Last Updated on March 17, 2019

Overview

Bacopa Monnieri is a nootropic herb with a history of medicinal use in India (Ayurvedic medicine) with strong adaptogenic and nootropic properties.

Bacopa has demonstrated immense potential for preventing cognitive disorders and causes cognitive enhancement in both healthy people¹www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3746283/ and the elderly⁷www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18611150. In terms of cognitive enhancement, it appears to most strongly enhance memory²www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20590480³www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12093601⁴www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18683852⁵www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20703343⁶www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11498727⁷www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18611150.

Bacopa is often used to improve mood, as it has been shown to to a strong antidepressive and anxiolytic effects⁷www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18611150⁸www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11498727⁹www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21046986¹⁰www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17343408¹¹www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12046860, as well as stress-reducing properties¹⁶www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12957224¹⁷www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12410544.

Bacopa has also been shown to provide neuroprotection¹⁶www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12957224¹⁸www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17604373¹⁹www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21366957²⁰www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22366895²¹www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8792640²²www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8792640²³www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17189676, and prevent neuroinflammation¹⁸ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17604373²⁴ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22198697.

Bacopa increases levels of serotonin in the hippocampus, and prevents depletion of dopamine and serotonin after exposure to neurotoxins or in people with Parkinson’s disease, which further demonstrates its efficacy as adaptogen¹³www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17321089¹⁴www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22160863¹⁵www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19744517.

Bacopa is a bit of an underdog in the natural nootropics market, but it shows a lot of promise. More high quality research will be needed to determine it’s full potential.

 

 

Where to Purchase Bacopa

Synapsa Bacopa Monnieri Capsules | 320mg | Whole Plant Extract

Nootropics Depot offers Bacopa in the proprietary Synapsa extract, which has been specifically formulated to maximize improvements in learning, memory, focus, and mental performance, especially in situations which require multitasking.

 
 

Bacopa Dosage Information

The standard dose for bacopa monnieri is 300mg with a 50% of the extract¹² www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3153866/ . In powder form, taking 750-1500mg of the leaf or powder would yield similar results. Bacopa monnieri is fat soluble and should be taken with meals. When taken on an empty stomach it may cause GI problems and not be absorbed properly.

 
 

References

1. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3746283/

2. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20590480

3. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12093601

4. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18683852

5. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20703343

6. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11498727

7. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18611150

8. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11498727

9. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21046986

10. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17343408

11. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12046860

12. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3153866/

13. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17321089

14. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22160863

15. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19744517

16. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12957224

17. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12410544

18. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17604373

19. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21366957

20. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22366895

21. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8792640

22. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8792640

23. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17189676

24. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22198697