Bacopa monnieri, commonly known as Bacopa or Brahmi, is a traditional herb used in Ayurvedic medicine primarily for its cognitive-enhancing and adaptogenic properties. Its use in supporting the "Cortisol body system"—that is, modulating the body's response to stress via impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and cortisol levels—has some basis in both traditional use and emerging scientific evidence. Several animal studies and a few human trials suggest Bacopa may exert adaptogenic effects, potentially helping the body adapt to stress and regulating stress hormone levels, including cortisol.

For example, a 2012 double-blind, placebo-controlled study (Stough et al., Phytotherapy Research) found that Bacopa supplementation reduced self-reported stress and anxiety in healthy adults, though direct measures of cortisol were not always assessed or showed mixed results. Animal research (e.g., studies in rats) has shown Bacopa can attenuate the rise in serum cortisol induced by chronic stress. Proposed mechanisms include antioxidant effects, modulation of neurotransmitters, and support for neuroendocrine homeostasis.

However, robust human data directly linking Bacopa to significant regulation of cortisol levels is limited. Most evidence is preliminary, with small sample sizes and varying methodologies. Therefore, while there is scientific rationale and some early data supporting Bacopa's use for stress and potentially cortisol modulation, the evidence base is not strong, leading to a moderate-low rating of 2.