Bacopa monnieri
Summary
Bacopa is an Ayurvedic herb. A pooled analysis of 9 trials (518 people) found faster attention and reaction time after at least 12 weeks (grade C), and a trial in adults 65+ found better delayed word recall. A 2025 trial of 101 middle-aged adults found no memory benefit. Benefits appeared only after weeks of use.
Key facts
- An Ayurvedic herb; extracts are standardised to bacosides (often 20–55%)[1]
- Speed of attention and choice reaction time after ≥12 weeks (9 RCTs, 518 people; grade C)[1]
- A 2025 12-week trial found no between-group change in verbal learning or other primary outcomes[3]
- 3 graded human outcomes on this page
- October 11, 2026
How it works
ProposedBacosides are proposed to support cholinergic signalling and antioxidant defences in the brain, based mainly on animal studies.[1]
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form column shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
| Outcome | Effect | Grade | Best evidence | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attention speed and reaction time | Improved | Grade C | Meta-analysis · n = 518 · 2014 Adults in 9 RCTs of standardised extracts for ≥12 weeks Form: Standardised Bacopa monnieri extract · Dose: Varied across trials · Duration: 12 weeks or longer Cognition improved versus placebo, particularly speed of attention and choice reaction time. | 24252493 (opens PubMed)Source [1] |
| Delayed word recall and attention in older adults | Improved | Grade C | RCT · n = 54 · 2008 Adults 65+ without dementia Form: Standardised Bacopa monnieri extract · Dose: 300 mg/day · Duration: 12 weeks Delayed word recall and Stroop scores improved versus placebo; depression and anxiety scores fell. | 18611150 (opens PubMed)Source [2] |
| Verbal learning and memory in midlife | No effect | No effect | RCT · n = 101 · 2025 Adults aged 40–70 with self-reported memory and attention problems Form: Bacopa monnieri extract (Bacumen) · Dose: 300 mg/day · Duration: 12 weeks No between-group differences in the primary cognitive outcomes. | 41091332 (opens PubMed)Source [3] |
Forms
| Form | Elemental % | Absorption (human data) | GI tolerance | Studied for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standardised extract (bacosides) | Varies | No head-to-head human absorption data between extracts in the sources cited here. | Generally tolerated in the 12-week trials cited here.[2] | All cognition trials cited here |
Studied doses
Doses studied in human trials ranged from 300 mg/day of standardised extract for 12 weeks (the older-adult and midlife trials cited here) to other standardised doses in the pooled analysis, all for at least 12 weeks.[2][3]
Interactions
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
None found in our sources.
Who should be careful
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- The trials cited here did not enrol pregnant or breastfeeding people.[1]
Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines.
Where to buy Bacopa monnieri
Products from brands we partner with that contain Bacopa monnieri. Listing a product is not a claim that it works; check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
- SupersmartPaid linkBacopa Monnieri6 capsules: 1,500 mg leaf extract standardised to 20% bacosides (250 mg per capsule), well above the 300 mg/day used in the trials above; 16 servingsShop at Supersmart (opens in new tab)Price and label checked 2026-10-11 on the brand’s site.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does bacopa take to work?
The pooled analysis included only trials of 12 weeks or longer; benefits were measured after that time.[1]
Does bacopa improve memory?
Results are mixed: some trials found better recall, while a 2025 trial found no difference from placebo.[2][3]
What dose was used in trials?
Most trials cited here used 300 mg/day of a standardised extract.[2][3]
Is bacopa the same as brahmi?
Brahmi is a common Ayurvedic name for Bacopa monnieri, though the name is sometimes also used for gotu kola.
Sources
- [1]Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract.. J Ethnopharmacol, 2014. meta-analysis
- [2]Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.. J Altern Complement Med, 2008. RCT
- [3]The Effects of a Bacopa monnieri Extract (Bacumen®) on Cognition, Stress, and Fatigue in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.. Clin Drug Investig, 2025. RCT
What changed
- First draft. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities (title, journal and year taken from the PubMed record) and each evidence row written from its PubMed abstract.