Study finds that supplementation with Bacopa monnieri may support emotional wellbeing
Supplementation with Bacopa monnieri for 28 days was associated with a 14% improvement in emotional wellbeing, 12% improvement in general health, and 16% reduction in pain.
Photo © iStockphoto.com/J-Elgaard
A recent study1 found that supplementation with Bacopa monnieri (Bacognize from Verdure Sciences) may support mood. In the 28-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 100 adults with self-reported poor sleep received either placebo of 150 mg twice per day of Bacopa monnieri. Outcome measures included the Bergen Insomnia Scale (primary outcome measure), Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Diary, Short Form-36 Health Survey, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Researchers also measures changes in salivary concentrations of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, immunoglobulin A (sIgA), α-amylase (sAA), C-reactive protein, melatonin, and the fatigue biomarker index.
Researchers found that improvements of sleep measures were not statistically significant between the two groups. However, based on Short Form-36 Health Survey results, supplementation with Bacopa monnieriwas associated with a 14% improvement in emotional wellbeing, 12% improvement in general health, and 16% reduction in pain, compared to 6%, 4%, and 3%, respectively, in the placebo group. Within group analysis also showed that subjects taking Bacopa monnieri saw significant reduction in salivary immunoglobulin A and α-amylase, compared to baseline.
“Conducting a human clinical during the COVID-19 pandemic did present some unusual challenges; however, the results are encouraging. Stress and quality of life have definitely been brought to the forefront during these times, with an ever-broadening appreciation of adapting capabilities,” said Sonya Cropper, vice president of marketing and innovation at Verdure Sciences, in a press release. “This study suggests that Bacgonize extract indeed has the ability to help individuals respond and adapt without any negative impacts to the sleep cycle, with specific support in mood, emotional wellbeing, focus, attention, and overall cognitive vitality.”
“This study, supports the opportunity to promote restful, restorative, and rejuvenating sleep with Bacognize. It is a very relatable category / application to target; nearly everyone has wanted to wake up alert and refreshed, balance their circadian rhythm, but not want to feel groggy or tired when getting up,” added Kristen Marshall, digital marketing manager. “It pairs nicely with the study in medical students2 as improved learning has traditionally been associated with a good nights’ sleep, and just because you want to promote good quality sleep—restorative and restful—does not mean that you want to feel more tired when you lie down. Overall, we are thrilled with this new publication joining the growing body of evidence in support of Bacognize.”
References
Lopresti AL et al. “Effects of a Bacopa monnieri extract (Bacognize) on stress, fatigue, quality of life and sleep in adults with self-reported poor sleep: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” Journal of Functional Foods, vol. 85 (2021)
Kumar N et al. “Efficacy of standardized extract of Bacopa monnieri (Bacognize) on cognitive functions of medical students: a six-week, randomized placebo-controlled trial.” Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medicine, Published online October 10, 2016
