bacopa monnieri nooroots nootropic supplement

Bacopa Monnieri: Nootropic Spotlight

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About the Author

Charlotte was awarded a Master of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Bristol. She is currently completing a PhD at the University of Leeds.

 

Contents

  • What is Bacopa Monnieri?
  • Bacopa Monnieri Benefits
  • Bacopa Monnieri Mechanism of Action
  • Bacopa Monnieri Side Effects

 

Bacopa Monnieri: A Health Guide to Safe and Effective Supplementation

 

bacopa monnieri nooroots nootropic supplements

 

What is Bacopa Monnieri?

A plant that has been used in Ayurvedic practices (ancient Indian medicine) for thousands of years, Bacopa monnieri (also known as Brahmi) thrives in tropical environments1. Bacopa monnieri has a reputation for improving attention and alertness, memory, brain function and for protecting against neuro-degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.2,3

 

Bacopa Monnieri Benefits

A plethora of evidence-based benefits are associated with Bacopa monnieri, including:
  • Attention and Memory boosting: Clinical trials have shown significant improvement in memory4, increased attention and alertness5 in adults, as well as enhanced cognitive performance in the aging6.
  • Anxiety and stress reducing: Studies have indicated an association between Bacopa monnieri and a reduction in depression and anxiety2,6.
  • Anti-inflammatory and Anti-diabetes: Research suggests that Bacopa monnieri can help diabetes and reduce inflammation5,7.

 

 

Bacopa Monnieri Mechanism of Action

The primary bio-active compound of Bacopa monnieri is known as bacoside A. There are several theories of how it works its nootropic powers:
  1. Free radicals are formed from oxygen in cells, and are useful for many physiological processes. However, at very high levels they cause oxidative stress and cell damage, which has been connected to the onset of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Free radical scavengers, like bacoside A, are antioxidants that prevent DNA damage by removing the excess free radicals7–9.
  2. It has been suggested that Bacopa monnieri protects against neuro-degenerative disease by decreasing the levels of β-amyloid, a peptide found in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s disease. Reducing the damage to the neurons in our brains, Bacopa monnieri slows cognitive decline2.
  3. Bacopa monnieri’s anti-inflammatory properties reduce inflammation in the brain, improving cerebral blood flow and inducing brain boosting effects.5

Bacopa monnieri can therefore boost our memory and attention span, and enhance our information processing!

 

Bacopa Monnieri Side Effects

There are very few known side effects to taking Bacopa monnieri, but with any supplement in extremely high doses (>600 mg, many times higher than in nooroots formulations!), there are some to be aware of1,10:

  • Stomach cramps
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhoea

   

Evidence

  1. 7 Emerging Benefits of Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bacopa-monnieri-benefits (accessed 2022 -05 -02).
  2. Uabundit, N.; Wattanathorn, J.; Mucimapura, S.; Ingkaninan, K. Cognitive Enhancement and Neuroprotective Effects of Bacopa Monnieri in Alzheimer’s Disease Model. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2010, 127 (1), 26–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.056.
  3. Roodenrys, S.; Booth, D.; Bulzomi, S.; Phipps, A.; Micallef, C.; G.Dip.App.Psyc; Smoker, J. Chronic Effects of Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri) on Human Memory. Neuropsychopharmacology 2002, 27 (2), 279–281. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0893-133X(01)00419-5.
  4. Stough, C.; Downey, L. A.; Lloyd, J.; Silber, B.; Redman, S.; Hutchison, C.; Wesnes, K.; Nathan, P. J. Examining the Nootropic Effects of a Special Extract of Bacopa Monniera on Human Cognitive Functioning: 90 Day Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial. Phytotherapy Research 2008, 22 (12), 1629–1634. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2537.
  5. Kongkeaw, C.; Dilokthornsakul, P.; Thanarangsarit, P.; Limpeanchob, N.; Norman Scholfield, C. Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials on Cognitive Effects of Bacopa Monnieri Extract. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2014, 151 (1), 528–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.008.
  6. Calabrese, C.; Gregory, W. L.; Leo, M.; Kraemer, D.; Bone, K.; Oken, B. Effects of a Standardized Bacopa Monnieri Extract on Cognitive Performance, Anxiety, and Depression in the Elderly: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2008, 14 (6), 707–713. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0018.
  7. Vishnupriya, P.; Padma, V. V. A Review on the Antioxidant and Therapeutic Potential of Bacopa Monnieri. Reactive Oxygen Species 2017, 3 (8), 111–120.
  8. Saraf, M. K.; Prabhakar, S.; Khanduja, K. L.; Anand, A. Bacopa Monniera Attenuates Scopolamine-Induced Impairment of Spatial Memory in Mice. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2011, 2011, 236186. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/neq038.
  9. Mukherjee, S.; Dugad, S.; Bhandare, R.; Pawar, N.; Jagtap, S.; Pawar, P. K.; Kulkarni, O. Evaluation of Comparative Free-Radical Quenching Potential of Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri) and Mandookparni (Centella Asiatica). Ayu 2011, 32 (2), 258–264. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.92549.
  10. BACOPA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-761/bacopa (accessed 2022 -05 -02).

 

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