What is Bacopa?
It's called Bacopa monnieri, water hyssop, Indian pennywort, herb of grace, Brahmi it's a very common herb that grows on a wetland in North and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, India, and Australia. For centuries this herb is used in Ayurveda only for one purpose, increasing memory, It has a very powerful rare molecule, called Bacosides and most of the health benefits are due to this molecule,(1),(2)
Let's see
What are the health benefits of Bacopa?
1,:-It acts as a very powerful antioxidant and helps the brain
Bacosides and some other compounds present in Bacopa acts as a very powerful antioxidant, it reacts with free radicals responsible for lipid peroxidation, these oxidized lipid molecules, in the end, lead to a neurodegenerative process which gives birth of
Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease
Now here the molecules present in Bacopa interact and prevents this lipid peroxidation, here it proves that Bacopa helps in brain problems Research studies also show that it helps in dementia and reverse the signs of
memory impairment
2,:- It has very powerful anti-inflammatory activities
It suppresses the release of pro-inflammatory cytokinins, a type of immune response which creates inflammation. It also inhibits enzymes, cyclooxygenase, caspases, and lipooxygenases these enzymes are responsible for generating pain and inflammation in the body, so Bacopa inhibit them, and by doing so it helps in pain and inflammation In one animal study, Bacopa is compared with diclofenac and indomethacin, the two most used drugs for inflammation and pain although more research is needed whatever animal studies we have, showBacopa is a powerful anti-inflammatory
3,:- May boost most of the brain functions
In Ayurveda, an alternative treatment method of India, this Bacopa, which is called Brahmi is used for memory enhancement what modern science says, the research studies indicate that increases dendritic lengths and branching, which means that dendrites, a part of nerve cells in the brain closely linked with memory and learning. by strengthening these dendrites Bacopa supports
Memory and learning
Significantly improve the speed of processing visual information
Improve memory, attention, and ability to process information
4,:- May help in ADHD
ADHD, (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), a neuro disorder, which is characterized by symptoms such as
Hyperactivity
Impulsivity
Inattentive news
Restlessness
Poor self-control
Bacopa is reported to help in this case, and significantly reduce these symptoms
5,:- May provide help in stress, anxiety, and depression
Research studies indicate that Bacopa is very powerful in this area
It elevates mood
Reduce the levels of cortisol, a hormone responsible for stress and anxiety Its anti-anxiety benefits are very close to lorazepam, a drug used for the treatment of
Anxiety
It reduces significantly depression Of course, more research is needed in this area, but whatever primary research information we have only shown that Bacopa is very friendly with brain
6,:-It can be helpful for heart
It lowers blood pressure both, systolic and diastolic, this it performs by generating nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels, increases blood flow
7,:-May help in Cancer
It has molecules, which have anti-cancer properties, research studies shows can kill, aggressive brain cancer cells can also be effective in skin and breast cancer but again these reports are from animals, rats there are no reports from humans more research is needed in this area
What is the negative impact?
It's very safe for most people, but some people develop some side effects such as nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea We don't have much information about its safety, it can interact with the medication if you are on any, so better inform your doctor before taking it.,(3),(4),(5)
Does it a good nootropic?
Well most of its activities are only for the brain, which makes it almost the first choice for nootropics
How to take it?
It's available in powder, tablets, capsule form doses are 300 to 450 mg, Bacopa extract per day powder can be used in the form of tea Some people mix the powder in butter, or ghee,(a form of clarified butter), and use it along with hot water or milk.
So where do we stand, from nootropics facts point of view, about nootropics activity no one can have doubt, as this bacopa, another name, Brahmi, is very old, time tested., and used by Ayurveda, Indian health system only for memory, now we know its good for a lot of other brain functions, we feel it can be trusted, should be tried as number one nootropics.