Adaptogens have the unique ability to simultaneously calm a stressed mind and increase energy without being either sedating or stimulating. They provide a great effect to Savvy happily referred to as “zenergy” - where they keep you in a balanced emotional comfort zone with the right amount of energy and calmness or zen. Besides reducing cortisol, it works by balancing the brain chemicals dopamine, serotonin, and GABA.
Scientific Sources:
Rai, D. et al. ‘Adaptogenic effect of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi)’ in Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. Volume 75, Issue 4, July 2003, pp 823-830. [Link]
“As stress is linked to many diseases, research on an effective antistress agent (adaptogen) from plants has gained importance. ...it is concluded that the standardized extract of B. Monniera possesses a potent adaptogenic activity.”
Calabrese, C. et al. ‘Effects of a standardized Bacopa Monnieri Extract on Cognitive Performance, Anxiety and Depression in the Elderly: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial’ in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. July 2008, pp 707-713. [Link]
“This study provides further evidence that B. Monnieri has potential for safely enhancing cognitive performance.”
Calabrese, C, et al, ‘Effects of a standardized Bacopa Monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.’ in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.) Volume 14, Issue 6, July 2008 pp 707-713. [Link]
“Controlling for baseline cognitive deficit using the Blessed Orientation-Memory- Concentration test, Bacopa participants had enhanced AVLT delayed word recall memory scores relative to placebo. Stroop results were similarly significant, with the Bacopa group improving and the placebo group unchanged. CESD-10 depression scores, combined state plus trait anxiety scores, and heart rate decreased over time for the Bacopa group but increased for the placebo group…. This study provides further evidence that B. Monnieri has potential for safely enhancing cognitive performance in aging.”
Benson, S, et al. ‘An acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study of 320 mg and 640 mg doses of Bacopa Monnieri (CDRI 08) on multitasking stress reactivity and mood.’ in Phytotherapy Research. Volume 28, Issue 4, April 2014, pp 551-559. [Link]
“There were also some positive mood effects and reduction in cortisol levels, pointing to a physiological mechanism for stress reduction associated with BM consumption.”
Ramanathan, M. et al. ‘Behavioural and neurochemical evaluation of Perment an herbal formulation in chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depressive model.’ in Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. Volume 49, Issue 4, April 2011, pp 169-275 [Link]
“... exhibited antidepressant action…”
Chatteriee, M. et al. ‘Comparative evaluation of Bacopa Monniera and Panax Quniquefolium in experimental anxiety and depressive models in mice.’ in Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. Volume 48, Issue 3, March 2010 pp 306-313 [Link]
“...studies from our lab have shown that Bacopa Monniera (BM), and Panax Quniquefolium (PQ) have significant adaptogenic properties. Hence, we have further confirmed their activity in stress-related disorders like anxiety and depression…”
Sheikh, N. et al. ‘Effect of Bacopa Monniera on stress-induced changes in plasma corticosterone and brain monoamines in rats.’ in Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 111, Issue 3, May 2007, pp 671-676 [Link]
“In the below randomised, placebo-controlled trial in older adults, significant improvement in the bacopa group (300mg/day) was seen over placebo in short-term memory, processing speed, attention, and depression. Additionally, an effect was observed four weeks after administration discontinued.”
Hingorani, L. et al. ‘Sustained cognitive effects and safety of HPLC-standardized Bacopa Monnieri extract: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial’ in Planta Medica. Volume 78, 2012. [Link]
“The characterized Bacopa extract showed significant improvement (p<0.05) over baseline in short-term memory, processing speed, attention, and depression, an effect which was also observed at 16 weeks, four weeks after dosing stopped. No adverse events were reported in either group.”
Bacopa Monnieri has been found to regulate neurotransmitters, which are the biochemical pathways that brain cells use to communicate with each other.
Neurotransmitters are responsible for balancing energy, motivation, focus, mood, concentration, ability to learn, relax, or go to sleep.
