When you have high night-time cortisol it can cause you to wake in the middle of the night with anxiety and/or feeling like you’re having a panic attack. If your cortisol is really high in the early morning (outside of the normal range), you can also wake with a jolt and feelings of anxiety and panic. Seriphos, a phosphorylated serine product, can help to lower your high cortisol and eventually prevent these symptoms.
Today I’m addressing your questions about how to use Seriphos to lower high cortisol and help prevent an adrenaline-type surge – like dosing/timing at night and in the early morning, how long you can take it for, cortisol salivary testing, interactions, brands and another option to Seriphos.
Soma shared her symptoms on Facebook when I said I’d be taking questions:
Can feel the adrenaline rush “crash” over me. I responded so so to beta blockers but still having fitful sleep and occasional “shocks” into wakefulness in the night as if tragedy struck … fight or flight upon waking. Tremendous night sweats. Generally hyper vigilant as a person.
This is her question: “What dosage and when to take (how soon before bed) is recommended?”
Addressing dosage and timing is a good place to start (and a common question) but I asked her if she has done a 4-5x cortisol salivary collection to confirm that her night time cortisol is high. She has not done this simple and very effective adrenal test and I highly recommend it before using Seriphos. The reason is that low cortisol can often have similar symptoms to high cortisol and using Seriphos is going to make things worse.
What dosage and when to take Seriphos (how soon before bed) is recommended?
Assuming Soma has done the adrenal saliva test and knows her middle of the night cortisol (5th saliva collection) is high, using 1-3 capsules a few hours before the high cortisol seems to be most effective. For example, for 2-4 am waking this typically means taking Seriphos right before bed. In some instances, taking 1 on waking in the night can help too (for a maximum of 3).
If her late evening 10 pm (4th saliva collection) is high too, the dose can be split. For example, taking 1 Seriphos at 7- 8 pm (a few hours before the high cortisol at 10 pm) and 1-2 right before bed for the 2 -4 am high cortisol.
The bottle states to use 1 capsule with water 15 minutes before a meal. I’m really not sure why they state this.
How to use Seriphos for high morning cortisol and adrenaline surge on waking?
Syd asks this question about high morning cortisol (as confirmed by saliva adrenal testing):
Opinion about using it for confirmed high MORNING cortisol? (Yup, I know cortisol is supposed to be highest in the morning, but this is off the charts, literally, high.)
“Adrenaline surge” or “catecholamine surge” is exactly how I’ve explained it to people!! No cognitive worrying, just that surge.
Because Seriphos works best taken a few hours in advance of high cortisol, I typically have clients use Lactium in this situation. It’s a hydrolyzed casein product that also lowers high cortisol. If casein is an issue then Relora is another option. I’ve blogged about both – Lactium here and Relora here.
One other option is to experiment with Seriphos – using it in the morning and also trying it at bedtime.
Should I take two Seriphos? I wake halfway through the night
Anne asks this question:
I only take one capsule? Should I take two? I wake halfway through the night, usually due to a full bladder. I fall back to sleep easily if I use a CBD gummy. Tested high for cortisol throughout the day on a DUTCH complete test, which measures at least 4 times.
Anne has done a DUTCH test which includes 4 adrenal saliva collections but doesn’t know if her cortisol is high in the middle of the night. As mentioned above, 1-3 capsules of Seriphos is ideal so I have clients start with 1 and increase to 2 and then 3. Since her cortisol is high throughout the day she may do better using Seriphos in the day and continuing with CBD at night when she wakes.
She may also want to consider low GABA and/or low serotonin as factors causing her to not sleep through the night. This applies to anyone using Seriphos to lower high cortisol. More on amino acids below.
If she does have bladder issues addressing this is key too.
For how long can Seriphos be taken?
It is recommended to take a one-month break after 3 months of Seriphos use. Ideally, once some or all the root causes of high cortisol are addressed (like gluten, stress, parasites, infections, trauma etc), you should be able to stop anyway. Or take a break, retest cortisol and then continue.
Does Seriphos have any interactions? And is there any cohort who should not use it?
Someone asked about using Seriphos with a beta blocker and someone else asked about using it with a SSRI. I’m not aware of any medication interactions but it’s best to always discuss with the prescribing physician.
What brands make Seriphos and where can I find it?
There is only one product and it’s called Interplexis Seriphos. You can purchase this from my online store (Fullscript – only available to US customers – use this link to set up an account) and you can also find it on iherb (use this link to save 5%).
