Convolvulus pluricaulis is one of four herbs with the common name of Shankhapushpi that has traditionally been used as a cognitive enhancing herb and nootropic. Although there is not a large amount of evidence in support of convolvulus, it appears to be able to promote learning in otherwise healthy rats and mice with a potency similar to the reference drug Piracetam and the other Shankhapushpi herb known as Evolvulus alsinoides. The mechanisms underlying the enhancement of learning are not currently known.

Other neural effects of convolvulus include sedative properties (seem to be relevant at doses higher than used for learning enhancement), anxiolytic and anti-depressive properties, and possible neuroprotective properties; currently there is insufficient evidence to examine how relevant convolvulus is for these goals and the limited evidence is somewhat contradictory (depression) or otherwise does not suggest remarkable potency.