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Bacopa Monnieri

Bacopa monnieri is an Ayurvedic herb whose active compounds, called bacosides, are thought to support communication between nerve cells and protect them from damage. Most people look at it for memory, and the evidence is moderate: trials in about 645 people found memory scores improved, though the effect was small. Attention showed no clear difference, and a small study in Alzheimer's disease found none either, so the findings mostly apply to memory in generally healthy adults, including older ones.

Sources: PMID 20590480; PMID 20703343

Best evidence
Grade B
Conditions studied
11
Outcomes
53
Graded outcomes
0155

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

11 conditions

Memory Improvement

Memory Improvement: outcomes studied for Bacopa Monnieri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Memory

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect12 studies645 people

Studies that measured memory

and 2 more in the citations list

Attention

No effect

NoneNo effect645 people
Motor SpeedImproves (the measure goes up)60 people
Reaction TimeImproves (the measure goes up)60 people
Working MemoryImproves (the measure goes up)60 people

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): outcomes studied for Bacopa Monnieri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anhedonia

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect1 study42 people

Studies that measured anhedonia

Depression SymptomsChanges; see studies42 people

Cognitive Improvement

  • Anxiety Symptoms: improves
  • Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
  • Memory: improves
Cognitive Improvement: outcomes studied for Bacopa Monnieri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anxiety Symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect236 people
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms

No effect

NoneNo effect1 study34 people

Studies that measured alzheimer's disease symptoms

MemoryImproves (the measure goes up)12 studies516 people

Studies that measured memory

and 2 more in the citations list

Stress Signs and SymptomsChanges; see studies1 study24 people

Studies that measured stress signs and symptoms

Arterial StiffnessChanges; see studies24 people
AttentionImproves (the measure goes up)370 people
Blood PressureChanges; see studies72 people
Depression SymptomsChanges; see studies124 people
Fatigue SymptomsChanges; see studies24 people
Intermediate-Term MemoryImproves (the measure goes up)36 people
Motor SpeedImproves (the measure goes up)96 people
Numerical MemoryImproves (the measure goes up)36 people
Reaction TimeImproves (the measure goes up)156 people
Serum BDNFImproves (the measure goes up)36 people
Short-Term Memory (Simple)Improves (the measure goes up)36 people
Verbal MemoryImproves (the measure goes up)36 people
Working MemoryImproves (the measure goes up)242 people

Mental Resilience

  • Alertness: improves
  • Cortisol: changes; see studies
  • Stress Signs and Symptoms: changes; see studies
Mental Resilience: outcomes studied for Bacopa Monnieri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Alertness

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect17 people
CortisolChanges; see studies1 study17 people

Studies that measured cortisol

Stress Signs and SymptomsChanges; see studies1 study17 people

Studies that measured stress signs and symptoms

AttentionImproves (the measure goes up)17 people

Mood Improvement

  • Anxiety Symptoms: improves
  • Memory: improves
  • Attention: improves
Mood Improvement: outcomes studied for Bacopa Monnieri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anxiety Symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect48 people
MemoryImproves (the measure goes up)12 studies48 people

Studies that measured memory

and 2 more in the citations list

AttentionImproves (the measure goes up)48 people
Depression SymptomsChanges; see studies48 people

Stress

  • Alertness: improves
  • Cortisol: changes; see studies
  • Stress Signs and Symptoms: changes; see studies
Stress: outcomes studied for Bacopa Monnieri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Alertness

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect17 people
CortisolChanges; see studies1 study17 people

Studies that measured cortisol

Stress Signs and SymptomsChanges; see studies1 study17 people

Studies that measured stress signs and symptoms

AttentionImproves (the measure goes up)17 people

Age Associated Memory Impairment And Cognitive Decline Aamcd

  • Attention
Age Associated Memory Impairment And Cognitive Decline Aamcd: outcomes studied for Bacopa Monnieri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Attention

