100 mg · gluten-free · 120 caps
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Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid that constitutes 10–20 % of brain cell membrane phospholipids. When taken in the evening, PS blunts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to stress, reducing circulating cortisol and creating the hormonal conditions necessary for restorative sleep.
PS modulates corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor sensitivity in the hypothalamus and alters ACTH-cortisol feedback loops. By reducing CRF-driven ACTH release, evening PS lowers circulating cortisol — the primary catabolic hormone that disrupts sleep architecture, suppresses melatonin and causes nocturnal awakenings.
Individuals with elevated evening cortisol, stress-related insomnia, the "wired and tired" pattern (fatigued by day but alert at night), and athletes or professionals experiencing overtraining or burnout-related sleep disruption.
Avoid if you have a known soy or cabbage allergy (some PS is soy-derived). Use caution in hypotension as PS may lower blood pressure slightly. Side effects: Very well tolerated; rare mild GI upset, headache or insomnia if taken too late at night. No significant toxicity documented.
A plain-English read of the literature behind this supplement. Not a clinical recommendation.
Key citations: PMID 1325348 (Monteleone 1992 — PS 800 mg/day for 10 days significantly blunts ACTH and cortisol responses to exercise stress), PMC2503954 (Starks 2008 — 600 mg PS/day blunts cortisol AUC by 35 % and improves testosterone:cortisol ratio during exercise), 11842886 (Benton 2001 — 300 mg PS/day for 1 month improves mood and reduces stress response in young adults)
SacredBod's longer take on Phosphatidylserine Evening — context the structured blocks above don't capture.
Phosphatidylserine Evening provides the phospholipid that makes up 10–20 % of your brain’s cell membrane phospholipids — but taken at a specific time (evening) for a specific purpose (cortisol blunting). While PS is widely known as a cognitive supplement for memory and focus, its evening application is distinct: by modulating hypothalamic CRF receptor sensitivity, PS reduces the HPA-axis drive that elevates cortisol at night — the hormonal enemy of restorative sleep. In India, PS is available through imported brands and a growing number of domestic supplement companies.
| Goal | Dose | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Evening cortisol blunting | 100–300 mg | With dinner (6–8 PM) |
| Intensive stress/athletic support | 600–800 mg | Divided: 300 mg morning, 300–500 mg evening |
| Sleep-specific support | 100–200 mg | With evening meal |
PS is a phospholipid and requires dietary fat for absorption. Take with a meal containing ghee, nuts, avocado or fatty fish. Soy-free options (Sharp-PS® Green, derived from sunflower lecithin) are available for those with soy sensitivity.
PS is extremely safe. It is a natural cell membrane component with GRAS status. The only caution: very high doses (>800 mg) may have mild anticoagulant effects. PS can theoretically reduce blood pressure — monitor if you are hypotensive or on antihypertensives. Space 4 hours from levothyroxine.
Phosphatidylserine does not appear in classical Ayurvedic texts — phospholipids were not identified as distinct biochemical entities until the 20th century. However, the principle of using lipid-rich foods (ghee, nuts, sesame oil) for brain and nervous system health is central to Ayurvedic Medhya Rasayana therapy. Ghee (Ghrita) is specifically classified as Medhya (intellect-promoting) and Buddhivardhana (intelligence-enhancing). Modern PS supplementation can be viewed as a concentrated, standardised form of the phospholipid nourishment that traditional Indian diets provided through whole foods. Integrative practitioners may combine evening PS with Ashwagandha or Brahmi for comprehensive HPA-axis and sleep support.
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