Herb Profile
Phosphatidylserine
Botanical profile with evidence, safety, and practical fit.
Last reviewed: •4 human studies cited
B ModerateStandard caution — Generally safe Details
- Evidence
- Moderate Human Evidence
- Typical onset
- Varies by prep
- Safety rating
- Low caution
- Best for
- Cognitive Support, Cortisol Reduction, Neuroprotective, Stress
- Avoid / review if
- Anticoagulants (Theoretical)
Monograph visual
Phosphatidylserine
Generated profile category visual
Verdict: PhosphatidylserineMaybe
Best for
- Stress-related cortisol
- Cognitive support with aging
- Exercise-stress recovery
Not ideal for
- Acute anxiety
- Same-day focus
- Young, healthy users expecting large gains
- Evidence confidence
- Limited–moderate — older cognition trials plus some cortisol data
- Expected onset
- Weeks
- Give it
- 6–12 weeks
Bottom line: Phosphatidylserine has older trials for memory and some data on blunting stress cortisol — a plausible, low-risk option, though much of the best evidence used formulations no longer common.
Safety: Generally well tolerated; discuss with a clinician if you take blood thinners.
On the evidence: Some cognition and cortisol trials, several older and small; soy-derived differs from earlier bovine sources.
Consider instead: Ashwagandha — for the best-studied cortisol/stress option
How strong is the evidence?Limited–moderate
Why not higher
- Much of the strongest data is older and used different source material
- Modern soy-derived trials are smaller
- Effects are modest
Why not lower
- Multiple trials support memory and stress-cortisol benefits
- A clear role in cell-membrane and neuronal function
Practical takeaway: A reasonable, low-risk trial for stress-cortisol or age-related cognition over 6–12 weeks. Not a fast focus tool.
Where to go next — guides & comparisons
Start here — new to this? Begin with Best nootropics for focus
Continue reading
- If you want help with anxiety or stress → Anxiety & stress guides
- If you want sharper focus → Focus guides
- If you want to browse more herbs → All herbs
Safety & Cautions
Generally safe
90%
Low caution — well tolerated
Detailed safety fields
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and contraindications
- - Anticoagulants (Theoretical)
Full safety note
- - Generally safe
Evidence-based safety
Caution when combined
These pairings share a flagged risk mechanism. They are additive-effect cautions derived from contraindication data, not confirmed clinical interactions. Consult a clinician before combining.
High-Priority Caution
147 flagged pairingsBleeding / anticoagulant risk
High-Priority Caution
147 flagged pairingsBleeding / anticoagulant risk
Browse the grouped cautions below. The list scrolls inside this card when long.
Bleeding / anticoagulant risk
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- Angelica Dahurica
- Angelica Pubescens
- Angelica Root
- Angelica Sinensis
- Arjuna
- Artemisia Capillaris
- Artichoke
- Ashitaba
- Ashitaba Extract
- Astaxanthin
- Berberis
- Black Seed
- Black Seed Oil
- Blueberry
- Boldo
- Boswellia
- Capsicum
- Caraway
- Carnitine L Tartrate
- Cayenne
- Chamomile
- Chinese Skullcap
- Chuanxiong
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- Clove
- Cnidium Monnieri
- Coleus Forskohlii
- Commiphora Mukul
- Coenzyme Q10
- Cordyceps
- Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
- crocetin
- crocin
- cryptotanshinone
- Curcuma Wenyujin
- Curcumin
- Damiana
- Danshen
- Devils Claw Extract
- Dong Quai
- EGCG
- Epimedium
- Epimedium Brevicornum
- Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
- Fenugreek
- Fenugreek Extract
- ferulic acid
- Feverfew
- Fisetin
- forskolin
- Fraxinus Rhynchophylla
- Fucoxanthin
- Galangal
- Reishi
- Garcinia Mangostana
- Garlic (Allium sativum)
- Garlic Aged Extract
- Garlic Extract
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
- Ginkgo
- Ginkgo Biloba Extract
- Ginkgo Extract EGb 761
- Panax Red Ginseng
- Panax White Ginseng
- ginsenoside rg3
- Glucosamine
- Goldenseal
- Lion's Mane
- Holy Basil / Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
- Horse Chestnut
- hydroxytyrosol
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- Ligusticum Chuanxiong
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- Nettle Root
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- Noni
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- Ocimum Basilicum
- Olive Leaf Extract
- Oregano
- Paeonia Lactiflora
- Asian Ginseng
- Panax Ginseng Extract
- Papaya Leaf
- Pastinaca Sativa
- Pau D'arco
- Perilla
- Piper Longum
- Bifidobacterium Probiotic
- Lactobacillus Probiotic
- Probiotics - Bifidobacterium spp.
