Bacopa monnieri in its natural form doesn’t look especially impressive—it is a creeping succulent with small white flowers that thrives in swamps and bogs. However, this unassuming plant has been India’s go-to brain tonic for more than 3,000 years, and modern research is beginning to understand why.
Cognition and Memory
Known in Ayurvedic medicine as a natural nootropic—a substance that enhances cognitive function—Bacopa is traditionally used to improve memory, sharpen focus, and protect the aging brain.A 2024 study published in the Journal of Psychiatry and Cognitive Behaviour examined the effects of Bacopa on cognitive function and memory in 80 healthy adults. Participants received either 300 mg of Bacopa (containing 90 mg of bacosides, the plant’s primary active compounds) or a placebo daily for 12 weeks.
