Bacopa Monnieri

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    Wyatt Brown, Rachel Hathcock

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    by:

    Nick Milazzo
    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.

    43 references on this page
    1,503 participants in 16 trials and 1 meta-analysis

    Overview

    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

    Frequently asked questions

    Update History

    Research Breakdown

    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)