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Bacopa monnieri and delayed recall: grade B

Moderate evidence. Direction: Benefit.

B ModerateShort-term only

Educational guidance, not medical advice

Why this grade

Rubric condition met: >=2 RCTs with mostly consistent results (B); A not met because two 12-week RCTs were null and the newest synthesis relies on indirect comparisons

Across six 12-week RCTs a systematic review found bacopa improved 9 of 17 free-recall tests, and a 2026 network meta-analysis of 29 RCTs in healthy adults found low-dose bacopa outperformed placebo for delayed memory. Individual trials in healthy adults aged 40-65 and over 55 found better retention or delayed recall. Two 12-week trials found no difference on any cognitive measure (supported by Hindustan Unilever) or on verbal learning (funded by US Pharma Lab), so the direction is mostly but not fully consistent. All trials lasted about 12 weeks.

How we grade evidence

Studies this grade rests on

EffectMixedNo effectSize shows participants (n)2000200520102015202020252030Meta-analysisSystematic reviewRCTTiemtad 2026, 2026: meta-analysis, n = 2,107, result not recordedLopresti 2025, 2025: RCT, n = 101, result not recordedMorgan 2010, 2010: RCT, n = 98, result not recordedRoodenrys 2002, 2002: RCT, n = 76, result not recordedSathyanarayanan 2013, 2013: RCT, n = 72, result not recordedCalabrese 2008, 2008: RCT, n = 54, result not recordedStough 2001, 2001: RCT, n not recorded, result not recordedPase 2012, 2012: systematic review, n not recorded, 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
Stough 20012001RCTnot recordedresult not recorded
Roodenrys 20022002RCT76result not recorded
Calabrese 20082008RCT54result not recorded
Morgan 20102010RCT98result not recorded
Pase 20122012systematic reviewnot recordedresult not recorded
Sathyanarayanan 20132013RCT72result not recorded
Lopresti 20252025RCT101result not recorded
Tiemtad 20262026meta-analysis2107result not recorded

The Effects of a Bacopa monnieri Extract (Bacumen(®)) on Cognition, Stress, and Fatigue in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Lopresti AL, Smith SJ. The Effects of a Bacopa monnieri Extract (Bacumen(®)) on Cognition, Stress, and Fatigue in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Clin Drug Investig, 2025. PMID 41091332

Result not recorded
Design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial (12 weeks)
Sample
n = 101
Population
Adults aged 40-70 with self-reported memory and attention problems
Funding
US Pharma Lab (Crossref funder record)

Brahmi for the better? New findings challenging cognition and anti-anxiety effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monniera) in healthy adults.

Sathyanarayanan V, Thomas T, Einöther SJ. Brahmi for the better? New findings challenging cognition and anti-anxiety effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monniera) in healthy adults Psychopharmacology (Berl), 2013. PMID 23354535

Result not recorded
Design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial (12 weeks)
Sample
n = 72
Population
Healthy urban adults aged 35-60, Bangalore, India
Funding
Hindustan Unilever Limited

Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Calabrese C, Gregory WL, Leo M. Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial J Altern Complement Med, 2008. PMID 18611150

Result not recorded
Design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (6-week placebo run-in, 12 weeks treatment)
Sample
n = 54
Population
Healthy adults aged 65 or older
Funding
NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (via the Oregon Research Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Neurological Disorders); Northwest Health Foundation; tablets provided free by MediHerb Pty. Ltd.

Does Bacopa monnieri improve memory performance in older persons? Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

Morgan A, Stevens J. Does Bacopa monnieri improve memory performance in older persons? Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial J Altern Complement Med, 2010. PMID 20590480

Result not recorded
Design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (12 weeks)
Sample
n = 98
Population
Healthy adults over 55
Funding
not stated in PubMed/Crossref records

Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memory.

Roodenrys S, Booth D, Bulzomi S. Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memory Neuropsychopharmacology, 2002. PMID 12093601

Result not recorded
Design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (3 months plus 6-week follow-up)
Sample
n = 76
Population
Healthy adults aged 40-65
Funding
not stated in PubMed/Crossref records

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

Stough C, Lloyd J, Clarke J. The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects Psychopharmacology (Berl), 2001. PMID 11498727

Result not recorded
Design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial (12 weeks)
Population
Healthy adults
Funding
not stated in PubMed/Crossref records; extract (Keenmind) information supplied by the manufacturer per the erratum

Comparative effects of Bacopa monnieri and Ginkgo biloba on cognitive functions: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Tiemtad P, Ingkaninan K, Temkitthawon P. Comparative effects of Bacopa monnieri and Ginkgo biloba on cognitive functions: A systematic review and network meta-analysis Phytomedicine, 2026. PMID 41678913

Result not recorded
Design
Systematic review and network meta-analysis of 29 RCTs (PROSPERO CRD420251034900)
Sample
n = 2,107
Population
Healthy adults
Funding
Thailand Research Fund (Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Program)

The cognitive-enhancing effects of Bacopa monnieri: a systematic review of randomized, controlled human clinical trials.

Pase MP, Kean J, Sarris J. The cognitive-enhancing effects of Bacopa monnieri: a systematic review of randomized, controlled human clinical trials J Altern Complement Med, 2012. PMID 22747190

Result not recorded
Design
Systematic review of 6 randomized controlled trials (all 12 weeks)
Population
Adults without significant cognitive impairment
Funding
not stated in PubMed/Crossref records (PubMed tags Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Search and history

Search (): bacopa[ti] AND (memory[tiab] OR cognitive[tiab]) AND randomized controlled trial[pt] AND humans[mh]

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