Bacopa Monnieri

Last Updated: July 17, 2023

Bacopa monnieri is a nootropic herb that has been used in traditional medicine for longevity and cognitive enhancement. Supplementation can improve memory, at least in the short-term, and there may be some mental health benefits.

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Bacopa Monnieri is most often used for

What is Bacopa monnieri?

Bacopa monnieri, or water hyssop, is a creeping marsh plant commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is often taken to improve cognitive function and memory, relieve stress and anxiety, and enhance general mood and vitality.[6] Bacopa monnieri likely interacts with the dopamine, serotonin, and cholinergic systems, and it may promote neuronal communication by increasing the growth of dendrites (branches off of neurons). Bacopa monnieri also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.[7]

What are Bacopa monnieri’s main benefits?

Bacopa monnieri may produce a small improvement in memory, but the effect is inconsistent across different tests, scenarios, and populations, making it difficult to ascertain specifically when and for whom it’s most beneficial. A 2014 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials reported that Bacopa monnieri has the potential to improve cognition, especially speed of attention.[1] However, a 2021 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials did not find clinically meaningful differences for any nootropic, neuroprotective, or mood-related outcomes in participants who took Bacopa monnieri compared to participants who did not. The study population included adults with and without memory loss (analyzed separately). Any positive effects that were noted in the included trials were small, and no two trials found significant changes across the same neuropsychological tests.[8] A 2022 systematic review on the use of Bacopa for Alzheimer’s disease also reported no clinically meaningful differences with Bacopa monnieri treatment.[7] Moreover, many of the trials that do report cognitive benefits from Bacopa monnieri fail to adjust for multiple comparisons despite measuring a number of different outcomes,[9] and the cognitive tests that are used are not always appropriate for the population being studied.[10]

There is some preliminary research suggesting that Bacopa monnieri could have antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, possibly by reducing cortisol secretion and the depletion of dopamine and serotonin during chronic stress, but more research is needed to confirm this effect.[8][7]

Overall, the evidence for Bacopa monnieri is too heterogeneous to come to a firm conclusion about efficacy. It might improve some aspects of memory, cognition, and mood in certain people, but it could also have no substantial effects on any aspects of health.

Could Bacopa monnieri benefit children?

What else is Bacopa monnieri used to treat?

What are Bacopa monnieri’s main drawbacks?

The most common adverse effects of Bacopa monnieri are gastrointestinal issues like nausea, cramping, bloating, and diarrhea, as well as dry mouth.[1][8] This could be related to Bacopa monnieri’s cholinergic properties, or gastric irritation from the bacoside compounds.[11] There are also reports of flu-like symptoms occurring after taking Bacopa, as well as a reduction in the number of dreams.[1] Not all studies report adverse events, so other negative reactions are possible. Anecdotally, some people experience a lack of motivation after taking Bacopa, likely due to its anxiolytic (anxiety reducing) effects.[12] A rat study reported a reversible decrease in sperm count, motility, and viability at a dose of 250 mg/kg/day, but there are no human studies on Bacopa and fertility.[13]

Could Bacopa monnieri interact with medications?

How does Bacopa monnieri work?

The exact mechanisms by which Bacopa monnieri confers any potential benefits are not fully understood, but they are likely a byproduct of the main active components of Bacopa monnieri, particularly saponins (e.g., bacoside-A and bacoside-B), alkaloids, and polyphenols.[14] In vitro studies find that bacosides could be neuroprotective and may actually enhance neurotransmission and synaptic activity, partly by stimulating the proliferation of branches (dendrites) off of neurons. Bacosides may also modulate stress hormones within the brain and positively interact with the serotonin, dopamine, and cholinergic systems, which helps to explain Bacopa’s possible mood-related effects.[15][7] Furthermore, Bacopa monnieri has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.[16]

Does Bacopa monnieri work better in combination with other supplements?

