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Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) is an herbal plant commonly found in India. The herb, also called brahmi, has been used in traditional natural Indian medicine (Ayurvedic medicine) to treat issues like memory loss, stress and anxiety, and seizures.
Bacopa may be beneficial in improving and treating certain health conditions, including brain function, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and inflammation.
Bacopa is thought to improve cognitive function—how you think, learn, and remember things. The way that bacopa improves your brain function is not fully understood.
Bacopa appears to positively affect the hormone dopamine, protecting it from being removed from the brain. Dopamine plays an important role in many brain functions, including motivation, reward, memory, and mood.
Bacopa also has antioxidant effects, protecting cells from dying or becoming damaged by cellular oxidation. Cell death or oxidation is linked to many brain-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Several studies have found that taking 300-600 milligrams of bacopa daily for at least 12 weeks may improve cognitive function, including memory, learning, reaction times, and information processing in healthy adults. However, more studies are needed to compare the herb to commonly used medications to understand its full benefit.
Cognitive Impairment Diseases
Researchers have also studied the use of bacopa in cognitive impairment diseases such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease.
Results from using bacopa in Alzheimer’s disease studies are conflicting. In one study, people with Alzheimer’s disease or MCI showed no improvement after taking 300 milligrams of bacopa every day for 12 months when compared to donepezil (a medication commonly prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease).
Bacopa has also been studied as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease, which causes symptoms such as unintentional movement and memory difficulties. In a small study of adults with Parkinson’s disease, no improvement was seen in patients taking 225 or 450 milligrams of bacopa once a day for 90 days.
More research is needed to understand if bacopa can be useful in improving cognitive function and treating symptoms related to cognitive impairment diseases.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition often known for causing hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inability to focus or pay attention in children and adults. The disorder can affect your daily life in school, work, or relationships.
Bacopa has potential antioxidant effects on parts of the brain commonly affected in ADHD, which could make it useful in relieving symptoms caused by the disorder.
A few studies have found that bacopa may help relieve ADHD symptoms, while others have found no benefit. One study in children 6-12 years old found that taking 225 milligrams of bacopa daily for six months improved restlessness, impulsivity, attention issues, and learning problems.
Another group of researchers found that taking 160-320 milligrams of bacopa daily for 14 weeks did not improve ADHD-related behavioral issues in adolescents 6-14 years old. The herb did seem to help with mood, cognitive function, and sleep symptoms.
More research is needed to understand whether bacopa is useful in ADHD in comparison to other commonly prescribed medications.
Other ways that bacopa may be useful include:
- Treats anxiety and depression: Bacopa may help treat anxiety and depression symptoms when taken with medications used to treat anxiety and depression. One study was performed in people with anhedonia, or a lack of interest or pleasure from life experiences. The patients taking Celexa (citalopram) with 300 milligrams of bacopa twice a day for four weeks saw an improvement in symptoms compared to those taking citalopram only.
- Treats insomnia: Bacopa may help treat insomnia, which involves having trouble falling or staying asleep. Research on the treatment is conflicting.
- Reduces inflammation: Bacopa is thought to lower the amount of molecules and proteins known to cause inflammation in the body. Inflammatory diseases that bacopa may help treat include rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, most studies have found that bacopa is only beneficial in these cases when combined with other anti-inflammatory medications or supplements.
- Lowers blood pressure: A small study found that a combination supplement that included bacopa helped improve blood pressure and heart and blood vessel protection in patients. More research is needed to understand whether bacopa alone can improve blood pressure.
- Stops smoking of tobacco products (smoking cessation): Researchers in India studied whether taking 100 milligrams of bacopa twice a day, in combination with at least six other herbal supplements, could help people smoke less tobacco products. The number of cigarettes smoked decreased over three months, and patients saw improvement in breathing-related lab tests. However, it is not clear which of the supplements helped with the change.
More research is needed to understand the health benefits that bacopa may offer.
Bacopa is available in capsule, liquid, powder, and gummy form. The herb can be found by itself or in combination with other supplements known to affect brain health.
You can take bacopa at any time of day as long as you take the product consistently. To avoid upset stomach or other side effects, you should take bacopa with food.
Dosage
Dosing for bacopa typically ranges from 300-600 milligrams daily for 12 weeks. Review the label on any products you purchase for dosage recommendations; the dose you should take may vary based on the product.
Talk with your healthcare provider for dosage recommendations based on your reason for taking bacopa.
Bacopa supplements are safe in doses of up to 600 milligrams daily for 12 weeks. In children 6-14 years old, bacopa is safe in doses up to 225 milligrams daily for 6 months or 320 milligrams daily for up to 14 weeks.
It is not known if bacopa is safe in people who are pregnant or lactating. If you are pregnant or lactating, you should avoid taking bacopa.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements, so quality and safety can vary. Independent testing confirms that supplements contain the ingredients listed on the label and are free from harmful contaminants. Look for seals from reputable organizations such as NSF International, USP (United States Pharmacopeia), or ConsumerLab.
Potential Drug Interactions
Potential drug interactions with bacopa include:
- Anticholinergic drugs: Bacopa may increase the levels of acetylcholine in your body. Acetylcholine is important for your nervous system and helps open blood vessels, increase secretions (such as saliva), and slow your heart rate. Anticholinergic medications block acetylcholine from working as it normally would. Using anticholinergics and bacopa together may lower the effectiveness of both drugs. Common anticholinergic drugs include Ditropan (oxybutynin), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), and atropine.
- Cholinergic drugs: Bacopa may have the opposite effect on cholinergic drugs, increasing acetylcholine levels and the risk for cholinergic side effects. Common cholinergic drugs include Aricept (donepezil) and Exelon (rivastigmine). Cholinergic side effects include slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and flushing.
- Drugs broken down (metabolized) by the liver: Some research has shown that bacopa may affect enzymes found in the liver called cytochrome P450 (CYP P450). These enzymes break down (metabolize) many medications taken by mouth. Researchers have found a low risk of harm caused by this interaction.
What To Look For
The bacopa plant grows in tropical and wet environments globally and can also be found underwater. The herb usually has multiple branches, small leaves, and light purple flowers.
There are over 140 species of bacopa plants, all of which grow in wet and swampy environments. In the United States, certain species can be found naturally in Florida and other southern states.
Can You Take Too Much Bacopa?
There is not an established upper limit for bacopa at this time. A bacopa dose of 600 milligrams daily is considered safe. Doses higher than 600 milligrams once a day may increase the risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking bacopa higher than the recommended dose.
Bacopa does not cause many side effects. The side effects most commonly reported are related to gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) issues. Common side effects include:
- Abdominal (stomach) cramps and pain
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Nausea
Other less common side effects reported with bacopa include:
- Drowsiness
- Flu-like symptoms
- Insomnia
- Muscle pain
- Fast or skipped heartbeats (palpitations)
- Vivid dreams
A few studies have reported that bacopa may affect liver function, but there is no evidence that bacopa is harmful to the liver.
Bacopa is an herbal plant that has been used in traditional natural Indian medicine (Ayurvedic medicine) to treat issues like memory loss, stress and anxiety, and seizures.
Bacopa may be beneficial in improving and treating certain health conditions, including cognitive function, ADHD, and inflammation. If you are interested in taking bacopa, your healthcare provider can help you decide how useful the herb may be for your health.