A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was performed on 17 healthy volunteers. Patients taking bacopa showed a more positive mood and had lower cortisol levels, a significant marker of stress reduction. This is a small study, but other studies have produced similar results. A 2001 study on 46 healthy volunteers showed significant reductions in anxiety for those taking bacopa when compared to the placebo group.

Healthy elderly adults with an average age of 73.5 years were given bacopa or a placebo for 12-weeks in a randomized, double-blind study. The bacopa group showed improved scores on a depression and anxiety test in comparison to the placebo group over the course of the test.

A small, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study showed that people taking bacopa performed better on a multi-tasking framework test than those taking the placebo, indicating positive cognitive effects of bacopa supplementation.

A larger study performed on 47 subjects showed that subjects taking bacopa significantly improved speed of visual information processing, learning rate, and memory consolidation compared to placebo. Additionally, bacopa improved the retention of new information in a 2002 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on 76 healthy subjects.

There has also been research on bacopa for its effect on working memory. A 2008 study published in Phytotherapy Research showed improvements in working memory and a reduction in false-positives recorded in people taking a Rapid Visual Information Processing Task. Similarly, bacopa showed positive effects on memory enhancement in a 16-week double-blind, placebo-controlled study on healthy adults. This 2006 study presented improvements in total memory score, paired associate learning and logical memory (although other memory tests performed showed no change between bacopa and placebo).

The studies listed above were all performed on healthy adults, but memory and cognitive problems are often associated with the elderly. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published a study performed on healthy adults 65 years or older with an average age of 73.5 years. This study found improvements in an auditory verbal learning test for volunteers taking bacopa.