Bacopa Monnieri (Brahmi) is a perennial, creeping, aquatic herb. Originally from the wetlands of India, and other southeastern Asian countries.
Bacopa, also known as water hyssop, is often referred to as “Brahmi”. Named after the supreme god Brahma.
The nootropic benefits of Bacopa Monnieri were first revealed in ancient Ayurvedic texts. In was recommended to devotees to help memorize long passages of text. And enhance cognition.
And Bacopa Monnieri is an adaptogen. It helps prevent the chemical and physical effects of stress. Instead of just suppressing them like many modern antidepressants.
Bacopa Monnieri helps:
- Neurotransmitters. Bacopa affects brain levels of acetylcholine which is important for memory and cognition.
- Cognition. Bacopa has antioxidant effects which enhances cognitive function. Bacopa extract helps prevent arterial plaque that can lead to heart attack, stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases.
- Anxiety and stress. Bacopa has a significant anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effect. It appears to modulate brain levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This has an effect on mood regulation.
Table of Contents
Overview
Bacopa Monnieri (Brahmi) is an aquatic herb originally found in the wetlands and marshy areas of Southeast Asia and India.
Bacopa, also known as water hyssop, is often referred to as “Brahmi”. Named after the supreme god Brahma.
Ancient Ayurvedic texts talked about Bacopa. It was recommended to devotees to help memorize long passages of text.
In the West, Bacopa Monnieri is often used to reduce anxiety, depression and stress. But it’s gaining popularity in the nootropic community as a powerful memory and cognition booster.
The active compound Bacoside A in Bacopa easily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
How does Bacopa Monnieri Work in the Brain?
Bacopa Monnieri boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.
- Bacopa Monnieri boosts memory. Bacopa’s two active components are bacosides A and B. They improve the signaling of electrical impulses between neurons in your brain. Bacosides also help rebuild damaged neurons.
Bacopa Monnieri helps you learn and remember things more easily. In one study, researchers gave 54 volunteers in Portland, Oregon 300 mg of B. Monnieri per day for 12 weeks.
After the 12-week study, the people taking Bacopa had:
- Better word recall
- Better attention
- Better memory scores
- A greater ability to focus while learning
- Less anxiety and lower heart rates[i]
- Bacopa Monnieri reduces stress. Bacopa has traditionally been used in Ayurveda as a tonic for the nervous system. It helps to reduce anxiety.
Research at Banaras Hindu University in India showed Bacopa as effective for anxiety as the benzodiazepine drug lorazepam. One of the side effects of lorazepam is memory loss. Bacopa Monnieri on the other hand, reduced anxiety while boosting cognition.[ii]
How things go bad
Chronic stress and cortisol can damage your brain. Neuroscientists at the University of California, Berkeley, found that chronic stress triggers long-term change in brain structure and function.[iii]
Chronic stress damages neural networks. Certain proteins are over-expressed damaging neurons as a result.
Toxins invade cells, hijacking their normal, healthy function. And oxidative damage by free radicals harm brain cells if they’re not removed.
↓ Chronic stress reduces memory capacity
↓ Toxins kill brain cells from the inside
↓ Free radicals destroy neurons and synapses
Under conditions of chronic stress your brain loses the capacity to transmit signals between neurons efficiently. Memory, cognition, and decision-making all suffer as a result.
Bacopa Monnieri benefits
Bacopa Monnieri undoes damage to the brain caused by chronic stress. And helps keep it healthy. This is a little complicated, so stay with me here.
Your brain is protected by heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70), cytochrome enzymes EROD and PROD, and superoxide dismutase (SOD).
Hsp70 helps proteins in cells retain normal structure so they remain functional. EROD (7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase) and PROD (7-pentoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase) are detox enzymes. They protect your brain by converting bad toxins into less harmful compounds. And SOD battles destructive free radicals called superoxides. And converts them into harmless organic compounds.
Bacopa Monnieri Keeps Your Brain Healthy Under Stress
When you are under stress, levels of Hsp70 increase in all regions of your brain. But research shows that animals pretreated with Bacopa for 7 days prevented most of this increase in Hsp70. Particularly in areas of the brain responsible for memory.
This means that producing less Hsp70 under stress, Bacopa makes your brain less susceptible to stress. Bacopa kept those regions of the brain in a non-stressed state. Even in the presence of stress.
Bacopa also has a preemptive action on EROD and PROD. Rats treated with Bacopa, but not under stress, saw an increase in these two enzymes. Suggesting that Bacopa helps stockpile these protective enzymes to help you better deal with stress.
And when it comes to SOD, researchers said, “Bacopa helps in coping with the combined hypoxic, hypothermic, and immobilization stress, which could lead to an onslaught of free radicals.” So Bacopa helps SOD activity and prepares cells to weather attacks by free radicals.[iv]
Translated, this all means Bacopa Monnieri helps your brain deal with stress. And helps boost memory.
How does Bacopa Monnieri feel?
The effects of Bacopa are not felt immediately. But seem to build over time. Some users report a pronounced anti-anxiety effect within 2 – 4 days of supplementing with Bacopa.
In one study done in Australia, results were measured at 5 and 12 weeks of taking Bacopa. The results showed improved speed of information processing, and an increase in learning and memory. Maximum reduction in anxiety was realized after 12 weeks of use.[v]
Some neurohackers say they feel the effects of Bacopa Monnieri sooner than 4 weeks. And the effects seem to keep working even after stopping supplementation. The effects are long-term.
Long term users say they consistently feel calmer, can think quicker and have better memory.
Bacopa Monnieri Clinical Research
Bacopa Monnieri as a Nootropic
This double-blind placebo-controlled investigation was done at Swinburne University in Australia. 107 healthy participants were given 300 mg of Bacopa Monnieri extract for 90 days.
After 90 days, the people who took B. Monnieri extract showed significant improvement in spatial memory, memory accuracy and their ability to process visual information.[vi]
Bacopa Monnieri for Stress Reduction
Bacopa is likely best known for reducing stress. Recent research at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia confirmed this in the lab.
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study 17 healthy volunteers were given 320 mg or 640 mg of Bacopa extract. The study reported significant mood improvement, and decreased levels of cortisol.
This study demonstrated Bacopa’s adaptogenic qualities. Bacopa Monnieri counteracted the effects of stress by regulating hormones involved in the stress response.[vii]
Bacopa Monnieri for Longevity
Long-term exposure to aluminum can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s Disease by 60 percent.[viii] (So check your underarm deodorant label before you read the rest of this article).
Research shows that Bacopa Monnieri can protect you from toxins that are harmful to your brain. Including aluminum.
It prevents the buildup of toxins between and inside neurons. And prevents damage to the hippocampus. The area of your brain critical for learning, memory and cognitive power.
Scientists at Jawaharlal Nehru University in India laced rats’ drinking water with aluminum chloride. The same aluminum that’s toxic to your brain. Some of the rats in this study had the protective power of Bacopa Monnieri going for them.
Bacopa Monnieri protected the rat’s brains from oxidative damage from the aluminum. And it worked as well as the Alzheimer’s drug selegiline. Bacopa restored the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) to levels near normal. Indicating Bacopa Monnieri’s anti-aging potential.[ix]
Bacopa Monnieri Recommended Dosage
There is no ‘right’ dosage of Bacopa. Each person’s body is unique. In general, use the lowest dosage that works for you. And Bacopa works better if taken a few days in a row rather than just once.
Recommended dosage of Bacopa Monnieri containing 45% bacosides is 200 – 450 mg per day.
Recommended dosage of Bacopa Monnieri containing 20% bacosides is 750 mg per day.
Higher dosing should be divided equally with your first dose in the morning, and next dose early afternoon.
Bacopa is fat-soluble so should be taken with a healthy fat source like organic, cold-pressed virgin olive or coconut oil. Fat helps your body absorb the compounds in Bacopa that bring you benefit. And helps deliver it into your brain cells.
Bacopa Monnieri Side Effects
Side effects for Bacopa Monnieri are rare when taken as directed. But can include fatigue and upset stomach.
Types of Bacopa Monnieri to buy
The bioactive component of Bacopa Monnieri is Bacoside A. Which is a mixture of saponins with bacoside A3, bacopaside II, and jujubogenin isomer of bacopasaponin C.
Bacopa Monnieri extract can be found in some of higher quality pre-formulated nootropic stacks. For example, Mind Lab Pro® contains 11 brain enhancing nootropic compounds including Bacopa Monnieri extract with 24% bacosides and all the bioactive saponins and isomers listed above.
I recommend Mind Lab Pro because it addresses all aspects of anxiety resistance, memory and cognitive enhancement, stabilizes mood, brain repair, and maintenance.
