Taking Phosphatidylserine for anxiety symptoms and stress relief works by balancing and controlling hormone levels in the brain.
Anxiety is a clinical diagnosis which includes various forms of specific emotional distress, such as PTSD, common phobias, OCD, and panic attacks.
Symptoms associated with the disorder can include nervous, high energy, imbalanced feelings, disruptions of sleep patterns and an inability to focus. Anxiety is typically treated with pharmaceuticals such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Benzodiazepines.
However, due to the prevalence of side effects and withdrawal concerns, many people suffering from the mood disorder are turning to natural supplements like Phosphatidylserine pills for anxiety relief. Here’s what we know so far about this natural remedy.



- Supports memory function & cognition
- Boosts neuron health & communication
- May improve mood, sleep & relaxation
Cortisol And Anxiety
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To understand how to beat anxiety, it’s important to understand some of the chemistry that fuels it.
When you perceive stressful situations, your adrenal cortex releases a steroid hormone called cortisol, which initiates several “fight or flight” responses in your body.
This response is designed to protect you in case of life or death emergency. Unfortunately, an anxiety attack can convince the body that it must go into this alert mode, and cortisol goes to work ramping up metabolism and elevating heart rate.
For someone already suffering form anxiety, these chemical spikes can seriously exacerbate stressful thoughts, creating a negative cycle which could lead to more serious symptoms. Bad digestion, lowered libido, and odd weight fluctuations also accompany excess cortisol.
Phosphatidylserine for Anxiety and Stress
Taking Phosphatidylserine for anxiety targets this extra cortisol and eliminates it. Phosphatidylserine’s job in the body is to regulate cell metabolism and structural integrity.
In fact, it is built into every cell in our bodies, in the form of a phospholipid. It reinforces cell membranes, delivers nutrients and expels waste – all of these are regulators of metabolism. So, if cortisol is causing false spikes in these metabolic processes, supplementing with additional Phosphatidylserine can bring hormone levels back into balance.
Phosphatidylserine also contains choline, one of the most important nutrients for brain health and mental clarity. Similar to B vitamins, choline and its product, acetylcholine, reduce stress in the brain by facilitating the transmission of messages between cells and literally blocking stress messages.
The subjective feeling for the user is increased mental focus and ability to concentrate, along with gentle mood lifting. This is the perfect remedy for mild to severe anxiety attacks.
Exercise-Related Anxiety Benefits of Phosphatidylserine
One common cure for stress and anxiety is exercise. In addition to the meditative aspects of many types of sports, vigorous movement promotes excellent circulation, moving toxins out of the body and increasing flow of oxygen to the brain and organs.
A cleaner, more efficiently running body can be a powerful, stabilizing ally when an anxiety attack comes. Unfortunately, very heavy exercise also spurs the release of more cortisol and can keep the body’s systems in an intensely heightened state.
One way that taking Phosphatidylserine for anxiety works is by moderating this hormonal response to exercise. In fact, Phosphatidylserine has grown very popular in the bodybuilding community because it reduces the stress and recovery related to challenging workouts and makes it easier to deliver peak performance. Athletes also like that Phosphatidylserine’s metabolic power is a factor in enhanced fat burning.
It is also commonly used as a sleep aid.
Are Food Sources of Phosphatidylserine Adequate?
Phosphatidylserine can be found in various natural food sources. Unfortunately, these sources are far from appetizing. Cow brain, pig’s spleen, and chicken hearts are the most potent Phosphatidylserine foods. Most people would be reluctant to eat these foods in sufficient quantities to meet the recommended Phosphatidylserine dose of 300 mg per day.
The challenge is compounded by the recommendation that Phosphatidylserine be taken in three sittings over the course of the day. Pig’s spleen even once a day seems like a stretch. Supplementation is an easy, safe, and affordable way to give the body the boost it needs to beat anxiety.
Maximizing Benefits of Phosphatidylserine for Anxiety By Stacking
There are a whole host of naturally occurring nutrients like amino acids that can help counter the effects of anxiety. Many people who take Phosphatidylserine for anxiety combine it with other nootropic supplements to intensify the benefits.
When Phosphatidylserine is difficult to find, these other supplements can be taken on their own to achieve similar benefits. One the most popular stacks taken for stress relief adds 5-HTP to Phosphatidylserine. This is known as a clear energy combo, perfect for morning.
Another very potent stack combines Uridine at 250mg, CDP-Choline at 250mg, Acetyl-L-Carnitine at 1.5g, and Phosphatidylserine at 400mg. This stack may be too elaborate for daily use, but would work well if taken in advance of any conditions that might be known to bring anxiety, such as a particular social event.
There are no known side effects that come with taking Phosphatidylserine for anxiety. This is in stark contrast to the long list of side effects associated with prescription anxiety meds like Klonopin, not the least of which being potential addiction. Phosphatidylserine is safe, non-addictive, and effective at reducing anxiety symptoms, and represents an exciting new trend in mental health care.
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Article last updated on: March 25th, 2018 by Nootriment