Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri): Uses, Evidence and Safety
Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri, also called brahmi): its use in Ayurveda, what reviews of trials found for memory and attention, common stomach side effects, and gaps in safety data.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read herb safety and interactions before you use anything on this page.
Safety first: gaps in the safety data. A 2025 review of Bacopa safety describes it as generally non-toxic with no serious side effects reported, but says interactions with certain medicines and a caution in conditions such as hyperthyroidism should be considered, and that more research is needed on safety in pregnant and breastfeeding women. [1] Ask a pharmacist before combining it with medicines, and see How Interactions Work.
Overview
Bacopa monnieri is a plant often called brahmi, used in Ayurveda (the traditional medicine of India). [2] The studies below used standardized extracts. This page is the plant profile. The memory question is compared with other herbs in Ginkgo vs Ginseng vs Bacopa, and the Ayurvedic tradition is in Bacopa (Brahmi) in Ayurveda.Scientific name, plant part and a name trap
Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell is the accepted name in the GBIF plant database, in the family Plantaginaceae. [3] The reviews we read describe "extracts" and did not state the plant part in their abstracts, so we do not name one here. "Brahmi" is also used in Indian traditions for another plant, gotu kola (Centella asiatica). A review title treats "Brahmi" as covering both. [4] Check which plant a product or study means. See Gotu Kola.Traditional use (not proof)
The main reasons for using Bacopa in Ayurvedic medicine are given as memory improvement, insomnia, epilepsy and as an anxiety-calming herb. [2] This is tradition, and it is not offered as proof it works.What research shows (research, not tradition)
| Use | What the source found | Evidence label | Population and form studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory and thinking speed in adults | A meta-analysis of 9 trials (518 people, 12 weeks or longer) found faster scores on one attention test and reaction time, and said a large well-designed trial against an existing medicine is still needed. [5] | Promising but limited | Adults; standardized extracts of 12 weeks or longer |
| Memory recall | A systematic review of 6 trials (12 weeks each, extracts of 300 to 450 mg per day) found improvement on 9 of 17 memory free-recall tests, and little evidence for other thinking areas. [6] | Promising but limited | Adults without dementia; three extracts |
| Overall nootropic effect | Another analysis found modest improvements, but no two studies found significant change on the same two tests, and said evidence is limited. [7] | Mixed | Healthy people and people with memory loss |
| Alzheimer disease | A systematic review of 5 randomized trials found no difference from placebo or donepezil, on very low certainty evidence, and all studies were at high risk of bias. [8] | Insufficient evidence | Adults with Alzheimer disease or mild impairment; extracts, sometimes combined with other herbs |
| Children's attention and learning | A review of 5 studies reported small to medium effects and mild side effects in 2.3% of participants, and called for replicated designs. [9] | Promising but limited | Children and adolescents |
| Anxiety | Proper evidence not found in the sources we read for this page. We searched PubMed for Bacopa reviews and meta-analyses. | Not established | n/a |
Forms and why the form matters
The trials used standardized extracts, and different trials used different extracts. [6] One analysis noted that some positive results came from Bacopa mixed with other herbs, so they cannot be credited to Bacopa alone. [7] Results for an extract do not transfer to a tea, powder or blend. See Herb Forms and Preparations.Safety and who should ask first
- Common side effects: a StatPearls overview says the most common are digestive: increased stool frequency, nausea and abdominal cramps. [2]
- Medicines: the 2025 review says interactions with certain medicines should be considered. [1] The abstract we read does not list which medicines, so ask a pharmacist.
- Thyroid: the same review names hyperthyroidism as a condition needing caution. [1]
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: more research is needed. [1] Do not assume safety; see Pregnancy and Breastfeeding.
- Children: the review above found few side effects in studied children but called for better studies. [9] Ask a pediatrician.
- Liver and kidney, bleeding, surgery, allergy: not described in the sources we read. Tell the surgical team about every herb you use; see Supplements Before Surgery.
- Quality: Proper evidence not found on Bacopa-specific contamination or substitution in the sources we read. General testing is explained in Quality Testing and Certifications.
Frequently asked questions
Does bacopa improve memory?
Reviews found some improvement in memory recall and attention speed in trials of 12 weeks or more, but the evidence is limited. [5][6] For Alzheimer disease, a review found no difference from placebo. [8]
Is bacopa the same as brahmi?
Brahmi usually means Bacopa monnieri, but the name is also used for gotu kola. [4] Check the Latin name on a label.
What are the side effects of bacopa?
The most common are digestive: more frequent stools, nausea and cramps. [2]
Is bacopa safe in pregnancy or for children?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding safety needs more research. [1] Children's studies reported mild side effects but are few. [9]
Does bacopa interact with medicines?
A 2025 review says interactions with certain medicines should be considered. [1] Ask a pharmacist.
Related: Botanical and Mushroom Nootropics, Herbs for Memory, Focus and Brain Health.
References
- Bacopa monnieri: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence of Neuroactive Effects, Safety of Use and the Search for Improved Bioavailability. Nutrients 2025 (abstract). Available at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- Walker EA, Pellegrini MV. Bacopa monnieri. StatPearls (2023), abstract on PubMed. Available at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy record for Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell (species 3171169). Available at api.gbif.org. Read 2026-10-23.
- Exploring the Role of "Brahmi" (Bacopa monnieri and Centella asiatica) in Brain Function and Therapy. Recent Pat Endocr Metab Immune Drug Discov 2011 (title only). Available at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract. J Ethnopharmacol 2014. Available at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- The cognitive-enhancing effects of Bacopa monnieri: a systematic review of randomized, controlled human clinical trials. J Altern Complement Med 2012. Available at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- The effectiveness of Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst. as a nootropic, neuroprotective, or antidepressant supplement: analysis of the available clinical data. Sci Rep 2021. Available at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- Basheer A et al. Use of Bacopa monnieri in the Treatment of Dementia Due to Alzheimer Disease: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Interact J Med Res 2022. Available at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- A systematic review of the Ayurvedic medicinal herb Bacopa monnieri in child and adolescent populations. Complement Ther Med 2016. Available at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.