Bacopa Monnieri: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Cognitive Enhancement

“Oh, it’s on the tip of my tongue!” “What was it I was supposed to get at the store?” “My brain is too full to think anymore!” Do you find yourself saying these things? Or feel like you need a little something to stay mentally sharp or get through school exams better? Brain boosting nutrients and plants, called nootropics, are known to facilitate learning and enhance cognition and memory. Bacopa monnieri is a highly sought after nootropic known for its many benefits for brain health.

Nerve Tonic and Nootropic Booster

Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi), also known as water hyssop, is a well-known perennial herb with small oblong leaves and light purple flowers. Bacopa monnieri has been used as a nerve tonic and nootropic booster in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.

Bacopa is a neuroprotective nutrient due to its active constituents like bacosides and various other components. These include saponins, cucurbitacins, phenols, triterpines, flavonoids, and others. This wide multitude of compounds are involved with a myriad of supportive mechanisms for cell protection, energy, mood, stress, blood sugar, cell repair in your brain, and even more throughout the body. Although Bacopa has many benefits, it is most well known as a nootropic for brain health.

Antioxidant and Protective Mechanisms of Bacopa Monnieri in the Brain

Animal studies show that Bacopa monnieri enhances antioxidant status in several regions of the brain, including the hippocampus and frontal cortex. It also activates antioxidant enzymes like glutathione and Nrf2 pathways and inhibits reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other toxic free radicals within the brain. These responses help minimize oxidative stress in the nervous system, mitochondria, and cell functions related with dopamine function and cell survival.

Research also demonstrates that Bacopa inhibits microglial cell activity in the brain from releasing compounds like TNF-a and IL-6. Microglial cells are “housekeeping” neuroimmune cells in your brain. When they become stressed out or overactive, they can cause negative effects to mood, memory, focus, sleep, and other brain functions.

Mitochondria Protection and Neurotransmitter Function

In addition, cellular studies demonstrated Bacopa provides antioxidant support in the mitochondria against high levels of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter and signaling compound essential for focus, energy, and nerve activity. When too much is released, it can lead to stressful feelings, interfere with sleep, and lead to excess microglial cell activity.

Further research suggests that Bacopa helps protect the balance between the neurotransmitters glutamate, GABA, and acetylcholine in the brain. GABA is a relaxant, inhibitory neurotransmitter. Acetylcholine is the primary neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system and plays a vital role in memory. The balance of these neurotransmitters is essential to a optimally functioning brain.

Animal studies have also found that Bacopa provides antioxidant protection to mitochondria exposed to mercury. Tissues that had higher levels of Bacopa had greater levels of the antioxidant glutathione. Glutathione attached itself to the heavy metal and detoxified it, thereby protecting mitochondria from oxidative stress.

Mitochondria are highly sensitive to free radicals and oxidative stress and must be protected by plant-based antioxidants and master antioxidants like glutathione. Your brain and nerves contain massive amounts of mitochondria which are essential for energy production. They are like tens of thousands of tiny batteries in your cells and organs directly responsible for your energetic vitality.

Additional Antioxidant Benefits

Bacopa’s beneficial antioxidant activity has also been demonstrated against free radical induced stress from blood sugar in the brain and kidneys of rodents. Other animal studies showed Bacopa provides antioxidant support in the brain against the free radical effects from tobacco smoke exposure.

Bacosides

Bacosides, which are one of the major constituents of Bacopa, have attracted significant interest in research. Numerous studies demonstrate their ability to establish a healthy antioxidant environment in various tissues, especially in the brain. These antioxidant activities effectively quench free radicals, protect lipids/fats from oxidative stress, and activate neuroprotective mechanisms and neuro-receptors in your brain.

Bacosides help protect nerve cells from cytotoxicity and manage enzymes that affect metabolic protein waste production in your brain. They also activate and enhance enzyme activity involved with nerve repair and synthesis.

Clinical Studies

In recent years, several human clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Bacopa monnieri for brain health. Here are a few studies with different age groups.

Multi-tasking and Stress

A randomized clinical trial in healthy adults evaluated the effect of Bacopa on multi-tasking and stress reactivity. Participants consumed either a placebo, 320 mg, or 640 mg of Bacopa monnieri. Cognitive, mood, and cortisol measurements took place as baseline, then 1 and 2 hours after placebo or Bacopa intake. Results showed stress reduction and mood support at both 1 and 2 hours during stressful multi-tasking cognitive events in those who took Bacopa.

Medical Students

A 2016 published study evaluated the efficacy of Bacognize®, a standardized extract of Bacopa monnieri. This randomized placebo-controlled trial occurred with second year medical students enrolled in the Government Medical College of Nagpur, India. Students received either Bacognize ® 150 mg twice per day or placebo for six weeks.

Results showed statistically significant improvement in cognitive function tests with the use of Bacognize®. Blood biochemistry also showed a significant increase in serum calcium levels (still within normal range).

Adolescents

Results of a clinical trial in 112 boys ages 6-14 were recently published in February 2022. This 14-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trail evaluated the effects of placebo versus Bacopa on behavior, cognitive, mood, and sleep effects. Study findings showed improvements in cognitive flexibility, executive functioning, interpersonal problems, and sleep routine. Fewer errors were also noted with cognitive tasks.

Elderly

A small clinical study evaluated safety and effect of Bacopa in elderly adults. Individuals were given 250 mg of Bacopa twice per day for 3 months. Results showed that all participants experienced improvements in cognitive fitness. Bacopa was well tolerated with no significant adverse effects.

We offer Bacognize®, a standardized extract of Bacopa monnieri, in the nutritional supplement Super Brain Booster. This product also includes other prized brain-support nutrients including alpha-GPC (glycerylphosphorylcholine), phosphatidylserine, and N-Acetyl-Tyrosine. Some additional nootropic nutrients include Fisetin, Pterostilbene, and Rhodiola rosea.

June is Brain Awareness Month. How many times today or this week have you walked into a room and forgot what you were doing or going to get? How about classroom work with you or your kids and year-end report cards or grades? Don’t wait for age and stress related effects to dampen your mental sharpness. Be proactive today and add some “smart nutrients” to your other good brain health habits!