Bacopa Monnieri is responsible for regulating the levels of the most well-known and main neurotransmitters - dopamine (responsible for feeling motivated, energetic, and productive), serotonin (essential for happiness), Gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA] (which helps with calmness and relaxation) and acetylcholine (which is essential for memory and learning).
Scientific Sources:
Kennedy, DO, ‘Phytochemicals for Improving Aspects of Cognitive Function and Psychological State Potentially Relevant to Sports Performance.’ in Sports Medicine, Issue 49, Supplement 1, February 2019, pp 39 - 58. [Link]
“Ginkgo biloba extracts and triterpene-containing extracts from plants such as ginseng (Panax ginseng/Quinquefolius) and Bacopa Monnieri have all been shown to enhance relevant aspects of cognitive function and alertness.”
Aguiar, S and Browski, T. ‘Neuropharmacological Review of the Nootropic Herb Bacopa monnieri’ in Rejuvenation Research. Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2013, pp 313-326. [Link]
“BM demonstrates immense potential in the amelioration of cognitive disorders, as well as prophylactic reduction of oxidative damage, NT modulation, and cognitive enhancement in healthy people.”
Anand, T. et al. ‘Effect of bacoside extract from Bacopa Monniera on physical fatigue induced by forced swimming.’ in Phytotherapy Research. Volume 26, Issue 4, April 2012, pp 587-593. [Link]
“The exhaustive swimming time was increased by 3-fold “ A 300% increase."
Kumar et al. ‘Efficacy of standardized extract of Bacopa Monnieri (Bacognize®) on cognitive functions of medical students: A six-week, randomized placebo-controlled trial.’ in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2016, September 2016 (Article ID 4103423) 8 pgs [Link]
"In the above randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover human clinical trial, there was 300mg given of a bacopa Monnieri extract of similar potency to that of in Savvy. There were improvements in memory, focus, and attention to healthy students in this 6 week trial."
“Our study further adds to the increasing scientific evidence supporting cognitive enhancement effects of Bacopa Monnieri in humans. However, our study is unique in the aspect that it was done in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial on a group of individuals with already high cognitive abilities. Also, Bacopa Monnieri extract in the dose of 300 mg daily produced significant effect on some components of memory with only 6 weeks of administration.”
Bacopa Monnieri has been known to increase cerebral blood flow, which is important as blood transports fuel to the brain such as nutrients, oxygen, hormones and neurotransmitters.
Scientific Sources:
Aguiar, S and Browski, T. ‘Neuropharmacological Review of the Nootropic Herb Bacopa monnieri’ in Rejuvenation Research. Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2013, pp 313-326. [Link]
“Evidence suggests BM...increased cerebral blood flow...”
Chaudhari, K. et al. ‘Neurocognitive Effect of Nootropic Drug Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) in Alzheimer's Disease’ in Annals of Neurosciences. Volume 24, Issue 2, May 2017, pp 111-122 [Link]
“At the end of 8 weeks, they found that [Bacopa] enhanced cognitive function in rats and increased quiescent CBF [Cerebral blood flow] by 25%”
When the immune system is unregulated and becomes overactive, inflammation can occur - even in the brain. Bacopa Monnieri assists with reducing brain inflammation, which can otherwise be a major contributing factor in depression, anxiety, memory loss, stroke, and Alzheimer’s.
Scientific Sources:
Williams, R. et al. ‘Bacopa Monnieri (L.) exerts anti-inflammatory effects on cells of the innate immune system in vitro.’ in Food Function. Volume 5, Issue 3, March 2014, pp 517-520. [Link]
“Bacopa Monnieri (L., BM) is a traditional Ayurvedic medicinal herb recognized for its efficacy in relieving acute pain and inflammation”
Chaudhari, K. et al. ‘Neurocognitive Effect of Nootropic Drug Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) in Alzheimer's Disease’ in Annals of Neurosciences. Volume 24, Issue 2, May 2017, pp 111-122. [Link]
“...studies have shown that EBm has an antioxidant and free radical scavenging action.”
