Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) is a herbal plant commonly found in India. The herb, also called brahmi, has been used in traditional Indian natural medicine (Ayurvedic medicine) to treat problems such as memory loss, stress and anxiety, and seizures.
Bacopa may be useful 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. How bacopa improves your brain function is not fully understood.
Bacopa appears to have a positive effect on 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 being damaged by cellular oxidation. Cell death, or oxidation, is linked to many brain-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Several studies have found that taking 300-600 milligrams of bacopa per day for at least 12 weeks can improve cognitive function, including memory, learning, reaction time, and information processing in healthy adults. However, more studies are needed to compare the herb with common medications to understand its full benefits.
Cognitive impairments
Researchers have also studied the use of bacopa in cognitive impairment diseases such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease.
The results of the use of bacopa in studies on Alzheimer’s disease are contradictory. In one study, people with Alzheimer’s disease or MCI showed no improvement after taking 300 milligrams of bacopa every day for 12 months compared to donepezil (a drug commonly prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease).
Bacopa has also been studied as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease, which causes symptoms such as involuntary movement and memory difficulties. In a small study of adults with Parkinson’s disease, no improvement was seen in patients who took 225 or 450 milligrams of bacopa once daily for 90 days.
More research is needed to understand whether bacopa may be useful in improving cognitive function and treating symptoms associated with cognitive impairment diseases.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition often known for causing hyperactivity, impulsivity, and an inability to focus or pay attention in children and adults. The disorder can affect your daily life at school, work or relationships.
Bacopa has potential antioxidant effects on areas of the brain commonly affected by ADHD, which could make it useful in alleviating symptoms caused by the disorder.
Several studies have found that bacopa can help relieve ADHD symptoms, while others have found no benefit. One study in children ages 6-12 showed that taking 225 milligrams of bacopa daily for six months improved restlessness, impulsivity, attention problems, and learning problems.
Another group of researchers found that taking 160-320 milligrams of bacopa per day for 14 weeks did not improve ADHD-related behavioral problems in adolescents aged 6-14. The herb appeared to help with mood, cognitive function, and sleep symptoms.
More research is needed to understand whether bacopa is beneficial in ADHD compared to other commonly prescribed medications.
Other ways bacopa can be beneficial include:
-
- Treats anxiety and depression: Bacopa can help treat symptoms of anxiety and depression when taken with medications used to treat anxiety and depression. One study was conducted on people with anhedonia, or a lack of interest or pleasure in life experiences. Patients who took Celeka (citalopram) with 300 milligrams of bacopa twice a day for four weeks saw an improvement in symptoms compared to those who took citalopram alone.
- Treats insomnia: Bacopa can help treat insomnia, which includes trouble falling or staying asleep. Research on treatment is contradictory.
- Reduces inflammation: Bacopa is thought to reduce the amount of molecules and proteins known to cause inflammation in the body. Inflammatory diseases that bacopa can 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 drugs or supplements.
- Lowers blood pressure: A small study found that a combination supplement that included bacopa helped improve blood pressure and protect the heart and blood vessels in patients. More research is needed to understand whether bacopa alone can improve blood pressure.
- Quitting tobacco products (smoking cessation): Researchers in India studied whether taking 100 milligrams of bacopa twice a day, combined with at least six other herbal supplements, could help people smoke fewer tobacco products. The number of cigarettes smoked decreased over three months, and patients saw improvements in laboratory tests related to breathing. However, it is not clear which of the supplements helped make the change.
More research is needed to understand the health benefits that bacopa can offer.
Bacopa is available in capsule, liquid, powder and gum forms. The herb can be found alone or in combination with other supplements known to affect brain health.
You can take Bacopa at any time of the day as long as you keep taking the product. To avoid stomach upset or other side effects, you should take bacopa with food.
Dosage
Dosage for bacopa usually ranges from 300-600 milligrams per day for 12 weeks. Review the label on all products you purchase for dosage recommendations; the dose you should take may vary depending on the product.
Talk to your healthcare provider for dosage recommendations based on your reason for taking bacopa.
Bacopa supplements are safe in doses up to 600 milligrams per day for 12 weeks. In children ages 6-14, bacopa is safe in doses up to 225 milligrams per day for 6 months or 320 milligrams per day for up to 14 weeks.
It is not known if bacopa is safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid taking bacopa.
Supplements are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so quality and safety can vary. Independent testing confirms that supplements contain the ingredients listed on the label and are free of 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 can 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 drugs block acetylcholine from working normally. Using anticholinergics and bacopa together can reduce the effectiveness of both drugs. Common anticholinergic medications include Ditropan (oxybutynin), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), and atropine.
- Cholinergic drugs: Bacopa may have the opposite effect of cholinergic drugs, increasing acetylcholine levels and the risk of cholinergic side effects. Common cholinergic medications include Aricept (donepezil) and Echelon (rivastigmine). Cholinergic side effects include slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and flushing.
- Medicines that are broken down (metabolized) by the liver: Some research has shown that bacopa can affect enzymes found in the liver called cytochrome P450 (CIP P450). These enzymes break down (metabolize) many drugs that are taken by mouth. The researchers found a low risk of harm caused by this interaction.
What to look for
The bacopa plant grows in tropical and humid environments around the world, and can also be found underwater. The grass 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 currently no established upper limit for bacopa. A dose of bacopa of 600 milligrams per day is considered safe. Doses higher than 600 milligrams once a day may increase the risk of side effects. Talk to your doctor before taking more than the recommended dose of bacopa.
Bacopa does not cause many side effects. The side effects that are most often reported are related to gastrointestinal problems (stomach and intestines). Common side effects include:
- Cramps and abdominal pain
- Flatulence
- 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
Several studies have reported that bacopa may affect liver function, but there is no evidence that bacopa is harmful to the liver.
Bacopa is a herbal plant used in traditional Indian natural medicine (Ayurvedic medicine) to treat problems such as memory loss, stress and anxiety, and seizures.
Bacopa may be useful 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 beneficial the herb might be for your health.