Bacopa monnieri is an Ayurvedic herb native to Australia and India. Its nootropic mechanisms are wide-ranging: In the brain, it inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, thereby reducing breakdown of the major neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Furthermore, Bacopa has anti-oxidant properties via several mechanisms, such as promotion of glutathione (1). As a result, the herb has potential across several nootropic domains including focus, memory & mood.

A study with double-blind, placebo-controlled independent-group design showed 300mg supplementation in healthy participants led to significant improvement in visual processing information speed (2). Interestingly, the effect was maximal after twelve weeks of intake.Evidence for Bacopa’s memory benefits exists across a range of population ages: In younger populations, a randomised placebo-controlled trial on medical students in India demonstrated enhanced story recall ability (3). In the elderly, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed 300mg daily supplementation lead to increased word recall memory scores (4).

The aforementioned randomised controlled trial on elderly populations also demonstrated a significant decrease in CESD-10 depression scores (4), showcasing Bacopa’s potential to possess mood-lifting properties.

Overall, Bacopa is a naturally occurring and wide-ranging nootropic that is safe to use, with animal and human trials having demonstrated no major adverse effects (1).