By Alissa B Daschbach MA BS BA MH

Bacopa monnieri is known by many names - Brahmi, Herb of Grace, and water hyssop among others. It is a tropical wildflower that is native to the Himalayan Mountains in Nepal and India but grows wild in many other parts of the world (including Florida). In its native lands of India, Bacopa monnieri is named after Brahma, the creator god of all other deities in the Hindu religion. This is a significant fact considering the important role this plant holds within Ayurvedic medicine, one of the world’s oldest practicing medicinal systems. Traditionally, the leaf extracts of Bacopa monnieri have been used to treat different mental conditions, including poor cognition, anxiety, lack of concentration, and memory loss. Bacopa monnieri is a powerful nootropic with several positive actions within the brain that help to boost memory, learning, and executive thought process functioning along with neuroprotectant capabilities throughout the central nervous system.

Nootropic Benefits of Bacopa Monnieri

Bacopa has been used as a nootropic for several hundred years in India’s Ayurvedic medicine. The extract of this plant has been used to improve memory and intellect, targeting central nervous system disorders that contribute to anxiety and memory disorders. The effects of Bacopa monnieri have been rigorously studied to back up the traditional use of the plant in cognitive and other inflammatory conditions.

Benefits of Bacopa monnieri extracts include:

Antiinflammatory effects: Several chronic diseases and conditions have been linked to prolonged inflammation in the human body. Bacopa monnieri extracts have been shown in studies to suppress inflammatory proteins known as cytokines.  Neuroinflammation has been thought to play a role in central nervous system disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Neuroprotectant: Bacopa monnieri contains chemical compounds known as phytonutrients that are antioxidants (chemicals that protect the body’s cells from free radicals and toxic substances). These compounds protect the nerve cells from damage caused by internal and external toxins.

Boosts Brain Function: Research supports the efficacy of Bacopa in enhancing brain function. A recent clinical trial study has shown that Bacopa extracts significantly improved the memory processing speed of participants, a brain function that contributes to how we input information from our environment to successfully retain memory and improve learning skills.

Increases Stress Resistance: Bacopa monnieri is known to be an adaptogenic plant, one that helps to increase our body’s ability to handle and resist the ill effects of stress. Compounds in the extract may help to reduce cortisol levels in the blood. Cortisol is a hormone released by our adrenal glands when we are in a stressful situation. Reduced levels of cortisol and an increase of mood regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine help to regulate our moods, calm our nerves, and help us to adapt to stress in a healthy way.

Several studies have been performed using Bacopa monnieri to test if the traditional use of this leaf extract does indeed improve executive brain functions while protecting brain cells from neurodegeneration. These studies produced results which indeed supported the traditional use and furthermore showed Bacopa’s powerful effects on increasing memory performance and protecting the brain’s nerve cells. Regular supplementation with Bacopa monnieri, an essential ingredient in BrainPower, can help improve your memory and learning abilities, protect your brain and body from chronic inflammation and damage caused by oxidizing compounds and other toxins.

Cautions and Contraindications

As with any supplement, consult with your physician before taking Bacopa monnieri leaf extract to make sure it is safe for you and does not interfere with any medications you are currently taking.

Possible side effects that have been reported with Bacopa supplementation include:

• Stomach cramps
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Dry mouth

Bacopa may increase the level of calcium in your blood with chronic use. The extract may also interact with medications that regulate mood neurotransmitters (such as dopamine, GABA, and serotonin). For this reason, consult with your physician if you are taking any medications that work on neurotransmitters. Also, medications that may interact with Bacopa monnieri include:

• Drugs metabolized by the liver
• Alzheimer’s disease medications
• Anticholinergic and cholinergic drugs
• Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
• Thyroid hormone medications

Nursing mothers and pregnant women should check with their physician before taking supplements that contain Bacopa monnieri.

References

Kumar, N., et., al. (2006). Efficacy of standardized extract of Bacopa monnieri (Bacognize®) on cognitive functions of medical students: A six-week, randomized placebo-controlled trial. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Retrieved from PubMed Central: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5075615/

Peth-Nui T., et., al.  (2012). Effects of 12-week Bacopa monnieri consumption on attention, cognitive processing, working memory, and functions of both cholinergic and monoaminergic systems in healthy elderly volunteers. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.,606424. Retrieved from PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23320031/

Raman, R. (2019, October 31). 7 emerging benefits of Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi). Retrieved from Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bacopa-monnieri-benefits

Stough C.,  et., al. (2001). The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology 2001 156(4), 481-484. Retrieved from PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11498727/

Vollala V. R. , Upadhya S., Nayak S. (2011). Enhancement of basolateral amygdaloid neuronal dendritic arborization following Bacopa monniera extract treatment in adult rats. Clinics, 66(4), 663-671. Retrieved from PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21655763/