Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid concentrated in brain-cell membranes, studied both for cortisol blunting around stress and exercise and for age-related memory.

Some trials suggest supplemental PS can dampen the cortisol response to acute stress or overtraining and give modest cognitive support in older adults, though effects are inconsistent and many early studies used a bovine-brain source no longer sold (plant-derived is now standard). Promising but not settled.

Sources

• PubMed: phosphatidylserine supplementation cortisol memory (research overview)