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Bacopa monnieri and acute cognitive performance: grade C

Limited evidence. Direction: No effect.

C LimitedSingle research group

Educational guidance, not medical advice

Why this grade

Rubric condition met: Only small single-dose RCTs (n = 17-38) with inconsistent results (C); too few and too small for N

Three small single-dose trials from one Swinburne University group disagree: 300 mg produced no significant changes on any test 2 h after dosing, while 320 mg improved some repetitions of a demanding test battery (co-funded by Soho Flordis International) and 320 mg and 640 mg improved two tasks at 1-2 h. The authors call for larger replications.

How we grade evidence

Studies this grade rests on

EffectMixedNo effectSize shows participants (n)2000200520102015RCTCrossover RCTNathan 2001, 2001: RCT, n = 38, result not recordedDowney 2013, 2013: crossover RCT, n = 24, result not recordedBenson 2014, 2014: crossover RCT, n = 17, result not recorded
each study this grade rests on, by publication year and design. Solid: effect versus the comparator; half-filled: mixed; hollow: no effect; dashed: result not recorded yet. Larger marks had more participants.
Show the numbers
StudyYearDesignParticipantsResult
Nathan 20012001RCT38result not recorded
Downey 20132013crossover RCT24result not recorded
Benson 20142014crossover RCT17result not recorded

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.

Benson S, Downey LA, Stough C. 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 Phytother Res, 2014. PMID 23788517

Result not recorded
Design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial (single doses)
Sample
n = 17
Population
Healthy adults
Funding
Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery

An acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 320 mg and 640 mg doses of a special extract of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on sustained cognitive performance.

Downey LA, Kean J, Nemeh F. An acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 320 mg and 640 mg doses of a special extract of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on sustained cognitive performance Phytother Res, 2013. PMID 23281132

Result not recorded
Design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial (single doses)
Sample
n = 24
Population
Healthy adults
Funding
Australian Research Council Discovery; Soho Flordis International (Crossref funder list)

The acute effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy normal subjects.

Nathan PJ, Clarke J, Lloyd J. The acute effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy normal subjects Hum Psychopharmacol, 2001. PMID 12404571

Result not recorded
Design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial (single dose, testing 2 h after)
Sample
n = 38
Population
Healthy adults
Funding
not stated in PubMed/Crossref records

Search and history

Search (): (TITLE:"bacopa" OR TITLE:"brahmi") AND (ABSTRACT:"acute") AND ABSTRACT:"placebo"

  • Graded C (proposed): Proposed in the monograph draft
  • C to C (approved): Editor sign-off November 13, 2026: grade matches the editor-approved final page