Bacopa Monnieri
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Bacopa Monnieri (Bacopa monnieri) is a dietary supplement with 15 published peer-reviewed studies involving 360 participants, researched for Memory Enhancement (Healthy Adults), Cognitive Function in the Elderly & Anxiety Reduction, Meta-Analyses & Systematic Reviews and 4 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Memory Enhancement (Healthy Adults)
ModerateCognitive Function in the Elderly & Anxiety Reduction
ModerateMeta-Analyses & Systematic Reviews
WeakMemory & Cognition
ModerateADHD & Attention
ModerateClinical trials
ModerateSystematic reviews
WeakResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Memory Enhancement (Healthy Adults)
To investigate effects of Bacopa Monnieri on verbal learning, memory consolidation, and information processing speed in healthy adults.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate effects of Bacopa Monnieri on verbal learning, memory consolidation, and information processing speed in healthy adults.
Dose
300 mg/day (standardized extract, 55% bacosides)
Participants
46 healthy volunteers aged 18-60 years
Duration
12 weeks (with assessments at 5 and 12 weeks)
Results
Significant improvements in verbal learning, memory consolidation, and information processing speed compared to placebo. Effects were observed at both 5-week and 12-week timepoints, suggesting early and sustained cognitive benefit.
How They Measured It
Verbal learning, memory consolidation, information processing assessments
To assess Bacopa Monnieri effects on memory performance and speed of attention in healthy middle-aged adults.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover
Purpose
To assess Bacopa Monnieri effects on memory performance and speed of attention in healthy middle-aged adults.
Dose
300 mg/day (standardized extract, 55% bacosides)
Participants
38 healthy adults aged 40-64 years
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Improved speed of attention on the Stroop task and modest memory improvements. Effects persisted post-cessation, suggesting lasting neuroplastic changes rather than purely pharmacological effects.
How They Measured It
Stroop task reaction time, memory performance tests
Cognitive Function in the Elderly & Anxiety Reduction
To evaluate Bacopa Monnieri effects on memory, cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in healthy elderly adults.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups
Purpose
To evaluate Bacopa Monnieri effects on memory, cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in healthy elderly adults.
Dose
300 mg/day (standardized extract, with 6-week placebo run-in)
Participants
54 healthy elderly adults (mean age 73.5 years), 48 completed
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Enhanced AVLT delayed word recall memory scores (p<0.05). Stroop performance improved. Depression and anxiety scores were significantly reduced. Heart rate decreased over time in the Bacopa group. These results suggest broad cognitive and mood benefits in older adults.
How They Measured It
AVLT (delayed recall), Stroop, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, depression scale, heart rate
To evaluate Bacopa Monnieri on attention, executive function, and working memory in healthy older adults.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Bacopa Monnieri on attention, executive function, and working memory in healthy older adults.
Dose
300 mg/day
Participants
40 healthy older adults aged over 50 years
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Improved attention, executive function, and working memory scores compared to placebo. Modest but consistent improvements on MMSE. Supplement was well-tolerated with no adverse events reported.
How They Measured It
MMSE, attention, executive function, and working memory tests
To evaluate effects of 12-week Bacopa monnieri consumption on attention, cognitive processing, working memory, and neurotransmitter function in healthy elderly
Study Type
Randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate effects of 12-week Bacopa monnieri consumption on attention, cognitive processing, working memory, and neurotransmitter function in healthy elderly
Dose
Bacopa monnieri extract (standardized)
Participants
Healthy elderly volunteers
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Bacopa improved attention, cognitive processing speed, and working memory in elderly subjects. Cholinergic and monoaminergic system function enhanced
How They Measured It
Attention tests, cognitive processing speed, working memory tasks, neurotransmitter markers
Meta-Analyses & Systematic Reviews
To quantify the cognitive-enhancing effects of Bacopa Monnieri across RCTs in healthy and cognitively impaired populations.
Study Type
Systematic review & meta-analysis
Purpose
To quantify the cognitive-enhancing effects of Bacopa Monnieri across RCTs in healthy and cognitively impaired populations.
Dose
300-600 mg/day (standardized extract)
Participants
9 RCTs, 518 subjects; 437 eligible for meta-analysis
Duration
12+ weeks across included studies
Results
Meta-analysis showed improved cognition by shortened Trail B test (-17.9 ms, 95% CI -24.6 to -11.2, p<0.001) and decreased choice reaction time (-10.6 ms, 95% CI -12.1 to -9.2, p<0.001). The study confirms Bacopa Monnieri reliably improves speed of attention. Researchers noted larger head-to-head trials are still needed.
How They Measured It
Trail Making Test B, choice reaction time (CRT), cognitive composite outcomes
Memory & Cognition
To evaluate cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract
Study Type
Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Purpose
To evaluate cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract
Dose
Bacopa monnieri extract (various doses)
Participants
Meta-analysis of 9 studies with 518 subjects
Duration
Various study durations
Results
Bacopa monnieri improved cognition, particularly speed of attention. Meta-analysis of 437 eligible subjects showed improved cognition by shortened Trail B test and decreased choice reaction time.
