Bacopa is considered a “tonic” for the nervous system. “Tonic” means that it has an overall balancing and restoring effect on that particular system. Native to India, bacopa has been used for thousands of years for treating sleep disturbances and anxiety. It specifically calms an overactive nervous system.
Bacopa helps people sleep better and stay calmer, but does not have drug-like effects. Use of bacopa has demonstrated enhanced cognitive function in children with ADD, college students during exam time, and elderly dementia patients in controlled studies.
Suggested Dosage: 200-400 mg standardized to 50% bacosides at bedtime.
Side effects: Well tolerated with rare side effects. Some individuals notice more sedation than others. Sedation can be either decreased or enhanced by combining bacopa with other herbs.