No effect

NoneNo effect65 people

Focus & Attention

  • Attention
  • Memory: improves
Focus & Attention: outcomes studied for Bacopa Monnieri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Attention

No effect

NoneNo effect645 people
MemoryImproves (the measure goes up)12 studies645 people

Studies that measured memory

and 2 more in the citations list

Age-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD)

  • Attention
  • Memory: improves
  • Basophil Count: improves
Age-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD): outcomes studied for Bacopa Monnieri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Attention

No effect

NoneNo effect65 people
MemoryImproves (the measure goes up)12 studies249 people

Studies that measured memory

and 2 more in the citations list

Basophil CountImproves (the measure goes up)65 people
Eosinophil countChanges; see studies65 people
Granulocyte CountImproves (the measure goes up)65 people
HemoglobinImproves (the measure goes up)65 people
Lymphocyte CountImproves (the measure goes up)65 people
Monocyte CountImproves (the measure goes up)65 people
Processing SpeedImproves (the measure goes up)65 people
Short-Term Memory (Simple)Improves (the measure goes up)65 people
White Blood Cell CountImproves (the measure goes up)65 people
Working MemoryImproves (the measure goes up)65 people

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

  • Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms: changes; see studies
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): outcomes studied for Bacopa Monnieri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Alzheimer's Disease SymptomsChanges; see studies1 study34 people

Studies that measured alzheimer's disease symptoms

Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms: changes; see studies
Alzheimer’s Disease: outcomes studied for Bacopa Monnieri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Alzheimer's Disease SymptomsChanges; see studies1 study34 people

Studies that measured alzheimer's disease symptoms

What the published studies found

3 automated readings

Automated reading of the published studies (Decosa evidence engine), for outcomes Dr. Grey has not graded yet. It is not a Dr. Grey grade and does not change one. How it is read

  • Anxiety

    The studies read are too weak to tell whether Bacopa Monnieri changes anxiety. The evidence is very weak.

    2 studies counted of 9 read: 2 trials (93 people in the trials).
    1. Crossover trial, 2014; 17 people; healthy volunteers: improves. PubMed 23788517PubMed 23788517
    2. Randomised trial, 2002; 76 people; adults aged 40 to 65 years: no clear difference. Questionnaire measures of everyday memory function and anxiety levels were also unaffected. Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memoryPubMed 12093601

    Automated reading of the published studies (Decosa evidence engine), run 30 Sep 2026. It reads abstracts, can miss studies, and a repeat run can differ.

  • Blood pressure

    The studies read are too weak to tell whether Bacopa Monnieri changes blood pressure. The evidence is very weak.

    1 study counted of 4 read: 1 trial (54 people in the trials).
    1. Randomised trial, 2008; 54 people: no clear difference. No effects were found on the DAT, WAIS digit task, mood, or blood pressure. Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialPubMed 18611150

    Automated reading of the published studies (Decosa evidence engine), run 30 Sep 2026. It reads abstracts, can miss studies, and a repeat run can differ.

  • Stress

    The 3 studies read (128 people in all) mostly found an improvement in stress. The evidence is limited.

    Side effects: 1 of the 2 studies that reported on them found more with Bacopa Monnieri (digestive complaints and headaches).

    3 studies counted of 11 read: 3 trials (128 people in the trials).
    1. Randomised trial, 2025; 87 people; healthy adults with self-reported memory and attention problems: improves. greater reductions in overall self-reported stress reactivity The Effects of a Bacopa monnieri Extract (Bacumen®) on Cognition, Stress, and Fatigue in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled TrialPubMed 41091332
    2. Crossover trial, 2014; 17 people; seventeen healthy volunteers: improves. PubMed 23788517PubMed 23788517
    3. Crossover trial, 2013; 24 people; twenty-four healthy volunteers: no clear difference. treatments had no effect upon cardiovascular activity or in attenuating task-induced ratings of stress and … PubMed 23281132PubMed 23281132

    Automated reading of the published studies (Decosa evidence engine), run 30 Sep 2026. It reads abstracts, can miss studies, and a repeat run can differ.

