New herb for memory loss: What is bacopa?

Post on March 18, 2025 by André Broussard, D.C.

By Julia Ries | Fact-checked by Barbara Bekiesz | Published March 18, 2025

Industry Buzz

  • “Bacopa monnieri, also known as Brahmi, is one of the traditional Ayurvedic herbs that’s been used for thousands of years to boost cognitive function. It’s considered a nootropic, which is a class of substances that enhance cognitive functioning and performance.” — Akil Palanisamy, MD, @doctorakil

Some patients are turning to holistic and alternative treatments such as herbal supplements to treat their cognitive decline. One herb that’s recently gained a lot of attention is bacopa, a plant traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for insomnia, epilepsy, and memory.[1][2]

Is it worth the hype?

Bacopa has been trending in the health world, and for good reason: A recent study highlighted bacopa’s widespread appeal, linking its consumption to notable enhancements in memory and cognitive function, including improved concentration, alertness, reasoning, and mental flexibility.[3]

Researchers observed improvements across multiple types of memory—short-term (both verbal and spatial), working, and episodic memory, which pertains to daily experiences.

Beyond memory, the study also pointed to significant mental health benefits. Participants who took bacopa experienced reduced anxiety and lower cortisol levels, along with improved sleep quality. Additionally, serum BDNF levels increased—a crucial brain-derived protein that supports the generation of new brain cells throughout life.

If there was ever a supplement that seemed almost too good to be true, this might be it. However, considering the fact the study in question only included 74 participants, experts agree that more research is needed.

What the research says

The recent study isn’t the first scientific report to discover that bacopa has memory-enhancing properties.

Roula Al-Dahhak, MD, a board-certified neurosurgeon and founder of the Memory Training Center in St. Louis, says multiple animal studies have found bacopa to have neuroprotective effects. Some data, for example, suggest that bacopa may reduce amyloid deposits—which have been linked to certain types of Alzheimer’s disease—in the brains of rodents.[4]

But it’s too soon to say those benefits apply to humans, says Dr. Al-Dahhak. The findings from human trials, in general, have been mixed, with some showing no difference between bacopa and placebo in patients with Alzheimer’s.

The main question, according to Ozan Toy, MD, MPH, the chief medical officer at Telepsychiatry in New Jersey, is how bacopa stacks up to standard drug therapies used for dementia, such as acetylcholine esterase inhibitors or amyloid beta monoclonal antibodies. “No such head-to-head comparisons have been studied,” Dr. Toy tells MDLinx.

How lifestyle changes stack up

What’s this mean for patients who are interested in trying bacopa? They should understand there isn’t enough evidence yet to recommend taking this supplement to prevent or treat dementia, says Dr. Toy.

“Greater attention should be paid to healthy eating, regular exercise, and regular cognitive stimulation for healthy individuals,” he adds.

Ultimately, patients should taper their expectations if they are set on trying it. Much more research is needed to understand bacopa’s effects in humans, and more specifically, on cognitive decline.  “It may be beneficial to use it for mild cognitive impairment but not for Alzheimer’s disease,” says Dr. Al-Dahhak.

Our writers and editors prioritize primary sources—including peer-reviewed research and interviews with experts—to inform our articles. Fact-checkers and board-certified physicians also review each piece for accuracy. Learn more about our process and standards.

Sources

  1. Walker EA, Pellegrini MV. Bacopa monnieri. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. March 17, 2023.

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