Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) has a long-standing traditional use in Ayurvedic medicine for enhancing cognitive function and alleviating conditions associated with mental fatigue and “nervous exhaustion.” In Ayurveda, it is classified as a “medhya rasayana,” or a rejuvenator of the mind and nervous system. The use of Brahmi for nervous exhaustion is rooted in tradition, but in recent decades, several scientific studies have explored its neuropharmacological properties.

Preclinical and clinical research suggests that Brahmi contains active compounds—primarily bacosides—that exert adaptogenic, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective effects. Animal studies have demonstrated that Brahmi can reduce levels of stress-induced biochemical changes and improve memory and learning. Human clinical trials are more limited but show that Brahmi supplementation may improve cognitive performance and reduce anxiety and symptoms of mental fatigue in healthy adults and in individuals with anxiety disorders or age-related cognitive decline (Stough et al., 2008).

While the mechanism is not fully understood, Brahmi is thought to modulate neurotransmitter levels and protect against oxidative stress in neural tissue. The current scientific evidence provides modest support (rated 3/5) for the use of Brahmi in alleviating symptoms of nervous exhaustion, but larger, well-designed human studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for this specific indication.