What else is Bacopa Monnieri known as?
Note that Bacopa Monnieri is also known as:
  • Brahmi
  • Aindri
  • Lysimachia Monnieri L. Cent.
  • Graticola Monnieri L.
  • Herpestis Monniera L. Kunth.
  • Water Hyssop
  • Thyme-leafed Gratiola
  • Indian Pennywort
  • Jalabrahmi
Bacopa Monnieri should not be confused with:
Dosage information

The most common dose for Bacopa monnieri is 300 mg per day, assuming that the total bacoside content (the active compound) is approximately 55% of the extract by weight. Doses of up to 600 mg per day have been used in some studies.[1] A phase I study found doses of 300 mg and 450 mg per day to be safe in healthy adults.[2] Higher doses don’t necessarily equate with greater effects.[3]

Bacopa monnieri is fat soluble and requires a lipid transporter to be absorbed, so it should be supplemented alongside a meal. Historically, Bacopa monnieri was consumed with ghee, a clarified butter that originated in India.[4]

Bacopa monnieri should be stored at 30℃ (86℉) or lower, with a relative humidity of 65% or less. The bacopaside content of the supplement will decrease if it is kept at higher temperatures.[5]

Examine Database: Bacopa Monnieri
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Update History
2023-07-17 16:56:10

FAQ and database update

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We added newly published studies to our FAQs and database.We also added some new safety details.