Nelson, S. et al. ‘The induction of human superoxide dismutase and catalase in vivo: A fundamentally new approach to antioxidant therapy’ in Free Radical Biology and Medicine. Volume 40, Issue 2, January 2006, pp 341-347. [Link]
Lobo, V. et al. ‘Free radicals, antioxidants, and functional foods: Impact on human health’ in Pharmacognosy Review. Volume 4, Issue 8, March 2010, pp 118-126. [Link]
Kalamade, V. et al. ‘Effect of Bacopa Monniera (Linn.) on lipid peroxidation and lopfuscinogenesis in prostate gland of D-galactose induced aging mice, Mus musculus. In Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. Volume 46, June 2008, pp. 547-549. [Link]
Viji, V and Helen A. ‘Inhibition of lipoxygenases and cyclooxygenase-2 enzymes by extracts isolated from Bacopa Monniera (L.) Wettst’ in Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Volume 118, Issue 2, July 2008, pp 305-311. [Link]
“Bacopa Monnieri possesses anti-inflammatory activity”
Kapoor, r. et al. ‘Bacopa Monnieri modulates antioxidant responses in brain and kidney of diabetic rats.’ in Environmental toxicology and pharmacology. Volume 27, Issue 1, Jan 2009, pp 62-69. [Link]
“The present study indicates that extract of B. Monnieri modulates antioxidant activity, and enhances the defense against ROS generated damage”
Volluri, SS. et al. ‘In-Vitro Anti-Arthritic Activity of Methanolic Extract of Bacopa Monniera’ in International Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Pharmaceutical Research. Volume 2, Issue 2, May 2011, pp 156-159. [Link]
Brahmi is also known as "Medhya Rasayana" in Ayurveda as it increases mental clarity and brain-stimulating action. It also possesses anti-inflammatory ...and antioxidant activities”
Viji, V and Helen A. ‘Inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators: role of Bacopa Monniera (L.) Wettst’ in Inflammopharmacology. Volume 19, Issue 5, October 2011, pp 283-291. [Link]
“Significant antioxidant activity was exhibited by the bacoside enriched fraction…” “The present study provides an insight into the ability of Bacopa Monnieri to inhibit inflammation...”
Bacopa Monnieri can improve brain plasticity, which is the brain’s ability to keep changing, growing, and forming new neural pathways throughout life.
Bacopa increases the formation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, which encourages new brain cells to form.
Scientific Sources:
Chaudhari, K. et al. ‘Neurocognitive Effect of Nootropic Drug Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) in Alzheimer's Disease’ in Annals of Neurosciences. Volume 24, Issue 2, May 2017, pp 111-122. [Link]
“[Bacopa] has a significant role in the improvement of brain plasticity by a variety of mechanisms.” “They found out that administration of EBm alone resulted in increased expression of BDNF by 1.3 times”
Bacopa Monnieri has a benefit to sustained attention and concentration - which is particularly useful when learning at any age.
Bacopa has actually been studied in children — clearly a testament to its safety, with amazing results. Bacopa has been found to be a safe and effective natural solution for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Scientific Sources:
Dave, UP. et al. ‘An open-label study to elucidate the effects of standardized Bacopa Monnieri extract in the management of symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.’ in Advances in Mind-Body Medicine. Volume 39, Issue 2, March 2014, pp 10-15. [Link]
The above clinical trial in 2014 observed that 85% of children who were given a form of Bacopa Monnieri with 40% Bacopasides experienced a reduction in ADHD symptoms, including restlessness, impulsiveness, self-control, and learning problems.
“The attention-deficit symptoms were reduced in 85%”
Kean, J, et al, ‘Systematic Overview of Bacopa Monnieri (L.) Wettst. Dominant Poly-Herbal Formulas in Children and Adolescents’ in Medicines (Basel), Volume 4, Issue 4, December 2017, pp 86. [Link]
“True cognitive abilities and behavioural constructs were reviewed in six studies, with visual perception, impulsivity, and attention demonstrating the greatest improvements… The current review extends research supporting B.monnieri as a cognitive enhancer and provides modest evidence for the use of B.monnieri in poly-herbal preparations for improving cognitive and behavioural outcomes in child and adolescent populations.”