Since I mentioned Lactium above, Biotics Research De-Stress contains 150mg hydrolyzed casein or lactium. You can find this in my online Fullscript too – use this link to set up an account. For non-US customers, Life Extension Bioactive Milk Peptides also contains 150mg hydrolyzed casein or lactium (you’ll see casein decapeptide and lactium on the label.) You can find this on iherb (use this link to save 5%).
Additional resources when you are new to using amino acids as supplements
We use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low serotonin or low GABA and other neurotransmitter imbalances may be an issue for you.
If you suspect low levels of any of the neurotransmitters and do not yet have my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings, I highly recommend getting it and reading it before jumping in and using amino acids on your own so you are knowledgeable. And be sure to share it with the practitioner/health team you or your loved one is working with.
There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, gluten, blood sugar control, sugar cravings, anxiety and mood issues. The importance of quality animal protein is also covered.
The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs.
If, after reading this blog and my book, you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (i.e. doing the symptoms questionnaire and respective amino acids trials), a good place to get help is the GABA QuickStart Program (if you have low GABA symptoms too). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support.
If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. This is also a paid online/virtual program with an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.
Have you had success with Seriphos (or Lactium or Relora) to lower high cortisol and help with anxiety, panic and/or adrenaline-type surges?
Have you used Seriphos in combination with amino acids and dietary changes?
If you’re a practitioner do you use Seriphos with clients/patients?
Feel free to share and ask your questions below.
Thank you. Where to find the test you recommended in order to know if it is low or high cortisol?
Amir
There are a number of functional medicine labs that offer a 4 or 5 vial at-home saliva collection kit that us used to measure cortisol for the purposes of testing adrenal function. Other markers are often included too – DHEA and SIgA (Secretory IgA). Your functional medicine doctor, nutritionist, naturopath etc will be able to order it for you and help you with the results.
Hi Trudy
What are our options if our cortisol is really low and we are waking nightly in panic etc 2.30am?
thanks
Julie
Julue
Please see my response to Katherine. Have you looked into low blood sugar?
I’m going to do a follow-up blog on this aspect. If you could share what a typical day looks like in terms of what you eat /when you eat I’ll share feedback in the new blog.
Also share if you’ve used glutamine with any success (and how much/how often) and if you have any of the other low blood sugar symptoms:
Crave sugar, starch or alcohol any time during the day
Irritable, shaky, headachey – especially if too long between meals
Intense cravings for sweets
Lightheaded if meals are missed
Eating relieves fatigue
Agitated, easily upset, nervous
(from https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/)
My last 4 point cortisol test showed mine is low throughout the day. But I’m having episodes where I’m waking up in the mornings feeling a jolt (every time I wake up from sleeping) and sometimes also shaky & anxious. A functional pharmacist suggested my blood sugar may be dropping during the night and hypoglycemia could cause an adrenaline surge. I don’t know. I’m nervous to try something to lower cortisol when it seems mine is already too low.
Katherine
Seriphos is not the solution in this instance. Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar can do this and is often a factor with adrenal dysfunction. I have clients support their adrenals with a B complex, extra vitamin B5, adaptogenic herbs etc and eat to control blood sugar i.e. breakfast on waking with quality animal protein/healthy fats 3 x day, healthy snacks and some folks do well with a snack before bed. A protein smoothie in the morning is a good option too https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/anxiety-hypoglycemia-symptoms-diet-modification/
And glutamine is a key amino acid while the adrenals heal and the dietary changes are figured out – it helps with blood sugar stability and shakiness/anxiety. Adding GABA and tryptophan is often needed too (we use the symptoms questionnaire and do a trial). All 3 can be used before bed and during the night if needed.
I write about all this in the blood sugar chapter of my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
I’m going to do a follow-up blog on this aspect. If you could share what a typical day looks like in terms of what you eat /when you eat I’ll share feedback in the new blog.
Also share if you’ve used glutamine with any success (and how much/how often) and if you have any of the other low blood sugar symptoms:
Crave sugar, starch or alcohol any time during the day
Irritable, shaky, headachey – especially if too long between meals
Intense cravings for sweets
Lightheaded if meals are missed
Eating relieves fatigue
Agitated, easily upset, nervous
(from https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/)
Katherine
Here is the follow-up blog post where I share your question (thanks for asking it)
Waking with a jolt, feeling shaky and anxious: low blood sugar/hypoglycemia, glutamine and eating for blood sugar stability https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/waking-with-a-jolt-feeling-shaky-and-anxious-low-blood-sugar-hypoglycemia-glutamine-and-eating-for-blood-sugar-stability/
You can order your own test through ZRT Laboratories. That’s how I discovered my own issues.
