Bacopa – A Calming Nutrient that Boosts Cognitive Function

Bacopa monniera is a traditional Ayurvedic herb used for centuries as a memory enhancing, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and relaxant. Its unique combination of memory/cognitive performance boosting function along with a calming effect make it an ideal nutrient to help maintain composure while enhancing cognitive function.

Bacopa has been shown in animal studies to reduce both anxiety and depression¹.  Partly this is due to balancing function of seratonin, dopamine, and noradnrealine and partly due to reducing the high levels of cortisol².  Earlier animal studies also prove the ability of the herb to help tolerate stress and have a more balanced or adapted response to that stress.  The newest animal study shows that Bacopa enhances antioxidant function⁴ in the brain and reduces free radical damage in brain synapses, which supports better brain plasticity.  This study also proved Bacopa helped boost choline nerve transmission, which is associated with memory and cognitive performance.  Another study has shown that Bacopa can maintain cognitive function even in a low oxygen brain situation⁵.

In order to keep your brain running smoothly it is vital to have a baseline of calmness in your head, something you could also refer to as your natural brakes.  GABA is a relaxing neurotransmitter but it is often lacking under chronic stress and there are literally fewer GABA receptors that function – in turn making a person feel hyper, anxious, and/or too wound up.  As it turns out Bacopa is able to increase the number of GABA receptors⁶, a highly useful attribute. Bacopa also interacts with serotonin receptors in a way that smoothes out serotonin function⁷, a feature that is likely to be mood elevating. 

Bacopa has been shown in human clinical trials to boost memory and cognitive function⁸.  Australian researchers demonstrated this fact in a 90 day double blind study.  In healthy human subjects Bacopa was found to boost higher cognitive function and learning⁹.  A 12-week study in patients with age-associated memory impairment¹⁰ found that Bacopa significantly improved mental control, logical memory, digit forward, digit backward, visual reproduction and paired associate learning.

Bacopa is yet one more nutrient with brain enhancing attributes.  Its unique combination of supporting a calmer mood while boosting performance is going to help many people.