When people think of nootropics, they often think of new and novel substances that were created in a laboratory within the past 100 years or so. But some of the best, safest, and most effective nootropics are actually thousands of years old. One of those nootropics is bacopa monnieri.

Bacopa monnieri – or simply bacopa for short –  is a plant-derived natural medicine that has been around for thousands of years. It has been widely used in traditional medicine to improve mental functioning. Bacopa has also been traditionally used to treat a number of physical conditions as well. However, only recently has it started to gain popularity as a modern nootropic.

In this article, we're going to take an in-depth look at bacopa monnieri, it's benefits, safety, and more. But first, let's take a look at what bacopa is.

What is bacopa monnieri?

Bacopa monnieri (also known as brahmi or water hyssop but usually simply referred to as bacopa) is a perennial herb that grows naturally all over the world.¹ It's been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to improve mental functioning and to treat a number of physical illnesses.²

More recently, bacopa has been used to reduce anxiety, improve mood, increase memory, and as a general cognitive enhancer. It's sold as a dietary supplement and is readily available online. Bacopa is considered to be an adaptogenic herb.³ Adaptogens help to normalize functions in the body.

Bacopa is known to affect the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).⁴ These neurotransmitters are involved in memory, mood, anxiety, and more. Here's a quick rundown of what each neurotransmitter is associated with:

• Dopamine – focus, memory, reward, pleasure, and anxiety.
• Serotonin – mood, appetite, and sleep.
• Acetylcholine – memory and muscle function.
• GABA – anxiety, stress, relaxation, and sleep.

In addition to bacopa's effect on several neurotransmitters, it has also been shown to promote communication between neurons (aka nerve/brain cells).⁵ It increases the growth of nerve endings, enhancing the rate at which the nervous system can communicate.

Bacopa is also a potent antioxidant.⁶ Antioxidants protect cells – in this case, brain cells – from breaking down. Lastly, bacopa monnieri has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. In a scientific paper published in 2017, bacopa was found to reduce inflammation in the brain.⁷

Nootropic benefits of bacopa

Bacopa monnieri has several potential nootropic benefits. Users often report that it improves their mood and memory, reduces their anxiety and stress, and acts as a general cognitive enhancer. Here are some of the nootropic benefits of bacopa that have been reported:

• Improved mood
• Reduced anxiety
• Improved memory
• Promotes healthy neurotransmitter levels
• Increased focus
• Overall improvement in cognitive performance

Given the way bacopa seems to work in the body and brain, these benefits aren't surprising. From the way bacopa affects neurotransmitter levels to its powerful antioxidant properties, it's not hard to see the link between its mechanisms of action and the benefits that are often reported from taking it.

How to take bacopa monnieri

Bacopa does not work instantly. It may take several weeks before you notice the full benefits of supplementing with bacopa monnieri. However, many people report an instant reduction in anxiety and/or improvement in mood after their first dose. But it can take several weeks before you notice bacopa's full benefits.

Bacopa may be taken with or without food, but probably absorbs best when taken on an empty stomach. However, for some people taking bacopa on an empty stomach can cause nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort. If you find that taking it on an empty stomach causes these negative effects, try taking bacopa with a small meal. Most people find that doing so reduces or eliminates the nausea and upset stomach.

The recommended starting dosage of bacopa monnieri 300 milligrams a day.³ Many people find this dosage to be enough to experience bacopa's benefits. However, a higher dosage might be needed. Studies have shown dosages of up to 640 mg a day to be safe.⁸ And again, to experience bacopa's full range of benefits, it needs to be taken daily for at least a few weeks.

Bacopa negative effects

Bacopa monnieri is extremely well tolerated. Most people who take bacopa monnieri don't report any unwanted effects and there is plenty of science to demonstrate its safety. A meta-analysis published in 2014 concluded that the vast majority of people who take bacopa never experience any negative effects.⁹ However, they can occur but are usually mild and go away as soon as supplementation is discontinued.

The most commonly reported negative effect of bacopa is upset stomach. This can usually be remedied by taking bacopa with food. Other potential negative effects may include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and dry mouth.^{2 9}

If you are taking prescription antidepressants, especially any that are in a class of drugs known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), you should talk to your doctor before taking bacopa. An unlikely-yet-potentially-life-threatening interaction called serotonin syndrome could occur. No known cases of serotonin syndrome have ever been reported with bacopa. But since it increases serotonin in the brain, it is theoretically possible.

You should consult with a licensed medical professional before starting or stopping any drug, supplement, exercise routine, or behavioral program. This can be especially important if you're currently taking one-or-more prescription drugs. Since most doctors aren't informed about nootropics, you may have to educate yours about bacopa monnieri.

Where to buy bacopa

Though you're unlikely to come across bacopa monnieri in brick-and-mortar stores, it is one of the easiest nootropics to find online. If you're looking for bacopa in capsule form, most online nootropic vendors offer it including one of my all-time favorite and most-trusted businesses, Pure Nootropics. They have great products, reasonable prices, fast shipping, and excellent customer service. You can also find bacopa in capsule form from a number of different companies on Amazon, though these will vary in quality.

If you're looking for bacopa in powder form, you can find it at another one of my favorite nootropic vendors: Science.bio. Like all their products, their brahmi (bacopa) powder is of the highest quality and each batch undergoes independent testing to ensure its purity and potency. If you've never checked out Science.bio, you should. They have a wider selection of nootropic products than any other company. And their prices are reasonable, their shipping fast and discreet, and their customer service excellent.

Conclusion

Bacopa monnieri is a potent natural nootropic that has been in use for centuries. Sometimes referred to as brahmi, this nootropic plant has an excellent safety profile and seems to be effective for many of the people who try it. Just keep in mind that it may take several weeks of daily use to notice the nootropic benefits of bacopa.

To learn about some other nootropic plants, check out this post: The Top 5 Natural Nootropics. Have you tried bacopa monnieri? If so, what has your experience with it been like? Please leave your answer in the comments section at the bottom. And if you haven't already, make sure to sign up for the NZ newsletter below.

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