This premium nootropic stack is designed to affect neurotransmitters, cognitive energy, brain waves, neuroprotection, and regeneration. See my Mind Lab Pro 4.0 review for a detailed report.
Bacopa supplements are also available as a powder, capsules and tablets. Check the label for the concentration of Bacosides. A Bacopa extract with a higher Bacoside concentration requires a lower dose.
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
Bacopa Monnieri up to 450 mg per day
I recommend using Bacopa Monnieri as a nootropic supplement.
Your body does not make Bacopa Monnieri on its own. So you must take it as a supplement.
B. Monnieri is especially helpful for those suffering from anxiety and stress. Studies show it helps stop and reverse the devastating effects of stress on your brain, and body. This nootropic helps repair damage to neurons and synapses caused by chronic stress.
Bacopa is a powerful adaptogen. Which means it helps increase the effect of certain hormones when activity is low. And will block excess stimulation when activity is high.
Bacopa Monnieri is also helpful for those suffering from anxiety and panic disorders. A study published in Phytomedicine showed the calming effect of this herb was equal to the drug Ativan (lorazepam). Without the side effects.
The ancient Ayurvedic texts knew what we’re only now discovering. That Bacopa is a powerful memory enhancer. Recent studies in Australia and the USA show B. Monnieri helps improve word recall, memory scores, attention and learning.
You can buy individual Bacopa Monnieri supplements. Or you could try my favorite pre-formulated nootropic stack Mind Lab Pro® which includes the full spectrum saponins, bacosides, and isomers in its Bacopa Monnieri extract.
Mind Lab Pro contains a synergistic blend of 11 brain enhancing nootropics covering all aspects of cognition and brain health. See my full Mind Lab Pro 4.0 review for more.
You can safely take up to 450 mg of Bacopa Monnieri extract (45% Bacosides) daily if needed. Half the dose first thing in the morning. And the other half early afternoon. And it’s fat-soluble. So to ensure absorption take it with a tablespoon of virgin coconut or MCT oil.
[i] Calabrese N.D., Gregory W.L., Leo M., Kraemer D., Bone K., Oken B. “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 Complimentary Medicine 2008 Jul; 14(6): 707–713. (source)
[ii] Bhattacharya S.K., Ghosal S. “Anxiolytic activity of a standardized extract of Bacopa monniera: an experimental study.” Phytomedicine. 1998 Apr;5(2):77-82 (source)
[iii] “New evidence that chronic stress predisposes brain to mental illness” University of California, Berkeley Feb. 11, 2014, Retrieved Mar. 24, 2016 (source)
[iv] Chowdhuri D.K., Parmar D., Kakkar P., Shukla R., Seth P.K., Srimal R.C. “Antistress effects of bacosides of Bacopa monnieri: modulation of Hsp70 expression, superoxide dismutase and cytochrome P450 activity in rat brain.” Phytotherapy Research 2002 Nov;16(7):639-45. (source)
[v] Stough C., Lloyd J., Clarke J., Downey L.A., Hutchison C.W., Rodgers T., Nathan P.J. “The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects.”Psychopharmacology 2001 Aug;156(4):481-4. (source)
[vi] Stough C., Downey L.A., Lloyd J., Silber B., Redman S., Hutchison C., Wesnes K., Nathan P.J. “Examining the nootropic effects of a special extract of Bacopa monniera on human cognitive functioning: 90 day double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial.” Phytotherapy Research 2008 Dec;22(12):1629-34 (source)
[vii] Benson S., Downey L.A., Stough C., Wetherell M., Zangara A., Scholey A. “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 2014 Apr;28(4):551-9. (source)
[viii] Jansson E.T. “Aluminum exposure and Alzheimer’s disease.”Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 2001 Dec;3(6):541-549. (source)
[ix] Jyoti A., Sharma D. “Neuroprotective role of Bacopa monniera extract against aluminium-induced oxidative stress in the hippocampus of rat brain.” Neurotoxicity 2006 Jul;27(4):451-7. (source)
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Hi David, what do you think about the combination of Rhodiola rosea and Bacopa Monnieri? and maybe also gotu kola (although I don’t know that gotu kola has many side effects) and possibly also with hyperzine or the amino acids tryptophan and phenylalanine .
I read from you that gotu kola helps neurogenesis and recovery, and bacopa and rhodiola have the same effects?
Daniel, Rhodiola Rosea works in synergy with Bacopa Monnieri which is one of the reasons why the are used together in Mind Lab Pro (http://bit.ly/2fZjVeW).
