Article Summary
Phosphatidylserine dosage for ADHD is 300mg if you’re an adult and 200mg for adolescents. It’s best taken in the morning with food to help with absorption. This is because PS is a phospholipid, and it’s best absorbed when taken with other fats, say, olive oil. If you don’t feel the effects right away, don’t write it off. Phosphatidylserine takes time to work for ADHD; sometimes it takes up to 4 weeks to start noticing results.
The ADHD Problem
The number of people who have ADHD is rising scarily fast. If you have trouble paying attention, controlling behavior, and managing impulsivity you may need to check with your doctor to see if you have ADHD.
ADHD is one of the most common neurobiological disorders of childhood that can also continue into adulthood. In fact, today, it’s getting more and more common for adults to have ADHD.
For many people, the symptoms of ADHD diminish or disappear as they grow older. However, as we just said, more and more people with this disorder have trouble managing their symptoms and continue to have trouble controlling their behavior into adulthood.
People with ADHD also have trouble planning and carrying out tasks, resisting distractions, maintaining focus, and responding appropriately to change. ADHD often co-occurs with other psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety, which makes it harder to manage symptoms of ADHD – it’s sort of a vicious cycle.
There’s good news though. Many lifestyle modifications can greatly diminish your ADHD symptoms, one of them being adding supplements like Phosphatidylserine. Another way to tackle ADHD is to identify and counteract the common co-occurring psychiatric conditions. Your doctor should be able to help you with this crucial first step.
Diagnosing ADHD
How is ADHD diagnosed? A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is made by a doctor when a person exhibits six or more symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity most of the day, for at least six months. A doctor may also recommend tests to determine if someone has the disorder and to rule out other causes of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity.
How is ADHD treated? ADHD treatment may include medication, psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, or a combination of treatments. The type of treatment chosen will depend on a person’s age, symptoms, and other health conditions. Phosphatidylserine is a safe, healthy, and natural way of attenuating some symptoms of ADHD, as shown in an increasing number of clinical studies.
Phosphatidylserine to the Rescue
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid that is naturally produced by our body and can be found in many foods.
As a nutrient, PS is found in different foods, and it can also be taken as a supplement.
So, we’ve looked over some statistics and theory, but how does PS work in practice? What does it feel like? Many people who take it report feeling more focused, less stressed, and generally cognitive sharper.
In terms of ADHD specifically, phosphatidylserine benefits ADHD by promoting calmness and reducing the symptoms of hyperactivity. It also promotes mental clarity and focus.
It also helps to maintain healthy levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which is responsible for memory, cognition and muscle control. Additionally, the phospholipid helps to regulate our mood and sleep patterns.
Levels of Phosphatidylserine go down as you get older, making it harder for your brain to function optimally. You may notice your focus and memory aren’t as sharp as they used to be. Granted, this could be due to other factors but these symptoms are common in people with low PS levels. To prevent this from happening, it is vital to consume more PS, either through supplements or food.
How Phosphatidylserine Affects ADHD
PS is found in high concentrations in the brain and as such, it has been studied as an ADHD treatment since researchers believe it may influence serotonergic neurotransmission by influencing release and re-uptake of brain chemicals. Sadly, research shows that PS levels are lower in children with ADHD than those without the disorder. But there’s also a silver lining to this; taking more PS in the form of supplements can help to restore the balance and diminish your ADHD symptoms in the process.
Research also reveals that there is an inverse relationship between symptom severity and lower PS levels. Despite the promising benefits, PS supplementation is not a widely studied or used therapy and the results of studies have been mixed – not all are glamurous. In children, a single dose of PS may reduce ADHD symptoms for up to 1–2 hours after administration, but its long-term efficacy is something we’ll need more studies on.
Despite this, it’s generally accepted that Phosphatidylserine is a nutrient that boosts attention, focus, and memory for those with ADHD. There’s a reason why it’s one of the only nutrients to be approved by FDA at the moment.
It also helps improve brain health by reducing inflammation. The FDA-approved supplement is easy to take, and it can be purchased in brands such as Thorne Research, Nature’s Bounty, or GNC. But PS alone obviously can’t do all the heavy lifting. L-theanine is another nutrient that goes well with Phosphatidylserine for ADHD. Derived from green tea, L-Theanine increases alpha brain waves and decreases anxiety. It also has a calming effect on those with ADHD symptoms.
What Dosage of Phosphatidylserine Works Best for ADHD
The dosage for ADHD & cognitive function is typically between 200mg per day, but this can be increased to 300mg for adults, or up to 400mg if you are taking it for memory loss or dementia. Factors that influence how much PS you should take include your age, metabolism, and whether your diet already has high amounts of phosphatidylserine. If you take Phosphatidylserine on an empty stomach, it should start working faster – although, the effects are not as noticeable immediately when compared to after several weeks of daily supplementations.
Safe Upper Limit of Phosphatidylserine for ADHD
The safe upper dosage for PS in the context of long-term supplementation is 300mg. Phosphatidylserine works best when taken daily for a month or two, after which it is recommended to take a break. The break can last anywhere between 2-4 weeks, after which you can begin a new “cycle” of supplementing phosphatidylserine.
The most common PS side effect is stomach discomfort. If this happens, stop taking it and contact your doctor.
Other Factors That Influence Phosphatidylserine’s Dosage for ADHD
Taken alone, Phosphatidylserine might provide some benefit, but it works best for ADHD when combined with other nootropics that help to improve cognitive function. Some of the best nootropics that go well with Phosphatidylserine include L-Theanine, Bacopa Monnieri, CDP-Choline, Lion’s Mane Mushroom, and Pine Bark Extract.
Other nootropics that go well with phosphatidylserine for ADHD specifically are:
- Alpha GPC
- Vinpocetine
- Rhodiola Rosea
These are all either nutrients or herbs, which means the risk of combining them is low. That being said, if you suffer from any sort of a condition it’s best to have a chat with your doctor before taking combining PS with other nootropics. The risk of side effects goes up if you’re taking medications, as well.
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