phosphatidylserine supplementation resulted in significant improvements in ADHD symptoms and short-term auditory memory in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
- 6Soybean-derived phosphatidylserine improves memory function of elderly Japanese subjects with memory complaintsSource linkedPMIDKato-Kataoka A, Sakai M, Ebina R et al. · J Clin Biochem Nutr · 2010
- 7The effects of phosphatidylserine on endocrine response to moderate intensity exercisePMIDStarks MA et al. · J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2008
Soy-derived phosphatidylserine changed cortisol and testosterone markers during moderate-intensity exercise compared to placebo.
- 8The effects of phosphatidylserine supplementation on cognitive function, mood and cortisol response following acute exercise stressSource linkedPMIDJager R, Purpura M, Geiss KR et al. · J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2007
- 9Safety of soy-derived phosphatidylserine in elderly peoplePMIDJorissen BL, Brouns F, Van Boxtel MP et al. · Nutritional neuroscience · 2002
Jorissen BL, Brouns F, Van Boxtel MP et al.. Safety of soy-derived phosphatidylserine in elderly people. Nutritional neuroscience. 2002
- 10Blunting by chronic phosphatidylserine administration of the stress-induced activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in healthy menPMIDMonteleone P et al. · Eur J Clin Pharmacol · 1992
Phosphatidylserine 800 mg/d for 10 days changed ACTH and cortisol-response markers to physical exercise stress in healthy men.
- 11Double-blind randomized controlled study of phosphatidylserine in senile demented patientsPMIDDelwaide PJ, Gyselynck-Mambourg AM, Hurlet A et al. · Acta neurologica Scandinavica · 1986
Delwaide PJ, Gyselynck-Mambourg AM, Hurlet A et al.. Double-blind randomized controlled study of phosphatidylserine in senile demented patients. Acta neurologica Scandinavica. 1986
Reviews & position papers
4- 12Heat-induced phosphatidylserine changes drive HSPA1A's plasma membrane localizationPMIDLow J, Altman R, Badolian A et al. · Cell stress & chaperones · 2025
Low J, Altman R, Badolian A et al.. Heat-induced phosphatidylserine changes drive HSPA1A's plasma membrane localization. Cell stress & chaperones. 2025
- 13Phosphatidylserine Counteracts the High Stocking Density-Induced Stress Response, Redox Imbalance and Immunosuppression in Fish Megalobrama ambylsephalaPMIDJiang Y, Liu Z, Zhang L et al. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024
Jiang Y, Liu Z, Zhang L et al.. Phosphatidylserine Counteracts the High Stocking Density-Induced Stress Response, Redox Imbalance and Immunosuppression in Fish Megalobrama ambylsephala. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland). 2024
- 14Platelet phosphatidylserine is the critical mediator of thrombosis in heparin-induced thrombocytopeniaPMIDZlamal J, Singh A, Weich K et al. · Haematologica · 2023
Zlamal J, Singh A, Weich K et al.. Platelet phosphatidylserine is the critical mediator of thrombosis in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Haematologica. 2023
- 15Phosphatidylserine and the human brainPMIDGlade MJ et al. · Nutrition · 2015
PS supports formation of short-term memory, consolidation of long-term memory, and ability to create new memories; maintains neuronal membrane fluidity and receptor function.
Reference material
2- 16Doma KM, Lewis ED, Barracato JM et al.. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study Investigating the Efficacy of a Whole Coffee Cherry Extract and Phosphatidylserine Formulation on Cognitive Performance of Healthy Adults with Self-Perceived Memory Problems. Neurology and therapy. 2023Source linkedPMID
- 17Nguyen NH, Chak V, Keller K et al.. Phosphatidylserine-mediated oral tolerance. Cellular immunology. 2023Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Phosphatidylserine, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Phosphatidylserine?
Phospholipid found in brain cell membranes and studied for memory, attention, exercise-stress, and cortisol-response markers.
What is Phosphatidylserine used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Phosphatidylserine include: Memory support; Cognitive function research; Exercise-stress marker support; Attention research. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of Phosphatidylserine?
A typical adult dose of Phosphatidylserine is 100–300 mg daily. The commonly recommended form is Phosphatidylserine from sunflower lecithin (soy-free). These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Phosphatidylserine?
Reported side effects include insomnia at high doses, gi upset, rare headache. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Phosphatidylserine?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Phosphatidylserine in NutriStack.
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