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A new study suggests that the use of bacopa monniera may help normalize brain chemicals in acute and chronic stress.
Researchers from the Central Drug Research Institute in India tested the effectiveness of bacopa monniera (BM) on the treatment of acute and chronic stress in rats. Bacopa monnieri leaf extract is called brahmi in Ayurvedic medicine and is widely used in India for enhancing memory, analgesia and treating epilepsy.
In this study, rats were either exposed to acute stress (immobilization for 150 minutes one time only), or chronic unpredictable stress (different stressors for seven days). Levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine were measured in two different parts of the brain. The stress caused alterations of all three brain chemicals. In certain parts of the brain, the chemicals may respond to stress by increasing in concentration or they may become depleted. These alterations were countered with the administration of BM at oral doses of 40 and 80 milligrams per kilogram.
Treatment with BM was able to normalize both serotonin and dopamine, but had no effect on norepinephrine in the acute stress group. In the chronic stress group, BM was able to normalize the levels of all three chemicals in one part of the brain and normalize serotonin and norepinephrine in another part of the brain, but had no effect on dopamine.
The researchers concluded that BM may be able to normalize the levels of different brain chemicals in the treatment of acute and chronic stress.
Integrative therapies with strong or good scientific evidence in the treatment of stress include kava, music therapy, aromatherapy, art therapy, chiropractic therapy, hypnotherapy, lavender, peppermint oil, psychotherapy, relaxation therapy and yoga.
For more information on these and other integrative therapies for stress management, please visit Natural Standard's Condition Center database.
- Sheikh N, Ahmad A, Siripurapu KB, et al. Effect of Bacopa monniera on stress induced changes in plasma corticosterone and brain monoamines in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 May 22;111(3):671-6. .
- Natural Standard Research Collaboration: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com. Copyright © 2007.
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