7 Amazing Ways Bacopa Monnieri Boosts Your Brain Health

Bacopa monnieri is a powerful ancient plant which has many different names including brahmi, thyme-leaved graviola, herb of grace, and water hyssop. With its impressive ability to enhance memory function along with its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antiepileptic, and sedative effects – traditional healers have been utilising this potent herb for centuries (1, 2). Primarily, Ayurvedic medicine uses Bacopa monnieri to treat memory issues, anxiety, and even epilepsy (2).

Grown in tropical and wet climates, this powerful plant has various advantages for the average individual today. So, what should you know about the potent effects of Bacopa monnieri? How can this ancient herb boost your brain function and help you maximise your true potential? In this article, we explore Bacopa monnieri and its effects on brain health.

What Does Bacopa monnieri do for the Brain?

Bacopa is a powerful antioxidant, which means it can help prevent nerve cell death and reduce oxidative stress in the brain which frequently leads to cognitive decline and/or neurodegenerative disorders (3). This is good news for your overall brain health. Below, we will elaborate on the 7 main incredible effects of Bacopa monnieri on your brain and cognitive function.

Enhances working memory

Various research show the powerful effects of Bacopa on memory retention and learning (4, 5, 6). One study examined this with 46 healthy subjects over a 12-week period. Each subject consumed 300 mg of Bacopa each day. Researchers concluded that memory consolidation, along with visual information processing and learning capacity, significantly improved (5).

Memory substantially improves via increased dendritic length and branching, which consistent supplementation with Bacopa monnieri may effect. Dendrites are the part of the nerve cell where signals are received from other nerve cells. This can help store information as memories, even in the short-term, as well as potentially improve learning capacity (4).

Improves concentration capacity

The effects of Bacopa monnieri even extend to increased attention and concentration (6). In fact, Bacopa has been studied extensively in relation to ADHD (7, 8).

In particular, one study showed how children with ADHD between the ages of six and 12 who took 225 mg of Bacopa per day experienced decreased restlessness, improved attention abilities, enhanced impulse control, and improved self-control (7).

Increases stress resilience

As an adaptogen herb, Bacopa monnieri can help you manage and overcome stress (9). It does this in part by reducing the stress hormone, cortisol, and improving your overall mood (10). Furthermore, its high antioxidant content can prevent oxidative stress, which may also improve your ability to handle stress physically and psychologically (3).

Regulates levels of neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are molecules that help your nerve cells send signals to one another. Various studies demonstrate how the positive effects of Bacopa may involve improved neurotransmitter function (11,12). In particular, it acts as a neuroprotective compound for serotonin, acetylcholine, and y-aminobutyric acid (11). These neurotransmitters affects numerous crucial aspects of bodily functions such as your mood and muscular function.

Enhances cerebral blood flow

Cognitive performance pro-tip by Jason Statham - do not wear tight t-shirts.

Jokes aside, the effects of Bacopa monnieri include improving blood flow to your brain which improves cognitive health by bringing all the necessary nutrients and compounds your brain needs to function at its best. Research demonstrates that consistent supplementation with Bacopa monnieri not only just improves cerebral blood flow, but it also improves blood circulation throughout the body, helping to maintain healthy blood pressure levels (13, 14, 15).

Enhanced cerebral blood flow may be one of the mechanisms for the various positive effects of Bacopa on the brain and how this incredible plant has the power to vastly improve cognitive function (13).

Boosts brain plasticity

As Bacopa attenuates the harmful effects of stress and prevents neurodegeneration(3, 9, 10) while enhancing signalling molecules in the brain (11,12). It can also improve synaptic neuroplasticity (16). This means it helps create new connections within your brain, contributing to increased brain power and function.

In fact, smaller studies on older adults have found Bacopa’s enhancement of signalling molecules may be the mechanism behind its ability to enhance learning and memory function (17).

Supports formations of new nerve cells

Bacopa monnieri may even help your brain create new nerve cells, leading to improved thinking capabilities. It does this via the protection and rejuvenation of older nerve cells (2), and by increasing cerebral blood flow (13, 14, 15).

When your brain has the nutrients it needs, it can work to repair older cells as well as use this energy to generate new cells. In turn, your brain health and cognitive function greatly improve (18, 19).

How to Use Bacopa Monnieri for Brain Health

Daily supplements for brain function like Brain Focus by BesaPure® contains efficacious dosages of Bacopa monnieri precisely extracted for optimal levels of bioactive compounds while maintaining natural composition for ideal potency. Experts recommend taking 300 mg of Bacopa monnieri extract each day. However, as with all natural herbs, it’s important to note that it may take a couple of weeks or more to notice improvements in cognitive function.

When taken in larger quantities, while rare, this plant may cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, or nausea (20). It’s further not recommended for pregnant women, since more research is needed in this regard (21). If you are taking other medications, it’s also recommended to discuss taking Bacopa monnieri with your doctor beforehand to determine whether it’s safe for you.

