Adverse Psychiatric Effects Associated with Herbal Weight-Loss Products

Abstract

Obesity and overeating are among the most prevalent health concerns worldwide and individuals are increasingly using performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) as an easy and fast way to control their weight. Among these, herbal weight-loss products (HWLPs) often attract users due to their health claims, assumed safety, easy availability, affordable price, extensive marketing, and the perceived lack of need for professional oversight. Reports suggest that certain HWLPs may lead to onset or exacerbation of psychiatric disturbances. Here we review the available evidence on psychiatric adverse effects of HWLPs due to their intrinsic toxicity and potential for interaction with psychiatric medications.

Impact of synthetic cannabinoids on the duration of opioid‐related withdrawal and craving among patients of addiction clinics in Kazakhstan: A prospective case–control study

“…For what concerns opioids, we assessed the duration of intake, the onset of withdrawal symptoms, the average duration of the withdrawal periods, the type of opioids (e.g., heroin, acetylated poppy, prescribed opioids, and dezomorphine; Zabransky, ), the dosages, the routes of administration, and the combination with other drugs often used to reduce withdrawal symptoms (including codeine, tropicamide, phenazepam, zopiclone, and trihexyphenidyl; Bersani, Coviello, et al, ; Bersani, Imperatori, et al, ).…”

Managing comorbid obesity and depression through clinical pharmacotherapies

“…There is also little information on the potential interactions of weight-loss drugs with psychotropic medications. Moreover, some weight-loss medications, including over-the-counter agents, are associated with adverse psychiatric effects [99][100][101]. For example, the cannabinoid receptor type 1 agonist rimbonant was never approved in the U.S. and was removed from the European market because of adverse psychiatric events, including depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior [101].…”

Cannabis: a self‐medication drug for weight management? The never ending story

“…[2][3][4] In addition, modern society is highly focused on physical appearance and individuals often try to achieve unrealistic standards of thinness. [2,4] Cannabis is the most widely used international controlled drug (ICD) with a lifetime prevalence estimate of use ranging from 10 to 30% in the adult population. [2,4] Cannabis is the most widely used international controlled drug (ICD) with a lifetime prevalence estimate of use ranging from 10 to 30% in the adult population.…”

“…[1] Although diet and exercise are the mainstay of weight management, [1] people are increasingly using the so-called performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) or life-style drugs as an easy way to control weight. [2][3][4] In addition, modern society is highly focused on physical appearance and individuals often try to achieve unrealistic standards of thinness. [2,5] Therefore, PIEDs are increasingly used to control weight even in non-obese and nonovereating populations.…”