Overview
Bacopa is a plant that has been used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Do not confuse bacopa with gotu kola – both plants are sometimes called Brahmi.
Bacopa is commonly used for Alzheimer disease, memory and thinking skills (cognitive function), anxiety, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but there is limited scientific research to support these uses.
How does it work ?
Bacopa might increase certain brain chemicals that are involved in thinking, learning, and memory. Some research suggests that it might also protect brain cells from chemicals involved in Alzheimer disease.
Uses & Effectiveness
Possibly Ineffective for
- A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS). Bacopa does not seem to help keep IBS symptoms from returning after they have gone away for a while.
Insufficient Evidence for
- Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is unclear if bacopa is beneficial for reducing symptoms of ADHD.
- Memory and thinking skills (cognitive function). Some research shows that bacopa improves some memory and thinking skills, but not all research agrees.
- Depression. Early research shows that taking bacopa along with citalopram, an antidepressant, helps to reduce symptoms in people who have depression and don’t get full relief from citalopram.
- Alzheimer disease.
- Back pain.
- Heart failure and fluid build up in the body (congestive heart failure or CHF).
- High blood pressure.
- Insomnia.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Sexual problems that prevent satisfaction during sexual activity.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate bacopa for these uses.
Side Effects
Special Precautions and Warnings
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if bacopa is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Bacopa is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth by children 6-12 years old for up to 6 months.
Slow heart rate (bradycardia): Bacopa might slow down the heart rate. This could be a problem in people who already have a slow heart rate.
Gastrointestinal tract blockage: Bacopa might cause “congestion” in the intestines. This might cause problems in people who have a blockage in their intestines.
Ulcers: Bacopa might increase secretions in the stomach and intestines. There is concern that this could worsen ulcers.
Lung conditions: Bacopa might increase fluid secretions in the lung. There is concern that this could worsen lung conditions such as asthma or a lung disease that makes it harder to breathe (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD).
Thyroid disorders: Bacopa might increase levels of thyroid hormone. Bacopa should be used cautiously or avoided if you have a thyroid condition or take thyroid hormone medications.
Urinary tract obstruction: Bacopa might increase secretions in the urinary tract. There is concern that this could worsen urinary obstruction.
Interactions
We currently have no information for BACOPA Interactions.