Key findings

  • MemoryMemory ImprovementImproves (the measure goes up)
  • AnhedoniaMajor Depressive Disorder (MDD)Improves (the measure goes down)
  • Anxiety SymptomsCognitive ImprovementImproves (the measure goes down)

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Third-party tested Bacopa Monnieri products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.

  • Grade B

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Studies cited

26 studies from PubMed

  1. Safety Profile of Bacopa monnieri in Clinical TrialsComplement Ther Med, 2019 · PMID 30645684
  2. Effects of Bacopa monnieri on Memory: A Review of Clinical EvidenceEvid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2018 · PMID 29615762
  3. Bacopa monnieri and Attention: A Systematic ReviewMedicines, 2018 · PMID 30259645
  4. Bacopa monnieri and Pediatric Cognitive Function: A ReviewNutrients, 2018 · PMID 29533252
  5. Bacopa monnieri and Cognitive Enhancement: A Systematic ReviewJ Altern Complement Med, 2017 · PMID 28899506
  6. Neuroprotective Effects of Bacopa monnieri: A ReviewRejuvenation Res, 2017 · PMID 28419227
  7. Anxiolytic Effects of Bacopa monnieri: Mechanisms and Clinical EvidencePhytother Res, 2017 · PMID 28771417
  8. Bacopa monnieri and Neuroprotection: Mechanisms of ActionJ Ethnopharmacol, 2017 · PMID 28127504
  9. Meta-Analysis of Bacopa monnieri on Cognitive Function and AnxietyJ Ethnopharmacol, 2016 · PMID 27473605
  10. Bacopa monnieri in Older Adults: Clinical Evidence ReviewJ Psychopharmacol, 2016 · PMID 27545252
  11. Bacopa monnieri as augmentation therapy in the treatment of anhedonia, preclinical and clinical evaluationPhytother Res · PMID 32236999
  12. Does Bacopa monnieri improve memory performance in older persons? Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trialJ Altern Complement Med · PMID 20590480
  13. Randomized controlled trial of standardized Bacopa monniera extract in age-associated memory impairmentIndian J Psychiatry · PMID 20703343
  14. An acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 320 mg and 640 mg doses of a special extract of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on sustained cognitive performancePhytother Res · PMID 23281132
  15. Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialJ Altern Complement Med · PMID 18611150
  16. Brahmi for the better? New findings challenging cognition and anti-anxiety effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monniera) in healthy adultsPsychopharmacology · PMID 23354535
  17. The Neurocognitive Effects of Bacopa monnieri and Cognitive Training on Markers of Brain Microstructure in Healthy Older AdultsFront Aging Neurosci · PMID 33692683
  18. Efficacy of Standardized Extract of Bacopa monnieri (Bacognize®) on Cognitive Functions of Medical Students: A Six-Week, Randomized Placebo-Controlled TrialEvid Based Complement Alternat Med · PMID 27803728
  19. The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjectsPsychopharmacology · PMID 11498727
  20. The acute effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy normal subjectsHum Psychopharmacol · PMID 12404571
  21. Effects of 12-Week Bacopa monnieri Consumption on Attention, Cognitive Processing, Working Memory, and Functions of Both Cholinergic and Monoaminergic Systems in Healthy Elderly VolunteersEvid Based Complement Alternat Med · PMID 23320031
  22. Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memoryNeuropsychopharmacology · PMID 12093601
  23. Examining the nootropic effects of a special extract of Bacopa monniera on human cognitive functioning: 90 day double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trialPhytother Res · PMID 18683852
  24. Efficacy of Bacopa Monnieri (Brahmi) and Donepezil in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Double-Blind Parallel Phase 2b StudyAnn Indian Acad Neurol · PMID 33688125
  25. The effectiveness of Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst. as a nootropic, neuroprotective, or antidepressant supplement: analysis of the available clinical dataSci Rep · PMID 33436817
  26. 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 moodPhytother Res · PMID 23788517

Protocols that include Bacopa Monnieri