title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy ; School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK.
authors.forename: F Saverio
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Bersani
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marialuce
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coviello
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Imperatori
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Francesconi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hough
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy ; School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK ; Department of Psychiatry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valeriani
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Stefano
authors.affiliation: International Association for Applied Human Sciences, 00100 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Flaminia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bolzan Mariotti Posocco
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK ; Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, Gabriele D'Annunzio University, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santacroce
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Amedeo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minichino
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK.
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Corazza
mesh_terms: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents