Bacopa

Best for

Speed up thinking and reactions

Promising early signal · 150–600 mg/day for 6–13 weeks · 1 meta-analysis , n=335

12 papers · 5 claims · 42 outcomes scored · 3 positive

Outcomes

What bacopa actually does, by outcome

Each row is one outcome with effect size, evidence base, the dose that worked in trials, and time to first effect. Magnitude tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.

Outcome Effect size Evidence Dose Weeks Rank

Speed up thinking and reactions Promising early signal

Shortens the gap between seeing a question and having the answer.

6 meta-analyses n=335 150–600 mg 6–13 wk #2/28

11498727·23788517·24252493·27803728 +2 more

moderate

6 meta-analyses n=335 Meta-analyzed I²=99%

150–600 mg

6–13 wk

#2 /28

Strengthen your memory Barely detectable

Names, conversations, faces, and details stick instead of dissolving.

8 meta-analyses n=334 125–640 mg 6–12 wk

11498727·20703343·24252493·18611150 +4 more

trivial

8 meta-analyses n=334 Meta-analyzed I²=100%

125–640 mg

6–12 wk

—

Sharpen focus and mental stamina Not enough research

Concentrate longer, resist distraction, and stay mentally sharp through demanding tasks.

5 meta-analyses n=122 300–640 mg 12 wk

23320031·24252493·18611150·23788517 +1 more

trivial

5 meta-analyses n=122 Meta-analyzed I²=100%

300–640 mg

12 wk

—

Boost overall cognitive performance Not enough research

Broad gains in memory, speed, and mental sharpness at once.

1 RCT n=— 125 mg 12 wk

20703343

—

1 RCT n=—

125 mg

12 wk

—

Strengthen planning and mental control Not enough research

Organize priorities, switch tasks, and catch mistakes more easily.

1 RCT n=— 300 mg 12 wk

18611150

—

1 RCT n=—

300 mg

12 wk

—

Outcome	Effect	Evidence	Dose	Weeks	Rank
Speed up thinking and reactions Promising early signal	moderate	6 meta-analyses n=335 Meta-analyzed	150–600 mg	6–13 wk	#2/28
Strengthen your memory Barely detectable	trivial	8 meta-analyses n=334 Meta-analyzed	125–640 mg	6–12 wk	—
Sharpen focus and mental stamina Not enough research	trivial	5 meta-analyses n=122 Meta-analyzed	300–640 mg	12 wk	—
Boost overall cognitive performance Not enough research		1 RCT n=—	125 mg	12 wk	—
Strengthen planning and mental control Not enough research		1 RCT n=—	300 mg	12 wk	—

Buy well

Recommended Bacopa products

Real products that dose Bacopa where the research does, in a clean formulation, from brands we've audited. We only list ones we'd stand behind.

Chosen for adequate Bacopa dosing vs. the studied range, a clean formulation (grade A–C), and independent brand-quality audits. Not sponsored.

Risk profile

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Safety events

hepatitis E (acute viral hepatitis) severe

nausea moderate

cholinergic_toxicity moderate

tachycardia moderate

hyperhidrosis moderate

tenesmus moderate

cholinergic toxicity moderate

rash maculopapular mild

Drug interactions

Carbamazepine major increases concentration

Digoxin major increases concentration

Clozapine major increases concentration

Midazolam major increases concentration

Citalopram major increases concentration

Clomipramine major increases concentration

Imipramine major increases concentration

Diazepam major increases concentration

Alprazolam major increases concentration

Phenobarbital major increases concentration

Co-studied with

Supplements that share evidence with bacopa

Sources

Generated August 14, 2026

Bacopa

What bacopa actually does, by outcome

Recommended Bacopa products

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Supplements that share evidence with bacopa

More evidence for Bacopa

The Slow Spark: How a Marsh Plant Teaches Memory to Last

The 10 Best Supplements for Memory, Ranked by Evidence

The 10 Supplements With Real Evidence for Faster Thinking

Focus & memory: evidence map across 45 supplements

Stress: evidence map across 46 supplements

Ginkgo

Bacopa

Recommended Bacopa products

More evidence for Bacopa

NewThe Slow Spark: How a Marsh Plant Teaches Memory to Last

NewThe 10 Best Supplements for Memory, Ranked by Evidence

NewThe 10 Supplements With Real Evidence for Faster Thinking

NewFocus & memory: evidence map across 45 supplements

NewStress: evidence map across 46 supplements

NewGinkgo

The Slow Spark: How a Marsh Plant Teaches Memory to Last

The 10 Best Supplements for Memory, Ranked by Evidence

The 10 Supplements With Real Evidence for Faster Thinking

Focus & memory: evidence map across 45 supplements

Stress: evidence map across 46 supplements

Ginkgo