Bacopa Monnieri is a plant that is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. It was used as a way to treat backache, hoarseness, mental illness, and even epilepsy. Supplements containing bacopa monnieri as an ingredient are used by those who wish to improve their cognition, reduce anxiety, and de-stress.
Bacopa Monnieri is a nootropic substance that is believed to enhance memory retention and cognitive performance among both young adults and the elderly. It is said to be an adaptogen because it enables the body to adapt to new or stressful events and environments.
Because bacopa monnieri is a cognitive enhancer, some people actually abuse it in order to relieve stress or improve their performance at work or at school. While not generally addictive, people who decide to use bacopa monnieri should be careful about its side effects because it has been known to cause gastrointestinal problems, nausea, and diarrhea.