Gotu Kola
Other names Centella Asiatica, Indian Pennywort, Asiatic Pennywort, Goyu Kola, Brahmi
Gotu kola is a natural herb used by many people to improve mood, memory, and stress. But is it effective? Read on to find out what the science says.
Benefits
Read about the effects of Gotu Kola in relation to the amount of evidence we've found
We analyzed data from 2 placebo-controlled studies on the effects of Gotu Kola in healthy humans and summarized the results here:
| Effect | Effect size | Evidence amount |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Minute positive | Relatively large |
| Focus | Minute positive | Moderate |
Risks
The legality and side effects of Gotu Kola
You should always consider the risks of a nootropic before you use it.
Side effects
No negative side effects were seen in any of the studies that we reviewed.
Interactions
Supplements and drugs can interact with Gotu Kola to increase or decrease the positive or negative effects you experience. If you are already using any supplements or drugs, speak with your trusted medical professional before you experiment with Gotu Kola. To learn more about the potential interactions between Gotu Kola and other substances, use interaction-checker.
Legality
Is your country not included? Learn how to find out if Gotu Kola is legal in your country.
Legality Disclaimer
The contents herein are not legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel. information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. While we have done our best to be as accurate as possible in the information we convey to you about the legality of nootropics, there is a risk for inaccuracies and errors. If you’re uncertain about the legality of any of your actions, contact a legal counsel or your local authorities governing the legality of various substances you may want to use/import/travel with.
How To Use
Dose, frequency and duration
It is usually safer and more effective to use nootropics as they have been used in studies on humans. In the only study that we’ve reviewed, Gotu Kola was used in the following ways:
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Gotu Kola
Which are the active ingredients in Gotu Kola?
It is not known which ingredients in Gotu Kola are the most relevant for its effects on mood and cognition. Here are some of the active ingredients that some researchers think are relevant to its cognitive and affective effects [4]:
- Asiaticoside
- Madecassoside
- Asiatic acid
- Madecassic acid
How should I select a Gotu Kola product for mood and cognition?
It is not known which ingredients in Gotu Kola are the most relevant for its effects on mood and cognition. This makes informed product selection decisions almost impossible. However, there are some things to consider that can increase your chances of finding a safe and effective Gotu Kola product:
- Find a product with a certificate of analysis verifying that the product contains safe levels of heavy metals and other potentially dangerous chemicals
- Find a product as similar as possible to those used in studies in humans
- Look for standardized amounts of active ingredients that are likely of relevance to Gotu Kola's effects on mood and cognition (see question above)
- If available, use product forms similar to those used in studies on the effects of Gotu Kola on mood and cognition in humans
A certificate of analysis is necessary for you to be confident that the product you are going to use will be safe. You should not stop searching for a product until you have found one which has a certificate of analysis. There is no way to be 100% certain that the company you are buying a product from has not faked a certificate of analysis, but them providing you with one significantly increases their legal and financial commitment to the chemical purity and identity of the product, which should make you trust them more.
Gotu Kola product selection is not easy because of the lack of transparency and chemical testing by most supplement companies.
When it comes to the active ingredients, that is not as crucial as a certificate of analysis. Sure, you may purchase an ineffective product if you buy one without the relevant active ingredients, but ultimately safety is more important than efficacy. Luckily, Nootropics Depot sells a Gotu Kola product with a certificate of analyses verifying its purity and identity. They have also standardized the amounts of active ingredients in their product to contain:
- Minimum 35-45% Triterpenes
- Minimum 15-25% Madecassoside + Asiaticoside B
- Minimum 15-20% Asiaticoside
This is a good product for people who want to self-experiment with Gotu Kola in a scientific manner.
Who should use Gotu Kola?
There’s a need for more high-quality scientific information about the safety and effectiveness of Gotu Kola. Specifically, there’s a great degree of individual variance in how people respond to nootropics in general and Gotu Kola in particular. This means that if you use Gotu Kola, you may not experience the same effects as those that were seen in scientific studies on it.
It is currently largely unknown what factors play a role in whether a nootropic will be effective for a person.
While we wait for science to explain who is likely to respond to which nootropics, patient self-experimentation with nootropics that have been found safe and effective in placebo-controlled studies in healthy humans is a proven strategy to feel and perform better with the help of nootropics.
Studies
Studies conducted on the effects of Gotu Kola in healthy humans
In the 2 studies that met our inclusion criteria, 81 participants received Gotu Kola. In total, we examined 3 studies on the effects Gotu Kola, which you can find summaries of below.
This study is used in our recommendation engine calculations. Learn more about how we select studies
Summary
Gotu kola had a small positive effect on cognition in healthy adults
Study groups
Adults using 750 Milligram
Adults using 500 Milligram
Adults using 250 Milligram
This study is used in our recommendation engine calculations. Learn more about how we select studies
Summary
"... the results from this study appear to support the traditional reputation of C. asiatica on strength improvement, especially in the lower extremities of the elderly. C. asiatica also possesses the potential to be a natural resource for vigor and strength increase, in healthy elderly persons. However, further research is essential."
Study groups
Adults using 250 Milligram
Adults using 500 Milligram
Adults using 750 Milligram
Summary
These preliminary findings suggest that Gotu Kola has anxiolytic activity in humans.
Last updated Saturday, June 10, 2023