Written By

Rachel Hathcock

Reviewed By

Nick Milazzo
References
  1. ^Kongkeaw C, Dilokthornsakul P, Thanarangsarit P, Limpeanchob N, Norman Scholfield CMeta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract.J Ethnopharmacol.(2014)
  2. ^Pravina K, Ravindra KR, Goudar KS, Vinod DR, Joshua AJ, Wasim P, Venkateshwarlu K, Saxena VS, Amit ASafety evaluation of BacoMind in healthy volunteers: a phase I study.Phytomedicine.(2007-May)
  3. ^Luke A Downey, James Kean, Fiona Nemeh, Angela Lau, Alex Poll, Rebecca Gregory, Margaret Murray, Johanna Rourke, Brigit Patak, Matthew P Pase, Andrea Zangara, Justine Lomas, Andrew Scholey, Con StoughAn acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 320 mg and 640 mg doses of a special extract of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on sustained cognitive performancePhytother Res.(2013 Sep)
  4. ^Yadav KD, Reddy KR, Agarwal APreliminary physico-chemical profile of Brahmi Ghrita.Ayu.(2013-Jul)
  5. ^Srivastava P, Raut HN, Puntambekar HM, Desai ACStability studies of crude plant material of Bacopa monnieri and quantitative determination of bacopaside I and bacoside A by HPLC.Phytochem Anal.(2012)
  6. ^Sukumaran NP, Amalraj A, Gopi SNeuropharmacological and cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst - A review on its mechanistic aspects.Complement Ther Med.(2019-Jun)
  7. ^Aneesh Basheer, Ayush Agarwal, Biswamohan Misra, Anu Gupta, Padma Srivastava, Richard Kirubakaran, Venugopalan VishnuBacopa monnieri in the treatment of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review of randomised controlled trialsInteract J Med Res.(2022 May 25)
  8. ^James M Brimson, Sirikalaya Brimson, Mani Iyer Prasanth, Premrutai Thitilertdecha, Dicson Sheeja Malar, Tewin TencomnaoThe effectiveness of Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst. as a nootropic, neuroprotective, or antidepressant supplement: analysis of the available clinical dataSci Rep.(2021 Jan 12)
  9. ^Roodenrys S, Booth D, Bulzomi S, Phipps A, Micallef C, Smoker JChronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memoryNeuropsychopharmacology.(2002 Aug)
  10. ^Agarwal A, Mishra B, Gupta A, Srivastava MVP, Basheer A, Sharma J, Vishnu VYImportance of high-quality evidence regarding the use of Bacopa monnieri in dementia.Front Aging Neurosci.(2023)
  11. ^Annette Morgan, John StevensDoes Bacopa monnieri improve memory performance in older persons? Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trialJ Altern Complement Med.(2010 Jul)
  12. ^Sarah Benson, Luke A Downey, Con Stough, Mark Wetherell, Andrea Zangara, Andrew ScholeyAn acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study of 320 mg and 640 mg doses of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on multitasking stress reactivity and moodPhytother Res.(2014 Apr)
  13. ^Singh A, Singh SKEvaluation of antifertility potential of Brahmi in male mouse.Contraception.(2009-Jan)
  14. ^Aguiar S, Borowski TNeuropharmacological review of the nootropic herb Bacopa monnieri.Rejuvenation Res.(2013-Aug)
  15. ^Charles PD, Ambigapathy G, Geraldine P, Akbarsha MA, Rajan KEBacopa monniera leaf extract up-regulates tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH2) and serotonin transporter (SERT) expression: implications in memory formation.J Ethnopharmacol.(2011-Mar-08)
  16. ^Mukherjee S, Dugad S, Bhandare R, Pawar N, Jagtap S, Pawar PK, Kulkarni OEvaluation of comparative free-radical quenching potential of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Mandookparni (Centella asiatica).Ayu.(2011-Apr)
  17. ^Nathan PJ, Tanner S, Lloyd J, Harrison B, Curran L, Oliver C, Stough CEffects of a combined extract of Ginkgo biloba and Bacopa monniera on cognitive function in healthy humansHum Psychopharmacol.(2004 Mar)
  18. ^A F Cicero, M Bove, A Colletti, M Rizzo, F Fogacci, M Giovannini, C BorghiShort-Term Impact of a Combined Nutraceutical on Cognitive Function, Perceived Stress and Depression in Young Elderly with Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot, Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical TrialJ Prev Alzheimers Dis.(2017)
  19. ^Kalpana Velmurugan, Jawed Alam, Joe M McCord, Subbiah PugazhenthiSynergistic induction of heme oxygenase-1 by the components of the antioxidant supplement ProtandimFree Radic Biol Med.(2009 Feb 1)
  20. ^Ramanathan M, Balaji B, Justin ABehavioural and neurochemical evaluation of Perment an herbal formulation in chronic unpredictable mild stress induced depressive model.Indian J Exp Biol.(2011-Apr)
  21. ^Pinzauti S, Dal Piaz VUse of tetraphenylboron sodium in the potentiometric determination of the organic bases of pharmaceutical interest.Boll Chim Farm.(1972-Aug)
  22. ^Waly N, Aborehab N, Bishbishy MChemical fingerprint of Bacopa monnieri L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. and their neuroprotective activity against Alzheimers disease in rat models putative modulation via cholinergic and monoaminergic pathwaysJ of Medicinal Plant Research.(2019 JUN)
  23. ^Kean JD, Downey LA, Stough CA systematic review of the Ayurvedic medicinal herb Bacopa monnieri in child and adolescent populations.Complement Ther Med.(2016-Dec)
  24. ^Kean JD, Downey LA, Sarris J, Kaufman J, Zangara A, Stough CEffects of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08®) in a population of males exhibiting inattention and hyperactivity aged 6 to 14 years: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Phytother Res.(2022-Feb)
  25. ^Mishra A, Mishra AK, Ghosh AK, Jha SStandardization of a traditional polyherbo-mineral formulation - Brahmi vati.Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med.(2013)
  26. ^Mathew J, Paul J, Nandhu MS, Paulose CSBacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A for ameliorating epilepsy associated behavioral deficits.Fitoterapia.(2010-Jul)
