Bacopa plant studies and mental health improvement - health benefit review

Bacopa monnieri is an Ayurvedic herb used in India for memory enhancement, epilepsy, insomnia, and as a mild sedative. Bacopa commonly grows in marshy areas throughout India. Studies show that bacopa has antioxidant properties, protects mental function in those with epilepsy who take the drug phenytoin, while a study on rats showed bacopa administration improves learning skills.  Recent human studies show bacopa has the ability to improve memory and mood. Other supplements used in mind enhancement include Vinpocetine-5mg and Galantamine.
   Laboratory studies show that bacopa monnieri extracts reduce divalent metals, scavenge reactive oxygen species, decrease the formation of lipid peroxides, and inhibit lipoxygenase activity.

What's in Bacopa?
Two saponins, designated as bacopaside I and II, are found in Bacopa monniera. Additional phytochemicals betulinic acid, wogonin and oroxindin have been isolated from the aerial parts of Bacopa monnieri and showed significant antifungal activity. Additional active components of bacopa monnieri plant.are many, but include dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins classified as pseudojujubogenin and jujubogenin glycosides.

Bacopa Extract, 225 mg dosage, 120 Tablets - Planetary Formulas
Bacopa monniera has been revered for centuries in the Ayurvedic herbal tradition of India to enhance clear thinking and support memory function. Studies have shown that Bacopa monniera supports learning and memory in humans. In animal models, Bacopa monniera provides antioxidant protection for critical memory centers and helps to reduce the effects of stress on the brain. Traditional application suggests that Bacopa has a direct effect on improving brain functions, increasing concentration, and in promoting memory functions. Bacosides play a protective role in the synaptic functions of the nerves in the hippocampus, the seat of memory. Nerve impulses are transmitted across the synapses and their degeneration is believed to contribute to impaired memory and cognition.

Supplement Facts
Amount Per Serving
Bacopa Whole Plant Extract - 450 mg
   (20% bacosides A+B)

* Bacopa daily value not established.

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Bacopa: Ayurvedic Memory Herb
Researchers at the Department of Psychology, University of Wollongong, in Woolongong, Australia, recently studied the effects of Bacopa on human memory. Seventy-six adults aged between 40 and 65 years took part in a double-blind randomized, placebo control study in which various memory functions were tested and levels of anxiety measured. There were three testing sessions: one prior to the trial, one after three months on the trial, and one six weeks after the completion of the trial. The results showed a significant effect of bacopa on a test for the retention of new information. Follow-up tests showed that the rate of learning was unaffected, suggesting that bacopa decreases the rate of forgetting of newly acquired information.

Additional benefits of Bacopa
Bacopa has antioxidant properties. One rodent study indicates bacopa to have some potential in helping protect the stomach from ulcers.

Bacopa Side Effects
Long term side effects are currently not fully understood.

Bacopa studies
Chronic effects of Brahmi on human memory.
Roodenrys S. niversity of Wollongong, Woolongong, Australia.
Neuropsychopharmacology. 2002 Aug;27(2):279-81.
A study is reported on the effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monniera) on human memory. Seventy-six adults aged between 40 and 65 years took part in a double-blind randomized, placebo control study in which various memory functions were tested and levels of anxiety measured. There were three testing sessions: one prior to the trial, one after three months on the trial, and one six weeks after the completion of the trial. The results show a significant effect of the Bacopa monniera on a test for the retention of new information. Follow-up tests showed that the rate of learning was unaffected, suggesting that Bacopa monniera decreases the rate of forgetting of newly acquired information. Tasks assessing attention, verbal and visual short-term memory and the retrieval of pre-experimental knowledge were unaffected. Questionnaire measures of everyday memory function and anxiety levels were also unaffected.

The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects.
Stough C. School of Biophysical Science and Electrical Engineering, Victoria, Australia.
Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2001 Aug;156(4):481-4
Extracts of Bacopa monniera have been reported to exert cognitive enhancing effects in animals. However, the effects on human cognition are inconclusive. The current study examined the chronic effects of an extract of bacopa on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. The study was a double-blind placebo-controlled independent-group design in which subjects were randomly allocated to one of two treatment conditions, bacopa (300 mg) or placebo. Neuropsychological testing was conducted pre-(baseline) and at 5 and 12 weeks post drug administration. Bacopa significantly improved speed of visual information processing measured by the IT task, learning rate and memory consolidation measured by the AVLT and state anxiety compared to placebo, with maximal effects evident after 12 weeks. These findings suggest that Bacopa monniera may improve higher order cognitive processes that are critically dependent on the input of information from our environment such as learning and memory.

Bacopa plant supplement emails
Mind Power Rx seams to be a grate alternative to taking higher doses of only bacopa. Do you think its necessary to take brakes from Mind Power Rx as well, or can it be taken during longer periods with out brakes?
   As with almost any supplement, we prefer people take a break once in a while, there are no firm guidelines.

Can the herb yohimbe bark be taken the same day as bacopa, please let me know of this information. I take bacopa since studies show mental health benefits.
   The aphrodisiac herb is quite potent and we don't suggest taking them the same day.