supplement
Phosphatidylserine
Also known as PS, Soy phosphatidylserine
Phospholipid concentrated in neuronal cell membranes, now typically sourced from soy or sunflower lecithin; small trials suggest a reduced cortisol response to exercise stress and modest cognitive benefit in age-related decline.
Be careful if: pregnant, breastfeeding, some medical situations
Suspect a side effect? Report it to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme ↗
2linked conditions
20linked studies
Evidence
What the research actually shows
We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.
Safety
Safety and considerations
What sources report about side effects, who should be careful, and medicines to ask about first.
Be careful if you…
| Applies to | What sources say | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| pregnant | No pregnancy safety guidance found in any chain source checked (no UK SmPC, BNF/NICE, NHS, NIH ODS or EMA HMPC entry exists for phosphatidylserine); the safety trial was in older adults (mean age ~60+) and reports no pregnancy data. Not studied in pregnancy — assume nothing and ask a clinician. | Jorissen BL, et al. Safety of soy-derived phosphatidylserine in elderly people. Nutr Neurosci 2002;5(5):337-43 (PMID 12385596) |
| breastfeeding | No breastfeeding safety guidance found in any chain source checked (no UK SmPC, BNF/NICE, NHS, NIH ODS or EMA HMPC entry exists for phosphatidylserine); no lactation data in the safety trial. Not studied while breastfeeding — assume nothing and ask a clinician. | Jorissen BL, et al. Safety of soy-derived phosphatidylserine in elderly people. Nutr Neurosci 2002;5(5):337-43 (PMID 12385596) |
| some medical situations | Provenance varies between products: the cited safety trial studied soy-derived PS (300-600 mg/day for 12 weeks in 120 older adults — no significant differences vs placebo in biochemistry, haematology, blood pressure or adverse events); earlier research used bovine brain-cortex-derived PS. Check the product label for the source. | Jorissen BL, et al. Safety of soy-derived phosphatidylserine in elderly people. Nutr Neurosci 2002;5(5):337-43 (PMID 12385596) |
Suggested uses (unproven)
Where people report using it and what trials suggest
- Weak evidenceMemory in ageing (older trials)
- Weak evidenceCortisol response to stress (small)
Where the evidence is negative
Common claims the trials do not support
- Modern soy-derived trials largely failed to replicate older bovine-cortex results.
- Sports-performance claims industry-driven.
Phospholipid with ageing-memory trials from the 1990s (often bovine-derived then) and weak modern replication.
Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.
20studies referenced
16journals
2018–2025publication range
Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.
01Effects of acute exercise on cognitive function: A meta-review of 30 systematic reviews with meta-analysesChang YK, et al. · Psychological bulletin · 2025PMID 39883421 ↗02Piriformis syndrome: a systematic review of case reportsMonteleone G, et al. · BMC surgery · 2025PMID 41068685 ↗03Recent advances and controversial issues in the optimal management of asymptomatic carotid stenosisParaskevas KI, et al. · Journal of vascular surgery · 2024PMID 37939746 ↗04Impact of one night of sleep restriction on sleepiness and cognitive function: A systematic review and meta-analysisWüst LN, et al. · Sleep medicine reviews · 2024PMID 38759474 ↗05The effectiveness of visual-based interventions on health literacy in health care: a systematic review and meta-analysisGalmarini E, et al. · BMC health services research · 2024PMID 38862966 ↗06A systematic review and meta-analysis of cortisol levels in Plasmodium infectionsKotepui KU, et al. · Scientific reports · 2024PMID 39107355 ↗Show all 20 studies
07Meta-analysis identifies key genes and pathways implicated in Benzo[a]pyrene exposure responseZhu M, et al. · Chemosphere · 2024PMID 39154768 ↗08Treatment Efficacy of Pharmacotherapies for Frontotemporal Dementia: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsHuang MH, et al. · The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry · 2023PMID 37633762 ↗09Clinical EFT as an evidence-based practice for the treatment of psychological and physiological conditions: A systematic reviewChurch D, et al. · Frontiers in psychology · 2022PMID 36438382 ↗10Traumatic stress and accelerated DNA methylation age: A meta-analysisWolf EJ, et al. · Psychoneuroendocrinology · 2018PMID 29452766 ↗11evoke and evoke+: design of two large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 studies evaluating efficacy, safety, and tolerability of semaglutide in early-stage symptomatic Alzheimer's diseaseCummings JL, et al. · Alzheimer's research & therapy · 2025PMID 39780249 ↗12A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of doxazosin for posttraumatic distressing dreams and sleep disturbance in men and women with posttraumatic stressRichards A, et al. · Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine · 2025PMID 41042258 ↗13Updated safety results from phase 3 lecanemab study in early Alzheimer's diseaseHonig LS, et al. · Alzheimer's research & therapy · 2024PMID 38730496 ↗14Trial of Solanezumab in Preclinical Alzheimer's DiseaseSperling RA, et al. · The New England journal of medicine · 2023PMID 37458272 ↗15Effects of virtual reality-based motor control training on inflammation, oxidative stress, neuroplasticity and upper limb motor function in patients with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trialHuang CY, et al. · BMC neurology · 2022PMID 35016629 ↗16Methylprednisolone for Heart Surgery in Infants - A Randomized, Controlled TrialHill KD, et al. · The New England journal of medicine · 2022PMID 36342116 ↗17A Magtein(®), Magnesium L-Threonate, -Based Formula Improves Brain Cognitive Functions in Healthy Chinese AdultsZhang C, et al. · Nutrients · 2022PMID 36558392 ↗18Donanemab in Early Alzheimer's DiseaseMintun MA, et al. · The New England journal of medicine · 2021PMID 33720637 ↗19MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 studyMitchell JM, et al. · Nature medicine · 2021PMID 33972795 ↗20Intranasal Oxytocin in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum DisorderSikich L, et al. · The New England journal of medicine · 2021PMID 34644471 ↗
Published research summaries are unavailable.
Outcomes & conditions
Outcomes & conditions →Why people look into Phosphatidylserine — and what they report
Associated conditions and community-reported outcomes, wrapped together on one page. Aggregates appear only once enough reports arrive.
Important: This page reflects observational, aggregate-only community reporting and independent published research. It is not medical advice, and it does not claim any compound treats, cures, or is effective for any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or treatment.
Availability
Where to get Phosphatidylserine (UK)
How this compound is sold in the UK, and where our readers typically find it.
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