Category Archives: Brain

Cinnamon Odour: Cognitive Enhancer

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Robert Barrington

It is well known that certain smells and tastes are able to elicit neurochemical responses. Phytochemicals within plants are known to have this affects and in particular essential volatile oils from plants can cause significant changes in mood due to … Continue reading →

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Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi): Cognitive Effects in Healthy Humans

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Robert Barrington

Bacopa monnieri is a herb used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. In India, Bacopa monnieri is called brahmi. Extracts of brahmi have been reported to cause significant improvements in memory and learning in humans, and central nervous system effects are known … Continue reading →

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Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola): Mood Enhancer

Posted on June 11, 2019 by Robert Barrington

Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) is a herb that is thought to have adaptogenic properties. Gotu kola belongs to the Apiaceae family of plant and is found growing over large areas of Asia and the rest of the World. Gotu kola … Continue reading →

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Clitoria ternatea: Anxiolytic Herb

Posted on June 6, 2019 by Robert Barrington

Clitoria ternatea is a flowering plant belonging to the fabaceae or legume family of plants. Common names for Clitoria ternatea include blue pea, Asian pigeonwings, bluebellvine, butterfly pea, cordofan pea and Darwin pea. The plant grows native in parts of … Continue reading →

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Aspartame: More Detrimental Mood Changes

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Robert Barrington

Aspartame is a controversial artificial sweetener because studies show it may have detrimental effects. In particular, there is evidence that it can cause detrimental mood changes. Many studies have investigated the negative cognitive effects of aspartame on animals, and these … Continue reading →

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Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri) In Polyherbal Formulas

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Robert Barrington

A polyherbal formula is a combination of herbs. These herbs are usually selected because they share properties that make them useful against a particular disease or condition. Ayurvedic medicine uses combinations of herbs as polyherbal formulas because traditionally they have … Continue reading →

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Bacopa Monnieri: Traditional Indian Mental Tonic

Posted on January 5, 2019 by Robert Barrington
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Flavonoids and The GABA Receptor

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Robert Barrington

The GABA receptor is a receptor located in high concentrations in the brain, central nervous system and gut of humans and animals. There are two types of GABA receptor, the GABAA and the GABAB receptors. The GABAA receptors are ion … Continue reading →

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Gastrodia elata: Another Anti-Anxiety Herb?

Posted on December 10, 2018 by Robert Barrington

Gastrodia elata is a perennial herb of the Orchidaceae (Orchid) family of plants. Gastrodia elata grows in parts of Asia including Nepal, Bhutan, Korea, Taiwan, Siberia, India and Japan. The plant grows in mountainous regions in forest clearings and it … Continue reading →

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Does Dietary GABA Get Into the Brain and Does it Matter?

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Robert Barrington

It is known that the neurotransmitter GABA is responsible for decreasing excitatory activity in the brain of humans and other animals. When GABA is released from neurones, it activates GABAA receptors and this causes the opening of chloride channels of … Continue reading →

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