  27. ^Sharath R, Harish BG, Krishna V, Sathyanarayana BN, Swamy HMWound healing and protease inhibition activity of Bacoside-A, isolated from Bacopa monnieri wettest.Phytother Res.(2010-Aug)
  28. ^Fatima U, Roy S, Ahmad S, Ali S, Elkady WM, Khan I, Alsaffar RM, Adnan M, Islam A, Hassan MIPharmacological attributes of extract: Current updates and clinical manifestation.Front Nutr.(2022)
  29. ^Bhaskar M, Jagtap AGExploring the possible mechanisms of action behind the antinociceptive activity of Bacopa monniera.Int J Ayurveda Res.(2011-Jan)
  30. ^Santos AFD, Souza MMQ, Amaral EC, Albuquerque ER, Bortoloti DS, Gasparotto Junior A, Lourenço ELB, Lovato ECW, Lívero FADRin Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study.J Med Food.(2023-Feb)
  31. ^Ramasamy S, Kiew LV, Chung LYInhibition of human cytochrome P450 enzymes by Bacopa monnieri standardized extract and constituents.Molecules.(2014-Feb-24)
  32. ^Acquarulo B, Tandon P, Macica CMSuspected cholinergic toxicity due to cevimeline hydrochloride and Bacopa monnieri interaction: a case report.J Med Case Rep.(2022-Jun-29)
  33. ^Kar A, Panda S, Bharti SRelative efficacy of three medicinal plant extracts in the alteration of thyroid hormone concentrations in male mice.J Ethnopharmacol.(2002-Jul)
Examine Database References
  1. Anhedonia - Laura Micheli, Silvia Spitoni, Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli, Anna Rita Bilia, Carla Ghelardini, Stefano PallantiBacopa monnieri as augmentation therapy in the treatment of anhedonia, preclinical and clinical evaluationPhytother Res.(2020 Sep)
  2. Monocyte Count - Harshad C, et alEfficacy and Tolerability of BacoMind® on Memory Improvement in Elderly Participants - A Double Blind Placebo Controlled StudyJ Pharmacol Toxicol.()
  3. Memory - Annette Morgan, John StevensDoes Bacopa monnieri improve memory performance in older persons? Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trialJ Altern Complement Med.(2010 Jul)
  4. Memory - Raghav S, Singh H, Dalal PK, Srivastava JS, Asthana OPRandomized controlled trial of standardized Bacopa monniera extract in age-associated memory impairmentIndian J Psychiatry.(2006 Oct)
  5. Stress Signs and Symptoms - Luke A Downey, James Kean, Fiona Nemeh, Angela Lau, Alex Poll, Rebecca Gregory, Margaret Murray, Johanna Rourke, Brigit Patak, Matthew P Pase, Andrea Zangara, Justine Lomas, Andrew Scholey, Con StoughAn acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 320 mg and 640 mg doses of a special extract of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on sustained cognitive performancePhytother Res.(2013 Sep)
  6. Memory - Calabrese C, Gregory WL, Leo M, Kraemer D, Bone K, Oken BEffects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialJ Altern Complement Med.(2008 Jul)
  7. Memory - Sathyanarayanan V, Thomas T, Einöther SJ, Dobriyal R, Joshi MK, Krishnamachari SBrahmi for the better? New findings challenging cognition and anti-anxiety effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monniera) in healthy adultsPsychopharmacology (Berl).(2013 Jan 26)
  8. Memory - Grace M McPhee, Luke A Downey, Keith A Wesnes, Con StoughThe Neurocognitive Effects of Bacopa monnieri and Cognitive Training on Markers of Brain Microstructure in Healthy Older AdultsFront Aging Neurosci.(2021 Feb 22)
  9. Memory - Navneet Kumar, L G Abichandani, Vijay Thawani, K J Gharpure, M U R Naidu, G Venkat RamanaEfficacy of Standardized Extract of Bacopa monnieri (Bacognize®) on Cognitive Functions of Medical Students: A Six-Week, Randomized Placebo-Controlled TrialEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2016)
  10. Memory - Stough C, Lloyd J, Clarke J, Downey LA, Hutchison CW, Rodgers T, Nathan PJThe chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjectsPsychopharmacology (Berl).(2001 Aug)
  11. Memory - Nathan PJ, Clarke J, Lloyd J, Hutchison CW, Downey L, Stough CThe acute effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy normal subjectsHum Psychopharmacol.(2001 Jun)
  12. Memory - Tatimah Peth-Nui, Jintanaporn Wattanathorn, Supaporn Muchimapura, Terdthai Tong-Un, Nawanant Piyavhatkul, Poonsri Rangseekajee, Kornkanok Ingkaninan, Sakchai Vittaya-AreekulEffects of 12-Week Bacopa monnieri Consumption on Attention, Cognitive Processing, Working Memory, and Functions of Both Cholinergic and Monoaminergic Systems in Healthy Elderly VolunteersEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2012)
  13. Memory - Roodenrys S, Booth D, Bulzomi S, Phipps A, Micallef C, Smoker JChronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memoryNeuropsychopharmacology.(2002 Aug)
  14. Memory - Stough C, Downey LA, Lloyd J, Silber B, Redman S, Hutchison C, Wesnes K, Nathan PJExamining the nootropic effects of a special extract of Bacopa monniera on human cognitive functioning: 90 day double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trialPhytother Res.(2008 Dec)
  15. Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms - Sudesh Prabhakar, Venugopalan Y Vishnu, Manish Modi, Manju Mohanty, Anchal Sharma, Bikas Medhi, B R Mittal, Niranjan Khandelwal, Manoj K Goyal, Vivek Lal, Rajesh Singla, Avinash Kansal, Ajit AvasthiEfficacy of Bacopa Monnieri (Brahmi) and Donepezil in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Double-Blind Parallel Phase 2b StudyAnn Indian Acad Neurol.(Nov-Dec 2020)
  16. Memory - James M Brimson, Sirikalaya Brimson, Mani Iyer Prasanth, Premrutai Thitilertdecha, Dicson Sheeja Malar, Tewin TencomnaoThe effectiveness of Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst. as a nootropic, neuroprotective, or antidepressant supplement: analysis of the available clinical dataSci Rep.(2021 Jan 12)
  17. Cortisol - Sarah Benson, Luke A Downey, Con Stough, Mark Wetherell, Andrea Zangara, Andrew ScholeyAn acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study of 320 mg and 640 mg doses of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on multitasking stress reactivity and moodPhytother Res.(2014 Apr)