A Potent Bacopa Monnieri Extract, Verified By Advanced Testing
Congratulations, you have found the most potent bacopa we have ever tested! This Bacopa monnieri extract came in at a whopping 24% Bacosides by UPLC! You may think to yourself: "Wait a second, I have seen Bacopa monnieri extracts with a Bacoside content of over 50%?" It is true that there are bacopa extracts out there claiming to be over 50% bacosides. However, something that is not often discussed is that these testing values are most often obtained by UV-VIS, or ultraviolet-visual spectromic analysis. UV-VIS is an old methodology that not only measures the bacosides, but all other compounds that have a UV signal remotely similar to bacosides. This is because it does not separate the compounds before it measures them. It groups them all together. This means that it grossly inflates testing values. As a manufacturer, listing a bacoside content of over 50% is fantastic, as it will drive sales. However, the consumer is getting massively misled by those numbers. This is why we test our own Bacopa monnieri extract strictly by the much more accurate UPLC technology. Our in-house lab at Nootropics Depot has one of the most advanced UPLCs in the world from Waters, which runs at pressures up to 15,000 psi, which is over double the pressures run on a normal HPLC. This allows us to not only more accurately measure botanical extracts, but do them much quicker and more efficiently. On top of that, we work diligently to validate and verify our methods and reference standards. What that means for you as a consumer is that you are getting testing numbers that are much more scientifically valid. Testing and validating this bacopa extract has been over half a year of work in our lab, along with working with a half dozen other labs from the United States and India. When we make a claim, we go above and beyond to ensure those claims are backed by proper science. When we say this is the most potent bacopa we have ever tested, we mean it!
To give some examples: the previous highest amount of Bacosides we have found is 12.5% (by UPLC). Compare this to our Bacopa monnieri extract at 24%, it is nearly double the bacosides of the next highest extract. On the flip side, we recently tested a Bacopa monnieri extract which claims to contain 55% bacosides (by UV-VIS), which really only contained 9% bacosides when tested via the more accurate UPLC testing methodology. This means that our own Bacopa monnieri extract is going to blow a majority of the competition right out of the water. In fact, we are using our bacopa in our new Sleep Support stack on our sister brand Natrium Health, and we had to lower the dosage to match the effects we were getting with our other extract. Do you want to experience the most potent Bacopa benefits? This is the extract for you!
What is Bacopa Monnieri?
For those who are still somewhat new to Bacopa monnieri, the next section will educate you on exactly what Bacopa monnieri is, and all of the amazing Bacopa benefits it produces!
Bacopa monnieri is a herb that is native to wetlands and other marsh-like regions of nearly every continent, but most prominently in southern and eastern India. The Bacopa monnieri plant has been used for centuries, and has been referenced in Ayurvedic texts dating back to the 6th century AD.
Bacopa monnieri has been traditionally used to support cognitive function and promote longevity and is sometimes referred to as water hyssop, Indian pennywort and brahmi. Bacopa monnieri is also considered an adaptogen. Adaptogens are compounds that help rebalance the body and brain when they are undergoing mental and physical stress. As the name indicates, adaptogens help you adapt to the stressors around you. Many people have reported experiencing Bacopa monnieri brain benefits in addition to stress management effects after taking a Bacopa monnieri supplement.
Bacopa Monnieri Benefits and Uses
May help support cognitive function
May help promote healthy stress levels
May help support healthy sleep patterns
May help promote feelings of well being
How does Bacopa Monnieri work?
The mechanisms of action for Bacopa and other adaptogens are still being researched, but modern research has discovered that Bacopa monnieri interacts with serotonergic systems in a way that promotes neuron communication via supporting the growth of dendrites. Even though Bacopa monnieri has been used for thousands of years, modern research is now starting to have a better understanding of the components that make Bacopa monnieri effective. The compounds believed to be responsible for Bacopa monnieri benefits are the bacosides.
Bacosides are only found in the Bacopa monnieri plant itself, and are believed to be largely responsible for Bacopa monnieri benefits, which is why a high bacoside content is so important! Research has found that bacosides act on serotonin receptors, which has lead scientists to believe that the serotonergic effects are largely responsible for the positive effects Bacopa can have on mood and cognitive function. It is also generally recommended to take Bacopa monnieri with a meal, and preferably with a fat source since bacosides are fat soluble and require a lipid transporter to be absorbed. Historically, bacopa monnieri was often consumed with ghee or some other animal fat to help with absorption.
Several trials have been conducted to evaluate Bacopa benefits on cognition. In a few of these trials, cognitive benefits were determined to be significant after a month of Bacopa supplementation. Other studies have shown that these benefits are even more pronounced after 8-12 weeks of supplementation. Alongside its use to promote cognition, research has found that Bacopa may help benefit sleep and mood patterns. Ayurvedic texts show that Bacopa monnieri was also used to promote sleep and rest in traditional indian use. Some researchers attribute Bacopa monnieri sleep benefits and Bacopa mood benefits to its adaptogenic properties.