Use Bacopa for Memory and as a Supplement for Intellectual Functioning and Neurological Difficulties

Bacopa is a part of Ayurvedic Medicine

The Bacopa plant is a perennial creeping herb found in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and even in southern Florida. It has been a part of ayurvedic medicine since its inception and is used for intellectual enhancement, including for memory. The benefits of this herbal supplement have been validated in a number of studies in many countries.

In August, 2002, a study of various memory functions was conducted over a several week period. Results were clear that bacopa increased the rate of retention of information that was given during that several week periods within the experimental group. The control group, given no bacopa, had a much reduced rate of retention of the same information.

Other intellectual functioning bacopa benefits

A number of additional studies have shown improved intellectual functioning in the areas of more rapid learning, increased ability to focus during learning activities, increased ability to process visual information, and increased reasoning ability, to include the ability to synthesize information in the making of predictions and the drawing of conclusions. Clearly these benefits make bacopa an herbal supplement that ought to be thoroughly studied for potential use by students who have learning disabilities that relate to memory, processing, focusing, and higher level thinking skills.

Bacopa has been used for a variety of other neurological functions

A recent double-blind study involved individuals identified as having mile to moderate mental retardation in order to determine if bacopa could improve certain brain functions. Results of the study showed that the group given bacopa had improved concentration, memory, and overall intellectual performance. Another study showed improved performance of school children identified as being mild to moderately retarded. Clearly, further study is warranted, but this early research should certainly motivate educational psychologists to sit up and take notice.

Bacopa and Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease is certainly not completely understood in terms of causal factors. Despite great amounts of research and millions of dollars, neuro-researchers are not close. The disease itself is tragic and condemns its victims to sometimes years of vapidity and minimal intellectual functioning. Although studies relative to natural supplement treatment in this area are very limited, Bacopa is showing promise as an antioxidant for many parts of the brain and, at a minimum, could be useful in checking the progress of the disease.

Bacopa and Epilepsy

While bacopa benefits have included improvement in epileptic seizures, recent studies now show that reduction in seizures only occurs when extremely high doses are used over long periods of time, and this is not advised. It appears that bacopa benefits could perhaps be enhanced if other natural supplements which show promise in the area of neurological disorders were combined with bacopa to form a more effective compound of natural therapy.

Bacopa and Depression

In some studies, bacopa appeared to increase brain serotonin content, although how it accomplished this is still now known. Seratonin is an element that creates the “feel good” emotion. When nice things happen to people, serotonin levels are increased, because the brain produces more. If depressed individuals do not have enough serotonin, a natural supplement that would help in its production would certainly be more welcome than pharmaceutically manufactured drugs. Further research may show potential of bacopa as a natural treatment for anxiety and depression.

Bacopa Benefits for ADD and ADHD Children

The biggest issue for children with ADD and ADHD is their poor performance in school, due to the inability to focus and to remain in a state of calm. They are difficult to teach in a classroom environment, and, though primarily average to above average in intelligence, these children do not perform well. Teachers and fellow students become frustrated and angry with these children and, as adolescents the ADHD child becomes an impulsive adolescent. An Indian study with ADD children showed that after a 12-week regimen of the herbal supplement, there was marked improvement in attention and focus, as well as logical memory.

Bacopa Dosage

Normal dosage for average weight adults is one 225 mg tablet, two or three times a day. Obviously, an herbologist should be consulted for more specific dosage recommendation based on weight, especially for children.