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Phosphatidylserine

Essential phospholipid that supports brain cell membrane function, memory, cognitive performance, and stress management

Scientific namePhosphatidyl-L-serine FormulaC13H24NO10P Molecular weight385.3 g/mol CAS51446-62-9
85 absorption score
9 safety / 10
45 USD per month
5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level B

Phosphatidylserine with:

Compatibility score 86 out of 100
86 out of 100
Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Enhanced memory and learning

Improves memory formation, recall, and learning capacity

Maintains brain cell membrane fluidity and neurotransmitter function Evidence A-grade 4-12 weeks

Improved cognitive performance

Enhances attention, processing speed, and mental clarity

Supports brain cell communication and membrane integrity Evidence B-grade 2-8 weeks

Stress and cortisol management

Reduces cortisol levels and improves stress response

Modulates HPA axis and blunts excessive cortisol release Evidence A-grade 2-6 weeks

Age-related cognitive decline prevention

May slow cognitive aging and support brain health

Maintains brain cell structure and function with aging Evidence B-grade 8-24 weeks

Athletic performance and recovery

May improve exercise performance and reduce exercise-induced stress

Reduces cortisol response to physical stress Evidence B-grade 2-6 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine
Phosphatidylserine + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Phosphatidylserine + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Phosphatidylserine + Vitamin D3 No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Phosphatidylserine + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Phosphatidylserine + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Phosphatidylserine + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Phosphatidylserine + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Phosphatidylserine + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Phosphatidylserine + Ginkgo Biloba Enhanced cognitive function and circulation Works better together 78
Phosphatidylserine + DHA Enhanced cognitive function and memory support Works better together 78
Phosphatidylserine + Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula Enhanced brain membrane function and neuroprotection Works better together 82
Phosphatidylserine + Acetyl-L-Carnitine Enhanced cognitive function and memory Works better together 86

Dosage

With meals
Daily100-300mg
Memory enhancement100-300mg daily
Cognitive support100-200mg daily
Stress management200-400mg daily
Athletic performance200-400mg daily

When to expect it

First Effects2-4 weeks for stress management and initial cognitive benefits
Peak Benefits8-16 weeks for sustained memory and cognitive improvements
Deficiency DevelopmentGradual decline in memory and cognitive function
Toxicity OnsetVery rare, excellent safety profile

How to measure it

$80-150
MarkerCortisol levels or cognitive function assessments
OptimalBalanced cortisol rhythm and improved cognitive markers
Deficient belowNot routinely measured
FrequencyEvery 6-12 months for stress and cognitive monitoring

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 20 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Vomiting 4
Headache 2
Cerebrovascular accident 2
Chills 2
Insomnia 2
Named as the suspect 20 reports of 22 that mention it at all
Serious outcome 92% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse
Other Serious or Important Medical Event13
Hospitalization9
Life Threatening6

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Absorption Very high 85 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound
Delivered daily 170 mg
Cost per 100 mg delivered $0.88 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented
+
Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Enhanced brain membrane function and neuroprotection

Both support brain cell membrane structure and function · level A
+
Acetyl L Carnitine

Enhanced cognitive function and memory

Complementary effects on brain energy and neurotransmitters · level B
+
Ginkgo Biloba

Enhanced cognitive function and circulation

Both support brain function through different pathways · level B

What not to take with Phosphatidylserine

2 documented
!
Chronic Stress

Chronic stress depletes PS and impairs brain function

Stress hormones damage brain cell membranes · major significance
!
Alcohol Excess

Alcohol damages brain cell membranes

Ethanol disrupts phospholipid membrane integrity · moderate significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining
blood-thinners Minor

May have mild anticoagulant effects

What to do: Monitor bleeding parameters

cholinesterase-inhibitors Beneficial

May enhance effects of Alzheimer's medications

What to do: May improve drug effectiveness

no-significant-interactions None

Generally no significant drug interactions

What to do: Safe with most medications

Available forms

bioavailability compared
Phosphatidylserine (Soy-derived) 85
Phosphatidylserine (Sunflower-derived) 90