Hingorani, L. et al. ‘Sustained cognitive effects and safety of HPLC-standardized Bacopa Monnieri extract: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial’ in Planta Medica. Volume 78, 2012. [Link]
Calabrese, C, et al, ‘Effects of a standardized Bacopa Monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.’ in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.) Volume 14, Issue 6, July 2008, pp 707 - 713. [Link]
“Controlling for baseline cognitive deficit using the Blessed Orientation-Memory Concentration test, Bacopa participants had enhanced AVLT delayed word recall memory scores relative to placebo. Stroop results were similarly significant, with the Bacopa group improving and the placebo group unchanged. CESD-10 depression scores, combined state plus trait anxiety scores, and heart rate decreased over time for the Bacopa group but increased for the placebo group…. This study provides further evidence that B. Monnieri has potential for safely enhancing cognitive performance in the aging.”
Katz, M. et al. ‘A compound herbal preparation (CHP) in the treatment of children with ADHD: a randomized controlled trial.’ in Journal of Attention Disorders. Volume 14, Issue 3, November 2010, pp. 281-291. [Link]
“The well-tolerated CHP demonstrated improved attention, cognition, and impulse control in the intervention group, indicating promise for ADHD treatment in children.”
Kumar et al. ‘Efficacy of standardized extract of Bacopa Monnieri (Bacognize®) on cognitive functions of medical students: A six-week, randomized placebo-controlled trial.’ in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2016, September 2016 (Article ID 4103423) pp 1-8. [Link]
“Our study further adds to the increasing scientific evidence supporting cognitive enhancement effects of Bacopa Monnieri in humans. However, our study is unique in the aspect that it was done in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial on a group of individuals with already high cognitive abilities. Also Bacopa Monnieri extract in the dose of 300 mg daily produced significant effect on some components of memory with only 6 weeks of administration.”
Sharma, A. et al. ‘Dyslexia: A solution through Ayurveda evidences from Ayurveda for the management of dyslexia in children: A review’ in Journal of Research in Ayurveda. Volume 33, Issue 4, 2012, pp 486-490. [Link]
“The review indicates the Ayurvedic drugs like Brahmi, ... have the potential to provide a significant improvement in children suffering from dyslexia. All these drugs improve the brain functions and also the sensory and motor systems as a result of their medhya properties and thereby can help in management of various areas of dyslexic child's malfunctioning.”
Bacopa Monnieri was traditionally used for enhancing learning and memory. An Australian survey showed Bacopa to be one of the most popular aids for memory. Bacopa extract has shown positive effects on learning and memory, and the benefit is intensified following 4 to 12 weeks of administration.
Bacopa has shown a significant effect on retention of new information and also decreased the rate of forgetting newly acquired information in humans. Which is perfect for the modern age - where remembering key facts clearly while forgetting less things will help you succeed.
Scientific Sources:
Calabrese, C. et al. ‘Effects of a standardized Bacopa Monnieri Extract on Cognitive Performance, Anxiety and Depression in the Elderly: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial’ in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. July, 2008, pp 707-713. [Link]
“This study provides further evidence that B. Monnieri has potential for safely enhancing cognitive performance ...“
Kala, M. et al. ‘Effect of bacosides enriched standardized extract of Bacopa Monniera (BESEB-CDRI-08) on lipid profile and blood pressure of postmenopausal women: a pilot study’ in The Pharma Innovation Journal, Volume 4, Issue 1, 2015, pp 91-95. [Link]
Roodenrys, S. et al. ‘Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri) on human memory.’ in Neuropsycholpharmacology Journal. Volume 27, Issue 2, August 2002, pp 279-281. [Link]
“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 Brahmi on a test for the retention of new information. Follow-up tests showed that the rate of learning was unaffected, suggesting that Brahmi decreases the rate of forgetting of newly acquired information.”
