Overview
Bacopa Monnieri is an herb typically used in Ayurvedic medicinal practices for memory and cognitive support. There is limited research on specifically ADHD; however, the evidence points to improving inattention, hyperactivity, and memory. It likely will help those with low-quality sleep the most.
What Is Bacopa Monnieri?
Bacopa monnieri is an herb that’s been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, traditionally for memory and cognitive support. It is a small, creeping herb that grows in wetlands and marshy areas across South Asia, Europe, Africa, and parts of the Americas.
How Does Bacopa Monnieri Work?
Bacopa Monnieri is a powerful herb that works on many different systems in the body: the antioxidant, cholinergic, GABA, and sleep systems. For a more in-depth breakdown of these, check out this systematic review.
It’s an antioxidant. Bacopa’s active compounds — a group of saponins called bacosides — have shown consistent antioxidant and free-radical-scavenging activity in research, including specifically in brain regions like the hippocampus, frontal cortex, and striatum (areas heavily involved in attention, memory, and executive function). Reducing oxidative stress in these regions could help protect neurons and support healthier cognitive function over time. To learn more about antioxidants and ADHD, check out these articles.
It affects the cholinergic system. Several studies (mostly animal and cell-based) show Bacopa can inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) — the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that’s central to attention, learning, and memory. Less breakdown of acetylcholine generally means more of it available to do its job.
It may support GABAergic activity. GABA is the brain’s main calming/inhibitory neurotransmitter, and some research suggests Bacopa helps support GABAergic transmission — which ties into both its calming/anti-stress effects and, potentially, better impulse control.
It supports sleep quality. Bacopa appears to have a mild sedative effect, which can improve sleep quality. Poor sleep quality is extremely common in ADHD, and it tends to make every other symptom worse: attention, emotional regulation, memory, et cetera.
Continued below…
Research Overview
Our most recent systematic review on Bacopa Monnieri and ADHD was published in 2025, and they concluded that out of the four supplements (l-theanine, caffeine, gingko, and bacopa monnieri) they reviewed, Bacopa Monnieri was the most promising. However, there were only four studies that met inclusion criteria, one of them was a study protocol for one of the other studies, and one wasn’t studied in an ADHD population.
(Side note: this is why we can’t just take the abstracts as-is: we need to read the referenced papers ourselves! In the review, they concluded that the study protocol found improvements in ADHD symptoms when in reality they didn’t measure anything at all).
Despite that, the current research is promising, though limited and not specifically generalizable:
- Kean et al., Australia — a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 112 boys aged 6–14 with symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity, using 160mg/day of Bacopa monnieri. The Bacopa group showed significant improvements in inattention, hyperactivity, and cognitive function compared to placebo.
- Dave et al., India — a 6-month open-label trial (no placebo group) in 27 children (24 girls, 3 boys) aged 6–12, using 225 mg/day of Bacopa monnieri. It reported improvements across several ADHD symptom subtests: restlessness (93%), self-control (89%), inattention (85%), learning problems (78%), impulsivity (67%), and psychiatric problems (52%).
The review also included this industry-funded open-label study that looked at a different population (kids with low IQ, not ADHD specifically), and it did help them with their memory.
Does Bacopa Monnieri Work For ADHD?
Bacopa Monnieri has highly promising mechanisms for how it might help ADHD, a long history of use medicinally for ADHD-like symptoms, and a few studies that seem to point toward it being highly beneficial to those with ADHD.
However, there is no conclusive evidence yet, and other herbs like Panax Ginseng and Saffron have more scientific backing for ADHD. Even so, it’s generally safe to take and most people experience little to no side effects.
Who Is Most Likely to Benefit, and Doses
Based on the studies we have, Bacopa monnieri may be worth looking into if:
- You (or your kid) deal with inattentive-type ADHD symptoms, especially alongside memory or learning difficulties
- You struggle with good sleep
- You’re looking at options alongside or in addition to other approaches, not necessarily as a stimulant replacement
Doses studied in children: 160 mg/day and 225 mg/day. These are pediatric research doses, and may not be generalizable to adults. Always speak with a doctor and/or practiced herbalist before using.
Final Thoughts
I (Annika) personally believe that Bacopa Monnieri is a promising candidate for adjunctive ADHD therapy. Despite the lack of clinical trials, the few basic ones we have point toward it being beneficial for us – which is common in the herbal ADHD research due to a lack of funding. The mechanisms of use in the body – especially its impacts on acetylcholine and oxidative stress — are also part of why I have it in my list of top ADHD supplements to consider.
For a complete list of the top researched supplements for ADHD, along with their doses and special considerations, purchase my ADHD supplement guide here.
While it won’t replace your medication, it may be a good place to start if you struggle with sleep, memory, and attention. If you’re like me and find your medication to be more harsh on your body than you’d like, Bacopa Monnieri is a relatively safe herb to start with.
Since it is a mild sedative, I can’t recommend using it in your morning tea; however, I love taking it in my evening tea before bed.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially for children.
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