What is Bacopa Monnieri (Brahmi)?

Bacopa monnieri, also known as Brahmi, is a creeping plant that grows in tropical regions. This powerful herb has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 3,000 years.

It is known worldwide as the “miracle herb” or “herb of grace,” as Bacopa Monnieri is considered in the Ayurvedic tradition to bring calm and clarity to the mind.

Active ingredients in bacopa monnieri

Bacopa Monnieri contains powerful substances such as triterpenoid saponins (including bacosides A and B), alkaloids, flavonoids and glycosides.

The bacosides are the main active ingredients in the plant and are often used in extract form in supplements.

Each bacoside has a unique composition and may affect the body in different ways, primarily affecting brain cells and cognitive function, as suggested in some studies.

The operation

The approved health claims for Bacopa Monnieri are limited, but the following have already been sufficiently proven in scientific studies:

1. Helps with cognitive function : There is scientific evidence that Bacopa Monnieri can contribute to cognitive functions (e.g. memory, concentration, etc.)* (1) (2)
2. Helps protect cells from oxidative damage : Bacopa Monnieri contains a number of antioxidants such as betulinic acid, loliolide and quercetin, which may help protect cells from oxidative damage.* (3)

Good to know: Claims marked with (*) are health claims awaiting European approval.

Why choose a standardized extract?

It is important to choose a supplement that contains a standardized Bacopa Monnieri extract.

This means the extract is strictly controlled for its active ingredient content. This means you always know what you're getting, and the supplement works consistently every time.

The usual dosage in Bacopa Monnieri extracts ranges from 300 to 450 mg of Bacopa extract per day, standardized to 24% to 55% bacosides. (4) (5)

In our Brain Boost supplement we use a standardized Bacopa Monnieri extract that contains 25% Bacosides (350 mg) per dose.

Helpful tip: Bacopa monnieri truly shines when combined with other nootropics. If you decide to buy Bacopa monnieri as a supplement, we recommend always using it alongside other nootropics. A good example is our product Brain Boost, which offers an ideal blend of powerful nootropics in the right ratios for optimal effect.

Side effects of Brahmi

There is no evidence to date of side effects or toxicity of Brahmi in humans, even at higher doses.

Animal studies have also found no harmful effects with long-term use of Bacopa. (4) (6)

Bacopa Monnieri in Nootropics

Today, Brahmi is known as a natural nootropic. Nootropics, also known as "smart drugs," can contribute to overall mental clarity.

These can be both natural substances (such as herbs and plant extracts) and synthetic agents.

In nootropic stacks, Brahmi is often combined with other natural nootropics to enhance its effects.

Sources used

1.   Kongkeaw, C., Dilokthornsakul, P., Thanarangsarit, P., Limpeanchob, N., & Scholfield, C. N. (2013). Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract. Journal Of Ethnopharmacology , 151 (1), 528–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.008 
2. Aguiar, S., & Borowski, T. (2013). Neuropharmacological Review of the Nootropic Herb Bacopa monnieri. Rejuvenation Research , 16 (4), 313–326. https://doi.org/10.1089/rej.2013.1431
3. Neto, L.J.V., De Araujo, M.R., Moretti, R.C., Junior, Machado, N.M., Joshi, R.K., Buglio, D.D.S., Lamas, C.B., Direito, R., Laurindo, L.F., Tanaka, M., & Barbalho, S.M. (2024). Investigating the Neuroprotective and Cognitive-Enhancing Effects of Bacopa monnieri: A Systematic Review Focused on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Apoptosis. Antioxidants , 13 (4), 393. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13040393 
4. Walker, E. A., & Pellegrini, M. V. (2023, March 17). Bacopa monnieri . StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589635/ 
5. Pase, M. P., Kean, J., Sarris, J., Neale, C., Scholey, A. B., & Stough, C. (2012). The Cognitive-Enhancing Effects of Bacopa monnieri: A Systematic Review of Randomized, Controlled Human Clinical Trials. The Journal Of Alternative And Complementary Medicine , 18 (7), 647–652. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0367
6.  Ingkaninan, K. (2016). Acute and chronic toxicities of Bacopa monnieri extract in Sprague-Dawley rats. BMC Complementary And Alternative Medicine , 16 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1236-4