Jackie
Thanks for sharing – I was not aware of that. I see there are some restrictions for certain states.
I do want to add that having guidance from a practitioner is really ideal.
Hi Trudy: I’ve taken Seriphos before after reading about it on one of your blogs. However, I did not first take the cortisol saliva test. This could be why I did not experience the benefits I was seeking. I do wake up in the middle of the night with a jolt of anxiety. I may fall back asleep after a bathroom break, but then I wake up hours before my alarm is set to go off. Then I cannot fall back asleep. It’s really messing up my mood and my life. I’m depressed and anxious every day. Is there an effective way of taking the Seriphos without taking the saliva test, which is pretty expensive? Thank you.
Annette
I don’t recommend Seriphos unless it’s clear symptoms are caused by high cortisol. If you read Katherine’s question and my feedback you can see that similar symptoms can show up with all low cortisol. The issue in this case is low blood sugar and this root cause needs to be addressed. Using Seriphos will make things worse.
Have you looked into low blood sugar?
I’m going to do a follow-up blog on this aspect. If you could share what a typical day looks like in terms of what you eat /when you eat I’ll share feedback in the new blog.
Also share if you’ve used glutamine with any success (and how much/how often) and if you have any of the other low blood sugar symptoms:
Crave sugar, starch or alcohol any time during the day
Irritable, shaky, headachey – especially if too long between meals
Intense cravings for sweets
Lightheaded if meals are missed
Eating relieves fatigue
Agitated, easily upset, nervous
(from https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/)
And there many other root causes to explore too – oxalates, gluten, caffeine, SIBO, parasites, toxins – as well as low GABA and low serotonin. This is all covered my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ other than the oxalates info which is here on the website
An adrenal saliva test should cost around $120 and is well worth it
Hi Trudy, I’ve had chronic insomnia since Jan 2024 but previously a great sleeper. I have only recently done the cortisol test it is high at midnight, 8am morning level is through the roof high and then drops to the lowest range of normal at midday. I find the adrenalin rushes start from just before midnight to around 3.30am. I’m currently taking GABA, magnesium, l-theanine, Evening Primrose and B6.
Also the test shows my Melatonin levels are high in the morning (29 pg/ml when range is 0-8 and through the roof at midday (e.g 42 pg/ml when the range is 0.0-3.0 pg/ml). I am waiting for Seriphos and Lactium delivery to come. Shall I try Seriphos at night and Lactium of a morning when I wake? How long do you find it takes to see some improvement in high cortisol and will this in turn then help regulate my melatonin levels? Many thanks, Melissa
Melissa
In situations like this I would have my client use Seriphos at bedtime and lactium in the early morning and sometimes mid to late morning depending on symptoms. I’ve seen cortisol start to shift in 1-3 months and symptoms start to improve in a week. I also like light therapy/full spectrum lamp as this helps to shift circadian rhythmn. Of course, we are also exploring and addressing why cortisol is high – gluten, caffeine, sugar, stress, trauma, parasites, mold, toxins, infections, oxalates etc.
I would expect melatonin to balance out once high cortisol and circadian rhythm is addressed but it’s not something I’ve tested.
Hi Trudy. Thanks so much for the advice. I have started taking 2 Seriphos around 7pm as the cortisol rushes are starting around 10-11pm and continues most nights until 3am. (which barely gives me 3 hours sleep). When do you suggest I take the 3rd Seriphos and should I also take Lactium in the early hours? Many thanks.
Hi Trudy- I’m so at a loss. My functional practitioner just recommended Progesterone for me due to my anxiety and waking in the middle of the night, either by my child or having to go pee, and not being able to fall back asleep. And he recommended Serophos if this didn’t work. The thing is is that I’ve always hard a hard time with falling back asleep and anxiety. In your questionnaire, I answered a lot for I think serotonin and catecholines. I don’t really want to be taking progesterone. I tried it once . I did sleep in but felt groggy in the morning.
Michelle
I have clients share their concerns with the functional practitioner and express what they’d rather do – like start with Seriphos. With Seriphos I always like to confirm that cortisol is high