Bottomline

The effects of Bacopa monnieri are powerful. From improving memory and concentration to protecting against neurodegeneration and enhancing neural plasticity, Bacopa monnieri offers numerous benefits for brain health. With your brain responsible for keeping your entire body and its systems running smoothly, Bacopa monnieri might just be the next step toward taking your brain function & overall health to the next level.

References

1. Russo, A., & Borrelli, F. (2005). Bacopa monniera, a reputed nootropic plant: an overview. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 12(4), 305–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2003.12.008

2. Calabrese, C., Gregory, W. L., Leo, M., Kraemer, D., Bone, K., & Oken, B. (2008). Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 14(6), 707–713. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0018

3. Simpson, T., Pase, M., & Stough, C. (2015). Bacopa monnieri as an Antioxidant Therapy to Reduce Oxidative Stress in the Aging Brain. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2015, 615384. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/615384

4. Vollala, V. R., Upadhya, S., & Nayak, S. (2011). Enhancement of basolateral amygdaloid neuronal dendritic arborization following Bacopa monniera extract treatment in adult rats. Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil), 66(4), 663–671. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1807-59322011000400023

5. Stough, C., Lloyd, J., Clarke, J., Downey, L. A., Hutchison, C. W., Rodgers, T., & Nathan, P. J. (2001). The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology, 156(4), 481–484. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130100815

6. Peth-Nui, T., Wattanathorn, J., Muchimapura, S., Tong-Un, T., Piyavhatkul, N., Rangseekajee, P., Ingkaninan, K., & Vittaya-Areekul, S. (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 : eCAM, 2012, 606424. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/606424

7. Dave, U. P., Dingankar, S. R., Saxena, V. S., Joseph, J. A., Bethapudi, B., Agarwal, A., & Kudiganti, V. (2014). An open-label study to elucidate the effects of standardized Bacopa monnieri extract in the management of symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Advances in mind-body medicine, 28(2), 10–15.

8. Katz, M., Levine, A. A., Kol-Degani, H., & Kav-Venaki, L. (2010). A compound herbal preparation (CHP) in the treatment of children with ADHD: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of attention disorders, 14(3), 281–291. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054709356388

9. Rai, D., Bhatia, G., Palit, G., Pal, R., Singh, S., & Singh, H. K. (2003). Adaptogenic effect of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi). Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, 75(4), 823–830. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0091-3057(03)00156-4

10. Benson, S., Downey, L. A., Stough, C., Wetherell, M., Zangara, A., & Scholey, A. (2014). An 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 mood. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 28(4), 551–559. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5029

11. Rajan, K. E., Preethi, J., & Singh, H. K. (2015). Molecular and Functional Characterization of Bacopa monniera: A Retrospective Review. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2015, 945217. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/945217

12. Aguiar, S., & Borowski, T. (2013). Neuropharmacological review of the nootropic herb Bacopa monnieri. Rejuvenation research, 16(4), 313–326. https://doi.org/10.1089/rej.2013.1431

13. Kamkaew, N., Norman Scholfield, C., Ingkaninan, K., Taepavarapruk, N., & Chootip, K. (2013). Bacopa monnieri increases cerebral blood flow in rat independent of blood pressure. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 27(1), 135–138. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.4685

14. Kamkaew, N., Scholfield, C. N., Ingkaninan, K., Maneesai, P., Parkington, H. C., Tare, M., & Chootip, K. (2011). Bacopa monnieri and its constituents is hypotensive in anaesthetized rats and vasodilator in various artery types. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 137(1), 790–795. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.06.045

15. Hermann, M., Flammer, A., & Lüscher, T. F. (2006). Nitric oxide in hypertension. Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.), 8(12 Suppl 4), 17–29. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-6175.2006.06032.x

16. McPhee, G. M., Downey, L. A., Wesnes, K. A., & Stough, C. (2021). The Neurocognitive Effects of Bacopa monnieri and Cognitive Training on Markers of Brain Microstructure in Healthy Older Adults. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 13, 638109. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2021.638109

17. Lampit, A., Hallock, H., & Valenzuela, M. (2014). Computerized cognitive training in cognitively healthy older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effect modifiers. PLoS medicine, 11(11), e1001756. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001756

18. Hadanny, A., & Efrati, S. (2015). Oxygen--a limiting factor for brain recovery. Critical care (London, England), 19(1), 307. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-015-1034-2

19. Gómez-Pinilla F. (2008). Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function. Nature reviews. Neuroscience, 9(7), 568–578. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2421

20. Morgan, A., & Stevens, J. (2010). Does Bacopa monnieri improve memory performance in older persons? Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 16(7), 753–759. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0342

21. Chaudhari, K. S., Tiwari, N. R., Tiwari, R. R., & Sharma, R. S. (2017). Neurocognitive Effect of Nootropic Drug Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) in Alzheimer's Disease. Annals of neurosciences, 24(2), 111–122. https://doi.org/10.1159/000475900