Phosphatidylserine (Soy-derived): Memory enhancement, Stress reduction, FDA health claim, Excellent safety

Phosphatidylserine (Sunflower-derived): Non-soy source, Better tolerance, Higher purity, Allergen-free

Food sources

before you supplement
Organ meats (brain, liver) Highest natural sources · 75
Fish (mackerel, herring) Good dietary sources · 70
Soybeans and soy lecithin Moderate amounts · 65
PS supplements 100-300mg per capsule · 85-90

Too little

deficiency signs
  • Memory problems and forgetfulness
  • Poor concentration and mental fatigue
  • Increased stress sensitivity and high cortisol
  • Age-related cognitive decline
  • Difficulty learning new information
  • Poor stress recovery and adaptation
  • Reduced mental clarity and processing speed

Too much

toxicity signs
  • Excellent safety profile:
  • Mild stomach upset with high doses
  • Rare sleep disturbances if taken late
  • Very rare allergic reactions
  • Generally very well tolerated

Who benefits most

memory-cognitive-decline

Excellent for improving memory and preventing cognitive decline

100-300mg daily
aging-adults-brain-health

Supports brain health and may slow cognitive aging

100-300mg daily
stress-management-cortisol

Effective for reducing stress and cortisol levels

200-400mg daily
students-cognitive-performance

Enhances learning, memory, and mental performance

100-200mg daily
athletes-stress-recovery

May improve performance and reduce exercise-induced stress

200-400mg daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Phosphatidylserine at 100-300mg per serving. The form that matters here is Phosphatidylserine (Soy-derived).

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What else affects it

Beyond other supplements
!
Chronic stress

Chronic stress depletes PS and impairs brain function

Stress hormones damage brain cell membranes
!
Alcohol excess

Alcohol damages brain cell membranes

Ethanol disrupts phospholipid membrane integrity

How it works

  • Maintains brain cell membrane fluidity and integrity
  • Essential for neurotransmitter synthesis and release
  • Supports acetylcholine production for memory function
  • Modulates stress response and reduces cortisol levels
  • Promotes nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor
  • Facilitates glucose uptake and energy metabolism in brain cells

Key findings

what the evidence supports
  • Strong evidence for memory enhancement and cognitive support
  • Effective for stress management and cortisol reduction
  • FDA qualified health claim for cognitive dysfunction
  • Excellent safety profile with minimal side effects

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Phosphatidylserine?

Documented effects: Enhanced memory and learning; Improved cognitive performance; Stress and cortisol management; Age-related cognitive decline prevention. Improves memory formation, recall, and learning capacity

How much Phosphatidylserine should you take per day?

The common daily range is 100-300mg. By goal — memory enhancement: 100-300mg daily; cognitive support: 100-200mg daily; stress management: 200-400mg daily; athletic performance: 200-400mg daily.

When is the best time to take Phosphatidylserine?

With meals. First effects are typically reported within 2-4 weeks for stress management and initial cognitive benefits.

What are the side effects of Phosphatidylserine?

At excessive doses: Excellent safety profile:, Mild stomach upset with high doses, Rare sleep disturbances if taken late, Very rare allergic reactions, Generally very well tolerated. Safety rating at normal doses is 9 out of 10.

What should you not take with Phosphatidylserine?

Separate it from Chronic Stress, Alcohol Excess by two to four hours. Chronic stress depletes PS and impairs brain function

Does Phosphatidylserine interact with medications?

Documented interactions with blood-thinners, cholinesterase-inhibitors, no-significant-interactions. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Phosphatidylserine?

The marker is Cortisol levels or cognitive function assessments, optimal range Balanced cortisol rhythm and improved cognitive markers. Common deficiency signs: Memory problems and forgetfulness, Poor concentration and mental fatigue, Increased stress sensitivity and high cortisol, Age-related cognitive decline.

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