The problem with using Gotu Kola is it may reduce sperm count in men, and reduce levels of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).
There are a ton of other ways to boost neurogenesis, Nerve Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. Search Nootropics Expert for either of those phrases and you’ll get a long list of supplements to try.
Thank you very much for your answer!
What do you think, is it possible to read more with ginkgo biloba or ginkgo side effects are not worth it?
These are the reported side effects of Ginkgo Biloba: https://nootropicsexpert.com/ginkgo-biloba/#ginkgo-biloba-side-effects. Decide if any of that worries you before you decide against using it.
55% 320 mg bacopa extract California gold nutrition, й The capsule has magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, I see from the comments you don’t like it why? Sometimes also stearic acid, can you explain how such an incredibly small amount can harm the body? I also understand the strong harm from titanium dioxide if the size is less than 100 nanometers and this can cause a mutation and is not excreted from the body, but what about what I described above?
See my article on how to select the best quality supplements here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/7-tips-for-choosing-the-highest-quality-nootropic-supplements/.
Those ingredients may not be harmful if they were included in ONLY one supplement. But if they are included in every supplement you use and you use them daily or several times daily and you take them for years … Are you willing to take the risk?
hi ,can bacopa be taken along with sertraline(50 mg twice, resperidone(1mg morning , 4 mg night) and lithium(1200 mg at night)
I am not aware of any contraindications between Bacopa Monnieri and any of the meds you mentioned.
Hi David
I am currently on MLP. I would like to increase my dosage for bacopa . Any recommendation product to introduce that is similar to the bacopa in MLP that has full-spectrum, 24% bacosides, 9 bioactives.
Wong, your safest option is the one by Nootropics Depot here: https://lddy.no/1bxun. Choose the one containing Synapsa.
Hi David,
Hope you are doing well.
Can I take the homeopathic medicine for bacopa?
It’s named as Dr. Reckeweg Bacopa Monnieri (Brahmi) Mother Tincture Q.
Jatin, I am not familiar with this product. And not sure how a tincture of Bacopa Monnieri would work as a nootropic. Better if you referred to the user reviews wherever you bought it.
Hey Dave,
What’s your thoughts on having Bacopa and L-Theanine together?
Have a liquid supplement containing both Bacopa and L-Theanine (320mg/200mg per 90ml) and was wondering if it would be beneficial or detrimental to each supplement by having both together at the same time?
Thanks
James, both Bacopa Monnieri and L-Theanine are included in Mind Lab Pro and that certainly works well.
Hi!
I suffer from generalised anxiety disorder. I take some 5htp and it helps a little. Would it be ok to continue on 5 htp while adding Bacopa? No serotonin syndrome to fear?
Thank you 🙂
Corinne, Serotonin Syndrome will not a problem. But what may happen is 5-HTP will work for awhile and then stop working. Because you upset the balance of serotonin and dopamine using only 5-HTP.
Hi David,
Just a follow up to your answer about 5-htp and Bacopa. If i take L-tryrosine 500mg in the morning and the afternoon then Bacopa and 5-htp in the evening, would that balance the dopamine and serotonin ratio?.
Thanks
Khalid, Bacopa Monnieri will not help for keeping that balance but either 5-HTP or L-Tryptophan will increase serotonin to keep it in balance with dopamine.
Hi David,
Tried Bacopa by Nature’s Answer (20% Bacosides), consumed with healthy fats on 3 separate instances:
First time took it for 4 days, 1 x 500mg capsule, 2 x p/d (one in the AM, one in the early PM): Experienced exhausting headaches and nausea.
Reduced the dose to 1 x 500mg p/d for the remainder of the week: Headaches and nausea went away, but I felt a lack of energy, focus, and motivation, as well as severe confusion & brain fog
Waited 2 months and took 1/2 capsule (250mg), 2 x p/d to feel the same confusion and numbness again.
Would you advise me trying to combine it with something or just accept it’s not for me?
Female, 32, ADD, no other medication aside from Nicotine intake.
P.S. love your videos and the nootropics Encyclopedia, thank you for sharing your passion and knowledge with all of us!
Maggie, you’ve tested Bacopa Monnieri twice with the same negative effects. So, it sounds like Bacopa is just the wrong supplement for you.
Hi David!
Does Bacopa goes well with aniracetam ?
For depression and motivation.