How They Measured It
Cognitive function tests, memory assessments
To assess effects of Bacopa monnieri on cognitive function, stress, and fatigue in healthy adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To assess effects of Bacopa monnieri on cognitive function, stress, and fatigue in healthy adults
Dose
Bacumen® Bacopa monnieri extract
Participants
Healthy adults
Duration
8-12 weeks
Results
Bacopa monnieri significantly improved cognitive function and reduced stress and fatigue markers compared to placebo.
How They Measured It
Cognitive function tests, stress markers, fatigue scales
ADHD & Attention
To investigate effects of Bacopa monnieri on hyperactivity and inattention in male children and adolescents (BACHI Study)
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To investigate effects of Bacopa monnieri on hyperactivity and inattention in male children and adolescents (BACHI Study)
Dose
CDRI 08 Bacopa monnieri extract
Participants
112 males aged 6-14 years with symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity
Duration
6-8 weeks
Results
Significant improvements in inattention, hyperactivity, and cognitive function in Bacopa group compared with placebo.
How They Measured It
ADHD symptoms, attention, hyperactivity scales
Clinical trials
To investigate the effects of Bacopa Monnieri in neurocognitive effects a combined polyphenolic-rich herbal extract in healthy middle-aged adults - a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled stud
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Bacopa Monnieri in neurocognitive effects a combined polyphenolic-rich herbal extract in healthy middle-aged adults - a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled stud
Dose
Bacopa Monnieri (dose not specified)
Participants
52 healthy adults
Duration
28 days
Results
of a 28-day supplement intervention and 2-week follow-up study to assess changes in affect, cognition, cerebral haemodynamic response and BDNF in healthy middle-aged adults. The potential synergistic effects of polyphenolic compounds on neurocognitive function in middle-aged adults through emotional-cognitive processing and cognitive reserve are important for promoting brain and cognitive health.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Bacopa Monnieri in evaluating the effects of bacopa monnieri on cognitive performance and sleep quality of patients with mild cognitive impairment: a triple-blinded, ran
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Bacopa Monnieri in evaluating the effects of bacopa monnieri on cognitive performance and sleep quality of patients with mild cognitive impairment: a triple-blinded, ran
Dose
Bacopa Monnieri (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
Mild cognitive impairment is the middle level of natural cognitive impairment during primary steps of dementia. There are a few studies about improving the cognitive performance and sleep quality in patients with a limited dementia. So, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Bacopa monnieri on cognitive performance and sleep quality of patients with mild cognitive impairment.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Bacopa Monnieri in bacopa monnieri in patients with parkinson's disease: a pilot study.
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Bacopa Monnieri in bacopa monnieri in patients with parkinson's disease: a pilot study.
Dose
Bacopa Monnieri (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
90 days
Results
with B. monnieri , and a moderate correlation for 60 and 90 days of treatment with B. monnieri when compared with baseline time. A moderate correlation was found between motor outcomes and Hoehn and Yahr stages at baseline. Our results suggest that B. monnieri extract can improve emotional function in Parkinson's disease patients, but further clinical trials are needed to confirm this possibility.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
Systematic reviews
To investigate the effects of Bacopa Monnieri in phytotherapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd): a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Bacopa Monnieri in phytotherapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd): a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Dose
Bacopa Monnieri (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
nt of various symptoms of ADHD. Limited evidence was found for Ginkgo biloba L. and pine bark extract. However, various other preparations from other plants did not show significant efficacy. There is inadequate proof to strongly support and recommend the administration of herbal medicines for ADHD, but more research is needed in the relevant field to popularize the alternative treatment approach.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Bacopa Monnieri in the effect of plant active substances on cognitive function in healthy older adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized contr
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Bacopa Monnieri in the effect of plant active substances on cognitive function in healthy older adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized contr
Dose
Bacopa Monnieri (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
nt health concern for the older adults. The limited efficacy and common side effects of pharmacological interventions have made the exploration of safe non-pharmacological strategies an urgent need. Plant active substances have drawn much attention due to their multi-target neuroprotective properties, there is a lack of systematic comparative research on cognitive function in healthy older adults.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Bacopa Monnieri in a systematic review of the safety and efficacy on cognitive function of herbal and nutritional medicines in older adults with and without subjective c
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Bacopa Monnieri in a systematic review of the safety and efficacy on cognitive function of herbal and nutritional medicines in older adults with and without subjective c
Dose
Bacopa Monnieri (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
CI and reduce dementia risk, and the popularity of herbal and nutritional medicines, the primary aim of this review was to investigate the efficacy on cognitive function and safety of herbal and nutritional medicines (relative to a control) for older adults with and without SCI. The secondary aims were to describe the study characteristics and assess the methodological quality of included studies.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bacopa Monnieri research
There are currently 15 peer-reviewed studies on Bacopa Monnieri (Bacopa monnieri), involving 360 total participants. Research covers Memory Enhancement (Healthy Adults), Cognitive Function in the Elderly & Anxiety Reduction, Meta-Analyses & Systematic Reviews and 4 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (10 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Bacopa Monnieri has been researched for: Memory Enhancement (Healthy Adults), Cognitive Function in the Elderly & Anxiety Reduction, Meta-Analyses & Systematic Reviews, Memory & Cognition, ADHD & Attention, Clinical trials, Systematic reviews. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 10 out of 15 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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