Brahmi Benefits: Ayuverdic Uses for Health + Brain Enhancement

Once a secret of Ayurveda folk medicine remedies, Brahmi benefits have now hit the radar of more sophisticated cognitive enhancement therapies.

Purported to produce general relief to stress levels while promoting mental clarity, Brahmi leaves are prescribed for a broad variety of disorders.

Recently, scientists have cracked the code on this ancient Indian herbal remedy. Let’s take a look at what we’ve learned about this herb, explore Brahmi’s benefits for mind and body, and find out if this herb is safe to use as a daily remedy.

We’ll also tell you the best ways to buy Brahmi capsules for use in your cognitive health regimen.

Bacopa Monnieri

Natural Nootropic

Brain Function

Memory

Stress

How It Works:

• Increases communication between neurons
• Supports memory, focus & cognition
• Reduces anxiety & stress

Dosage:

Between 50 - 500mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Where Does Brahmi Come From?

Brahmi is an organic plant that grows natively in several Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and of course, India.

The creeping, leafy vine is known by the scientific name Bacopa Monnieri, but was referred to in Indian folk medicine as Brahmi, or “herb of grace.”

Through the centuries, the herb gained a reputation as a powerful stress reliever and calming therapy.

When we see Brahmi in Ayurveda medicine, it is specifically used as a remedy for inflammation, indigestion, agitated sleep, anger and rage. All of these conditions can be thought of as over-exited, or “hot” in nature. Ayurveda names them “pitta.”

Unfortunately for most of us, agitated nerves are an all too common function of daily life. Brahmi is still used around the world as a relaxing tea beverage, as well as a topical oil which is applied to the scalp.

Brahmi and the Brain

In the U.S., Brahmi products are far less common, but recently the herb has turned up in discussions of nootropic supplementation. Nootropics are any compound which is consumed to augment the natural biochemical processes of the brain. While some nootropics are synthetic, many are herbal in origin, such as Brahmi.

Alpha Brain, one of the more prominent cognitive enhancement products on the market, uses a Bacopa Monnieri extract as part of a proprietary “Focus Blend.” When combined with other ingredients in Alpha Brain’s nootropic roster, this form of Brahmi seems to have synergistic effects for brain health and good mood.

How Does Brahmi Affect the Mind?

Most Brahmi benefits seem to derive from a pair of bioactive compounds within the leaves of the plant. These compounds, named bacosides and bacopasaponins, exhibit a variety of complimentary functions.

Firstly, they create general analgesic properties. This overall pain relief is probably the most immediately noticeable benefit, soothing sore muscles and calming headache. It’s possible that such simple pain relief is what originally gave the use of Brahmi in Ayurveda its soothing reputation.

But at the same time, Brahmi does play a role in targeting the body’s stress relief response. Brahmi’s bacosides activate receptors for GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid), an inhibitory neurochemical which controls and prevents stress reactions.

When this neurotransmitter is released in the brain, it blocks certain reactions that are naturally triggered during stressful circumstances. Brahmi ensures that the brain has enough GABA activity to control anxiety and over-excitement even in highly stressful situations.

GABA itself cannot be effectively supplemented, as it only crosses the blood brain barrier with less than 10% availability. This makes supplements containing Brahmi or Bacopa Monnieri one way to effectively create GABA-like effects.

Brahmi has also been observed to regulate HP70, a biomarker which has a role in protein synthesis under stress conditions. The bacosides also raise kinase activity in the hippocampus. This action increases the activity and efficiency of nerve cell receptors.

What Are the Top Brahmi Benefits?

All of these chemical mechanisms result in a powerful set of Brahmi benefits. Brahmi capsules can promote a strong sense of mental calm and a peaceful mood. It does not do so in a way which makes the user feel drugged or sedated.

In fact, Brahmi can focus mental activity and sharpen thoughts, even as mood is relaxed. There are also no concerns regarding withdrawal or addiction unlike so many other treatments for mood disorders used today.

Brahmi’s stress relief has a number of “trickle down” benefits throughout the body. Stress-induced conditions like inflammation and high blood pressure can be reduced with regular use of Brahmi in some form.

But here’s the catch – on its own, Brahmi’s benefits can be mild or very difficult to notice for long periods of time. For example, Brahmi tea, while a relaxing beverage on par with a cup of chamomile tea or an analgesic like Tylenol, could take months to start showing more advanced cognitive improvements.

Are Brahmi Benefits Worth Side Effects Risks?

Most Brahmi benefits come without significant side effects. As with all herbal remedies, good dosage can be the difference between efficacy and unwanted effects. Brahmi can start to become too sedating at higher doses.

There is also some concern that it can overwork the glands which produce dopamine and serotonin, and create deficiencies that may lead to tolerance. There is some anecdotal evidence that this occurs with users who drink a Brahmi tea daily for many years and then quit.

For most people using brain boosting natural supplements, these problems will not be an issue. It is more likely that modern users will desire a stronger and more powerful stress-reducer and concentration builder, which can deliver more immediate results.

Where Can I Get Brahmi Today?

The best way to buy Brahmi capsules today, while maximizing its immediate results, is to combine it with other nootropics in a supplement stack. As with many of these compounds, effects can be amplified within synergistic pairings. The most popular nootropic stack product containing a form of Brahmi is Alpha Brain, the leading cognitive enhancement supplement.

Within the context of Alpha Brain’s multi-faceted concentration and mental energy formula, Brahmi (listed as Bacopa Monnieri) promotes clear thinking by reducing stress. These classic Brahmi in Ayurveda benefits have found a new home in modern nootropic therapies, and make a worthy addition to any mental health regimen.

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