Plus I take KSM66 Ashwagandha, Lemon balm, Gingko biloba before bed
Charlotte, it is not contraindicated. Try it and see if it works for you.
Great post David!
I wanted your take on the effects of taking 5-10mg of Adderall IR, alongside Bacopa or Synapsa. I’ve talked to my pharmacy and psychiatrist and they report no ill interactions when taken together. While Adderall gave me precisely what I’m looking for when it comes to the energy, focus, and motivation I get to study; I’ve noticed that my memory, in general, has been stunted. Synapsa Bacopa looks very promising when it comes to improving memory when it comes to schoolwork/exams. Anecdotal reports suggest that the Bacopa cancels out the effect of the stim when taken together. Would you have any advice on timing out the two, so that I may receive both of their effects? Or if anything, an alternative?
I take Adderall 10-20mg total depending on my workload for the day, averaging out to around 2-3x.
Adrian, Bacopa should support the use of the stimulant. But please take a look at my ADHD/ADD protocol for how to support successful stimulant use: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/
Hi David! Thank you so much for your time, I’m very grateful!
I would like to ask you about cortisol topic.
Isn’t cortisol designed to trigger fight-or-flight?
I’m not sure but I sustpect I could be low or cortisol, but didn’t had a chance to do saliva cortisol test. On stop the thyrioid madness I’ve read that lower cortisol could make me unrefreshed in the morning. Which is 100% me, no matter how I change my sleep stack, I fall a sleep within minute, sleep without wakeups and wake up VERY unrefreshed and unmotivated to start my day.
I take many things for cortisol lowering incl. Bacopa, turmeric, PS, astahxanthin, magnesium etc. Should I stop suplementing with these? Before using noottropics I was already TOO calm in stressful situations. Isn’t lowering cortisol making my situation worse?
Sorry for my long message 🙁
I would like to know what you think about this topic.
Sandra, you definitely need cortisol. If you are dealing with Adrenal Fatigue you may want to try what I use 4-times per day here: https://amzn.to/3zm4Ekb.
Avoiding supplement that also reduce cortisol will not likely help if you are dealing with adrenal fatigue. Only supporting your adrenals will help.
How serious can the effect on male semen/fertiliy of bacopa. I am worried about the results in mice ( lower sperm count, testosterone drop, motility etc).
I bought some dried powder but consume it very rarely, to not impact fertility
btw it’s a very interesting plant.
Bacosides are amazing, have a hormone skeleton structure and they look like other anti aging molecules, too.
Brahmin in bacopa is also an intriguing alkaloid, reminds me of nicotine (also some present in bacopa), not much is known about it
Stylianos, the study you are referring to as done with mice (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19041444/) and it reduce sperm production and did not touch Testosterone. This has not be reproduced in humans.
In Ayurvedic medicine Bacopa Monnieri is used in Rasayana formulas to promote longevity. The plant contains ecdysteroids which increase protein synthesis, and improves physical and sexual performance (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15638733/).
Can Bacopa monnieri be taken indefinately or is it recommended to suspend it for a while? And if so, should we be “weaned” off it? I ask because I’ve been taking it daily (300mg) for over several years.
Please advise.
Norma, if you have been using Bacopa Monnieri successfully for several years and it’s working for you then keep doing what you’re doing.
Hi David,
do you recommend consuming the Bacopa daily
or cycling it?
thank you
Mike, I do not recommend cycling most herbs. They often take a while to work even while using them every day.
The more important thing to keep in mind is quality and strength of the extract. And you may want to use it twice per day depending on how much you are using.
I have tried both bacopa monnieri and huperzine A. I prefer bacopa monnieri because it improve my mood and anxiety too but huperzine A focus is stronger compared to bacopa monnieri.
Hello David,
Is this brand a good choice for Bacopa Monnieri?.
The label says “50 % Bacosides”
but it does not mention anything about bioactive component of Bacopa Monnieri Bacoside A, saponins with bacoside A3, bacopaside II, and jujubogenin isomer of bacopasaponin C.)
Thank you,
Karen
BulkSupplements.com Bacopa Extract Powder
Karen, it depends on how they tested for bacoside content. A great explanation is in the FAQ section of Mind Lab Pro called “Why did Mind Lab Pro® switch from Bacopa Monnieri 45% bacosides to full-spectrum Bacopa Monnieri 24% bacosides (9 bioactives)?”
You’ll find that explanation by scrolling down this page: https://www.mindlabpro.com/pages/faq