Morgan A, and Stevens J. ‘Does Bacopa Monnieri improve memory performance in older persons? Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.’ in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Volume 16, Issue 7, July 2010. [Link]
“Bacopa significantly improved verbal learning, memory acquisition, and delayed recall”
Russo, A. and Borreili F, ‘Bacopa Monniera, a reputed nootropic plant: an overview.’ in Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology, Volume 12, Issue 4, April 2005, pp 305 - 317. [Link]
“Bacopa Monniera (BM), a traditional Ayurvedic medicine, used for centuries as a memory enhancing, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, sedative and antiepileptic agent. The plant, plant extract, and isolated bacosides (the major active principles) have been extensively investigated in several laboratories for their neuropharmacological effects and a number of reports are available confirming their nootropic action.”
Stough, CK. et al. ‘A randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of Pycnogenol and BacopaCDRI08 herbal medicines on cognitive, cardiovascular, and biochemical functioning in cognitively healthy elderly people: the Australian Research Council Longevity Intervention (ARCLI) study protocol (ANZCTR12611000487910)’ in Nutrition Journal 2012, Volume 11, Issue 6, March 2012. [Link]
“While Bacopa has been reported to have many actions, its memory enhancing effects have attracted most attention and are supported by the psychopharmacology literature.”
Stough, C. et al. ‘Examining the nootropic effects of a special extract of Bacopa monniera on human cognitive functioning: 90 day double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial.’ in Phytotherapy Research Journal. Volume 22, Issue 12, December 2008, pp 1629-1634. [Link]
“The Bacopa Monniera product significantly improved performance on the 'Working Memory' factor, more specifically spatial working memory accuracy.”
Stough, C. et al. ‘The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa Monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects.’ in The Journal of Psychopharmacology, Volume 156, Issue 4, August 2001, pp 481 - 484. [Link]
“These findings suggest that B. Monniera may improve higher order cognitive processes that are critically dependent on the input of information from our environment such as learning and memory.”
Kean, JD, et al, ‘Systematic Overview of Bacopa Monnieri (L.) Wettst. Dominant Poly-Herbal Formulas in Children and Adolescents.’ in Medicines (Basel, Switzerland), Volume 4, Issue 4, November 2017. [Link]
“The current review extends research supporting B.monnieri as a cognitive enhancer and provides modest evidence for the use of B.monnieri in poly-herbal preparations for improving cognitive and behavioural outcomes in child and adolescent populations.“
Calabrese, C, et al, ‘Effects of a standardized Bacopa Monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.’ in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.) Volume 14, Issue 6, July 2008, pp 707 - 713 [Link]
“...Bacopa participants had enhanced AVLT delayed word recall memory scores relative to placebo. Stroop results were similarly significant, with the Bacopa group improving and the placebo group unchanged. CESD-10 depression scores, combined state plus trait anxiety scores, and heart rate decreased over time for the Bacopa group but increased for the placebo group…. This study provides further evidence that B. Monnieri has potential for safely enhancing cognitive performance.”
Kumar et al. ‘Efficacy of standardized extract of Bacopa Monnieri (Bacognize®) on cognitive functions of medical students: A six-week, randomized placebo-controlled trial.’ in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2016, September 2016 (Article ID 4103423) pp 1-8. [Link]
“Our study further adds to the increasing scientific evidence supporting cognitive enhancement effects of Bacopa Monnieri in humans. However, our study is unique in the aspect that it was done in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial on a group of individuals with already high cognitive abilities. Also Bacopa Monnieri extract in the dose of 300 mg daily produced significant effect on some components of memory with only 6 weeks of administration.”
Hingorani, L. et al. ‘Sustained cognitive effects and safety of HPLC-standardized Bacopa Monnieri extract: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial’ in Planta Medica. Volume 78, 2012. [Link]
"In the above randomised, placebo-controlled trial in older adults, significant improvement in the bacopa group (300mg/day) was seen over placebo in short-term memory, processing speed, attention, and depression. Additionally, an effect was observed four weeks after administration discontinued."
