BACOPA MONNIERI: BENEFITS, SIDE EFFECTS AND MORE
Even for those, who tend to avoid nootropic supplements, Bacopa seems charming. The mysterious water hyssop (another common name) has an ability to intensify brainwork and simultaneously produce calmness. Bacopa Monnieri firstly appeared in ancient Ayurvedic medicine were was used for memory improvement and mental illness treatment in India BC.
People believed that this traditional remedy resolves anxiety and concentration issues as well as facilitates symptoms of Epilepsy. Therefore, particular evidence proves that Indians have used Brahmi as a sexual stimulator, the supplement even played a role as both fever reducer in Sri Lanka and a diuretic (urine promoter) in Philippians.
Brahmi is rich with bacosides or Dammarane Triterpenoid Saponins - chemical compounds that positively affect our blood (with the regular intakes avoiding toxicity). Saponins reduce risk of cancer, lessen blood fats and level of cholesterol. Some studies have shown that these compounds can be lifesavers from lead poisoning.
And that is not all - Saponins have the ability to protect brains from fast acetylcholine consumption. As a neurotransmitter, acetylcholine transfers signals between nerve cells, so with the high amount of this chemical, our brain stays sharper.
Looking like a white gorgeous flower and tasting as bitter and sweet, Bacopa Monnieri grows in wetlands and may exist underwater (that makes it popular among aquarium lovers). After all, let's leave a contextual introduction for now and elucidate Bacopa Monnieri working basis.
Benefits:
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Bacopa Monnieri and Stress
Adaptogen - that’s how we can call Bacopa. Adaptogens are stress fighters. Even though this term currently is not used in pharmacologic, the ability does not diminish. When Brahmi appears in our organism, it interacts with neuronal cells by switching on an anti-depressive mode. Because of such a feature, Bacopa Monnieri maintains our mood, fights with anxiety and even enhances the quality of sleep.
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Bacopa Monnieri and Restlessness
Maybe you have heard that Brahmi helps to fight with such diseases as ADHD or Epilepsy. Well, this case again comes from adaptogenic features. Alongside stress reduction, Bacopa stimulates calmness. Calm mood means that your neurological system is also tranquil, so the symptoms of ADHD or Epilepsy might be imperceptible awhile.
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Bacopa Monnieri and Learning
Besides the stress reduction, Bacopa Monnieri has an anti-fatigue effect. It means that Bacopa enhances brain capacity to operate information faster. Herewith, reduced fatigue enables endurance extension. So, as a result, you have more productive brain performance than usual.
Same effects help to cope with Alzheimer. By boosting operation processes and capacity, Bacopa mitigates even most severe cases.
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Bacopa Monnieri and Health condition
Firstly, let’s talk about blood pressure. Low levels of nitric oxide (which is responsible for widening the blood vessels) usually cause too high blood pressure. What Bacopa Monnieri does is the stimulation of Endothelium from where nitric oxide arrives. That means blood pressure reduction.
Lastly, Bacopa Monnieri contains antioxidants, which protects cells from damage. Those cells can be affected by so-called free radicals, which induces heart diseases and cancer.
Read more about the benefits of Bacopa Monnieri here.
Side effects:
Bacopa Monnieri indeed has a lower risk of side effects appearing than other nootropic supplements, but we cannot conceal the possibility.
Firstly, people with a low heart rate should turn away from Bacopa Monnieri. Studies have shown that Brahmi induces heart rate deceleration and strengthens bradycardia. But if you do not have any complaints about your heart rate, then the emergence of this side effect is barely possible.
Every nootropic user should consider an organism rejection. If the particular supplement is not suitable or usual for your immune system, nausea and diarrhoea might appear. Same goes with indigestion.
And lastly, if you live with Asthma or another lung-related disease, be aware that Bacopa Monnieri enhances fluid secretions in your lung (as well as in the urinary tract).
Read more about the side effects of Bacopa Monnieri here.
Dosage:
Firstly, you have to know that dosage depends on the percents of the bacosides or glycosides within the extract. For instance, we provide Bacopa extract with 20 % bacoside content, so typical dosage varies from 750 mg to 1500 mg per day. For 55 % bacoside in the extract, the recommended maximum dosage is 300 mg per day.
Saponins, already mentioned compounds of Brahmi, are hydrophobic and hydrophilic structures that determine Brahmi as soluble in both water and fat. For this reason, you can take Brahmi with a meal or without, however, for some people taking Bacopa without any food may provoke nausea.
According to the studies, Bacopa Monnieri is likely safe for up to 3 months. There is no evidence of a prolonged period, so avoid prolonged usage. Always follow the dosage, specified on the label.
Read more about Bacopa Monnieri dosage here.
Withdrawal:
As we have mentioned earlier, Bacopa Monnieri is among partly safe nootropics. But according to some users, Brahmi can provoke particular withdrawal symptoms as well.
As Bacopa enhances mental capacity and recall, it may be rather hard to refuse Bacopa after a few weeks or months of usage. Depressed mood and fatigue might be one of withdrawal symptoms. To avoid such malaise, pay attention to your dosage and period of use.
Read more about what is Bacola Monnieri here.