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Also known as Brahmi, Water Hyssop
Ayurvedic herb whose bacosides are thought to enhance dendritic branching and cholinergic signalling; trials of standardised extract taken for 8-12 weeks show modest improvements in memory recall.
We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.
Number of audited published findings for Bacopa Monnieri by condition. Drill into a pair page for the full breakdown.
Where people report using it and what trials suggest
Common claims the trials do not support
Ayurvedic herb with delayed-onset memory benefits in small trials (12-week timelines); modern replication is thin.
Safety notes: GI cramping; cholinergic drug interactions; thyroid hormone changes reported in animals.
Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.
Summaries of published trial results for this compound, grouped by condition. Numbers are reported exactly as the researchers published them — we never calculate or convert.
How to read this table
In short: benefit is what was observed; evidence is how much you should trust the observation. A “Benefit seen” tag on a weak study counts for far less than the same tag on a meta-analysis.
| Outcome measured | What trials found | Effect size | People studied | Duration | Type of evidence | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive performance | Brahmi did not significantly improve cognitive performance compared to placebo.No clear benefit | no number reported | 72 | 12 weeks | RCT · 2013 | PMID 23354535 |
| State anxiety | Brahmi showed only a nonsignificant trend toward lower state anxiety compared to placebo.No clear benefit | no number reported | 72 | 12 weeks | RCT · 2013 | PMID 23354535 |
Associated conditions and community-reported outcomes, wrapped together on one page. Aggregates appear only once enough reports arrive.
How this compound is sold in the UK, and where our readers typically find it.
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| Outcome measured | What trials found | Effect size | People studied | Duration | Type of evidence | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choice reaction time | Bacopa reduced choice reaction time compared to placebo; the abstract reports 10.6 ms, with a negative confidence interval. (95% CI -12.1 to -9.2; p<0.001)Benefit seen | 10.6 ms | 437 | 12 weeks | Meta-analysis · 2014 | PMID 24252493 |
| Trail B test time | Bacopa shortened Trail B test time compared to placebo, with a reported difference of -17.9 ms. (95% CI -24.6 to -11.2; p<0.001)Benefit seen | -17.9 ms | 437 | 12 weeks | Meta-analysis · 2014 | PMID 24252493 |
| delayed word recall memory (AVLT) | Bacopa monnieri improved delayed word recall memory (AVLT) compared with placebo in older adults over 12 weeks (n=48).Benefit seen | no number reported | 48 | 12 weeks | RCT · 2008 | PMID 18611150 |
| depression (CESD-10) and anxiety (STAI) scores | Depression and anxiety scores improved with Bacopa monnieri but worsened with placebo over 12 weeks in older adults (n=48).Benefit seen | no number reported | 48 | 12 weeks | RCT · 2008 | PMID 18611150 |
| Divided Attention Task, WAIS digit task, mood, blood pressure | Bacopa monnieri showed no effect on divided attention, working memory, mood, or blood pressure compared with placebo (n=48).No clear benefit | no number reported | 48 | 12 weeks | RCT · 2008 | PMID 18611150 |
| Stroop Task performance | Stroop task performance improved with Bacopa monnieri while the placebo group showed no change over 12 weeks (n=48).Benefit seen | no number reported | 48 | 12 weeks | RCT · 2008 | PMID 18611150 |
| Attention and short-term memory | Brahmi did not improve attention or verbal and visual short-term memory compared to placebo.No clear benefit | no number reported | Seventy-six | three months | RCT · 2002 | PMID 12093601 |
| Everyday memory and anxiety | Brahmi did not improve questionnaire measures of everyday memory or anxiety compared to placebo.No clear benefit | no number reported | Seventy-six | three months | RCT · 2002 | PMID 12093601 |
| Retention of newly learned information | Brahmi improved retention of new information compared to placebo; the abstract gives no effect size.Benefit seen | no number reported | Seventy-six | three months | RCT · 2002 | PMID 12093601 |