ADHD

• In 2014 Advances in Mind-Body Medicine published a study in which 31 children with ADHD between the ages of 6 – 12 received 225 mg/d of Bacopa monnieri extract for 6 months. Restlessness was reduced in 93 percent of the children and attention-deficit was reduced in 85 percent.

Alzheimer’s

• In 2008 the Journal of Ethnopharmacology published an in vitro study which found that bacopa protected neurons from cell death cased by beta-amyloid (a substance known to cause Alzheimer’s) while also promoting cell survival.

Improved cognitive performance

• In 2008 the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which 48 subjects were treated with either a placebo or 300 mg/day of bacopa for 12 weeks. The bacopa group recalled words faster and had reduced anxiety, depression and lower heart rate compared to the placebo group.
• In 2016 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine published a double-blind trial in which 60 medical students received either 150 mg Bacopa monnieri or a placebo for 6 weeks. At the end of the study period the bacopa group scored higher on tests relating to cognitive function and memory.
• In 2012 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine published a study in which 60 healthy elderly subjects received either 600 mg bacopa or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Compared to the placebo group the bacopa group showed faster memory response times.
• In 2012 the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published a review of 6 studies which showed that bacopa improved performance on 9 of 17 tests related to memory recall.
• In 2001 Psychopharmacology published a double-blind study which showed that 300 mg/day bacopa significantly improved the speed of visual information processing and the rate of learning when compared to a placebo.
• In 2008 Phytotherapy Research published a study in which 62 patients were given either a placebo or 300 mg/day bacopa for 90 days. At the end of the study cognitive tests showed that, compared to a placebo, the bacopa group saw significant improvement in working memory and visual information processing.
• In 2014 the Journal of Ethnopharmacology published a meta-analysis of 9 studies involving 518 subjects for which the data showed that Bacopa monnieri has the potential to improve cognition, particularly the ‘speed of attention.’

Improved memory

• In 2002 Neuropsychopharmacology published a double-blind study of 76 subjects which found that, compared to a placebo, treatment with Bacopa monnieri for 3 months was able to significantly increase the ability of adults to retain new information.
• In 2010 the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published a 12-week, double-blind study in which 81 subjects over the age of 55 received either 300 mg/day bacopa or a placebo. The bacopa group saw significant improvements in verbal learning, memory and ability to recall information quickly when compared to individuals in a placebo group.

Parkinson’s

• In 2011 Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications published an in vitro study which showed that Bacopa monnieri worked to prevent key processes involved in the onset of Parkinson’s disease.

Safety

• In 2016 BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine published an animal study in which rats were given both a single mega-dose of bacopa as well as a high daily dose for 270 days to measure both acute and chronic toxicity potential. Both tests showed no signs of toxicity or adverse effects.

Hypertension

• In 2011 the Journal of Ethnopharmacology published an animal study which showed that Bacopa monnieri was able to reduce blood pressure in rats by dilating blood vessels though the release of nitric oxide.

Anti-Inflammatory

• In 2014 Food & Function published an in vitro study which showed that Bacopa monnieri may have potential in managing diseases involving chronic brain inflammation related to the immune system.

Antioxidant

• In 2015 Pharmacognosy Magazine published an animal study which showed that Bacopa monnieri acted as anti-stress agent which was able to significantly extend the lifespan of worms in stressful conditions.

Counteracts mild cognitive impairment

• In 2014 Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment published a trial in which 104 older adults with mild cognitive impairment were given a supplement containing Bacopa monnieri, phosphatidylserine and vitamin E for 60 days. Cognitive test scores at the end of the study improved significantly, with memory-related tasks improving the most. Sixty-two percent of the subjects perceived the efficacy of the supplement as excellent or good.