Ingredient Spotlight: Bacopa

As you may be aware, Procera has launched a new product called Procera ProClarity™which contains five terrific active ingredients. Today we are going to focus on bacopa, a natural herb that can make a positive impact on your brain health.

What is Bacopa?

Bacopa is a nootropic herb commonly used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine, mainly to support cognitive function. Bacopa is also known as Brahmi, thyme-leaved gratiola, water hyssop, and by its botanical name Bacopa monnieri.  The plant grows in the wetlands of India, Europe, Australia, Africa and the Americas. The herpestis monniera plant thrives in wet environments, including swamps and hydroponic gardens or aquariums. It’s characterized by succulent leaves and small white flowers that have four or five petals.

Historical Use

Historically, the use of bacopa dates back hundreds of years in India and continues to be used today to boosts memory. Bacopa supports important neurotransmitter systems like serotonin, dopamine and acetylcholine that are foundational to memory-related processes. Bacopa is also used for its adaptogenic qualities, which help reduce stress. Today, medical professionals worldwide use all parts of the plant from the roots to the leaves and flower petals.

Uses & Benefits
Medical research has shown numerous potential bacopa benefits, particularly when it comes to brain health and brain function. Bacopa extract may also offer some benefits for heart health and overall health. Below are the main benefits of Bacopa and highlight the recent science.

1. Memory Support

One of the main uses of bacopa is to improve cognition and memory recall. Bacopa specifically helps with speed of recall, reduces stress and increases the ability to multitask. Several studies have shown promise when it comes to these memory-boosting benefits.

A study published in Phytotherapy Research examined the neuropharmacological effects of Bacopa monnieri on brain function. The study consisted of adults who received a series of cognitive tests to examine multitasking abilities as well as stress and mood. Participants who took bacopa demonstrated improvement on memory tests and displayed lower levels of stress compared to a placebo.

A meta-analysis of nine different studies comprising 518 healthy human subjects was published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Researchers found that bacopa was particularly effective in improving the speed of attention. Across the studies, scientists found that patients who took bacopa demonstrated improved recognition and were able to respond faster than those who took a placebo.

Additional research shows bacopa is effective in improving spatial memory, working memory and memory retention for new information.

Many children (and adults) have difficulty paying attention and controlling impulse reactions, resulting in learning issues. Some research shows that bacopa may help reduce these symptoms by improving attention span.

A small open-label study examined the benefits of bacopa on 31 children with attention issues between the ages of six and 12. At the conclusion of the six month study, researchers found 93% of participants had a decrease in restlessness, and self-control improved in 83% of the group. Additionally, learning problems and impulsivity declined dramatically in the study group.

Did you now that the majority of visits to health practitioners are for stress-related complaints? Stress, especially chronic stress, can negatively affect both our minds and our bodies. Bacopa has actually been shown to work as a natural stress by helping our bodies better handle or adapt to our daily stressors. An animal study conducted at the Central Drug Research Institute showed bacopa successfully guarded against acute and chronic stress.

4. Supports Healthy Blood Pressure

In 1998, the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine was given jointly to Robert F. Furchgott, Louis J. Ignarro and Ferid Murad for their discoveries of nitric oxide as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system. It’s been said that the Nobel Prize winners used bacopa in their award-winning experiments. A more recent study showed that bacopa might increase the human body’s utilization of nitric oxide and encourage vascular muscle function, two benefits that positively influence normal blood pressure.

You can find the bacopa ingredient along with Lions Mane, Ashwagandha, Pine Bark and Black Pepper extract in our newest product, Procera ProClarity™. ProClarity is designed to boost your mental clarity and memory and to do so quickly. Formulated by our science team, the ingredients are supported by hundreds of clinical studies and years of use.