- Probiotics - Lactobacillus spp.
- Psoralea Corylifolia
- Pycnogenol
- Quercetin
- Quercetin Phytosome
- Red Clover
- Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
- Resveratrol
- Rhodiola Extract SHR-5
- Rose Hips
- Rosemary
- Saffron
- Saffron Extract
- Salvia miltiorrhiza
- Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
- Saw Palmetto Extract
- Schisandra Berry
- Schisandra Chinensis
- Scutellaria Baicalensis
- Selaginella Tamariscina
- Soybean
- Syzygium Aromaticum
- Terminalia arjuna
- Thunder God Vine
- Thyme
- Tongkat Ali
- Trans-Resveratrol
- Fenugreek
- Tripterygium Wilfordii
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
- Turmeric Curcumin + Piperine
- Valerian
- Vitamin D3 + K2
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- Willow Bark Extract
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Evidence Summary
Evidence lens
Useful signal, but study design, dose, and population still matter.
ModerateModerate Human Evidence
Human clinical evidence: Present in source signals
Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped — Cellular Protection · Hormonal Signaling Context · Stress Response Modulation
Research maturity: More interpretable — Long Term Human Evidence May Be Limited.
Safety boundary: Safety note available — Generally safe
This profile cites 4 human studies.
How evidence grades work
Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.
A
Strong
Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
B
Moderate
Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
C
Preliminary / Mixed
Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
D
Traditional / Theoretical
Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (4)Cited studies informing this profile. RCTs and reviews shown first.
| Study | Type | Sample | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Phosphatidylserine and the human brain Glade MJ et al. (2015) | — | — | PubMed → |
Deficient Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondrial Phosphatidylserine Transfer Causes Liver Disease Hernández-Alvarez MI et al. (2019) | — | — | PubMed → |
Phosphatidylethanolamine Metabolism in Health and Disease Calzada E et al. (2016) | — | — | PubMed → |
PubMed | — | — | PubMed → |
Dosing & Timing
Dose guidance
100 300 mg/day
How Phosphatidylserine Works
Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.
Mechanism Pathway — How Phosphatidylserine Works
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & Biological Pathways
Preclinical pathways
Proposed mechanisms from in vitro and animal research; these do not confirm clinical outcomes in humans.
Cellular ProtectionHormonal Signaling ContextStress Response ModulationNeuroprotective Activity
Condition guides
Compare & Sourcing
Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.
Review available sources for Phosphatidylserine
Independent database mapping — evaluated separately from safety and efficacy scores.
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Safety first · Harm reduction
This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.
Editorial Review
Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.
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Botanical profile context
How to interpret Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine dosage ranges, effects, drug interactions, and harm-reduction safety guide for cognitive support. Moderate Human Evidence research evidence. Use this herb profile as a starting point for evidence review, not as a recommendation to start a new supplement. Botanical products can vary by plant part, extract ratio, standardization, dose, and contaminant testing, so two labels with the same common name may not behave the same way.
When reviewing Phosphatidylserine, compare the traditional-use context against the human evidence, mechanism notes, and safety cautions. Pay special attention to pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver or kidney disease, blood-pressure effects, sedation, stimulation, anticoagulant use, antidepressants, and any prescription medication overlap.
For product decisions, prefer transparent labels, named extracts, clear serving sizes, and third-party quality testing. Avoid treating a long list of possible mechanisms as proof that an herb will solve a specific condition.