Garcinia Cambogia & Mental Health: What You Need to Know

study PMID: 28982303

Quick Summary: A recent case study found a link between taking Garcinia Cambogia supplements and the development of mania and psychosis in a young woman. While more research is needed, this report raises concerns about the potential mental health risks of this popular weight-loss supplement.

Can Garcinia Cambogia Cause Mental Health Problems?

This study looked at one woman who started experiencing symptoms of mania (an elevated mood state) and psychosis (losing touch with reality) about a week after starting a Garcinia Cambogia supplement. Her symptoms included:

Feeling overly happy or excited

Restlessness and agitation

Rapid speech and racing thoughts

Delusions (false beliefs)

Hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren't there)

After stopping the supplement and receiving treatment, her symptoms improved quickly. This isn't the first time this has been reported; other cases have linked Garcinia Cambogia to similar mental health issues.

Study Details

Who was studied: One young woman with no prior history of mental illness.

How long: Symptoms appeared about 1 week after starting the supplement. She was hospitalized for 8 days.

What they took: Garcinia Cambogia, as part of a supplement called Cleanse and Detox™. The exact amount of Garcinia Cambogia (HCA) she took isn't specified in the report.

What This Means For You

Be Aware: If you're taking Garcinia Cambogia, be aware of the potential risk of mental health side effects.

Talk to Your Doctor: If you experience any changes in mood, behavior, or thinking while taking this supplement, talk to your doctor immediately.

Disclose All Supplements: Always tell your doctor about all the supplements you're taking, as they can interact with medications or have unexpected effects.

Consider Alternatives: If you're looking to lose weight, discuss safe and proven methods with your doctor or a registered dietitian.

Study Limitations

One Person: This study only looked at one person, so we can't say for sure how common these side effects are.

Other Ingredients: The supplement contained other ingredients, so it's possible something else caused the problems.

Dosage Unknown: The exact amount of Garcinia Cambogia the woman took isn't known.

More Research Needed: More research is needed to understand the link between Garcinia Cambogia and mental health issues.

Key Findings

This 2019 case report documents a young adult female with no prior psychiatric history who developed mania with psychosis within 1 week of starting Garcinia Cambogia (as part of Apex Vitality Health’s Cleanse and Detox™ supplement). Symptoms included expansive mood, psychomotor agitation, pressured speech, delusions, and auditory hallucinations. Discontinuation of the supplement, combined with lithium and quetiapine treatment, led to rapid stabilization and discharge after 8 days. The authors note this aligns with 7 prior case reports linking Garcinia Cambogia to psychiatric adverse events, with symptom onset occurring 1–8 weeks after initiation.

Study Design

Type: Case report (observational, descriptive).
Sample Size: 1 patient.
Duration: Symptom onset occurred ~1 week after supplement initiation; hospitalization lasted 8 days.
Methodology: Retrospective analysis of clinical presentation and treatment response. No control group, randomization, or quantitative metrics.

Dosage & Administration

The patient consumed Garcinia Cambogia as part of a proprietary dietary supplement (Cleanse and Detox™), but specific dosage of hydroxycitric acid (HCA) or administration frequency was not reported in the summary. Timing of symptom onset (~1 week after initiation) suggests a potential acute adverse response.

Results & Efficacy

Primary Outcome: Development of mania and psychosis temporally associated with Garcinia Cambogia use.
Resolution: Symptoms resolved after supplement discontinuation and pharmacological intervention (lithium, quetiapine).
Statistical Significance: Not applicable (case reports lack statistical analysis or control groups).

Limitations

Causality Unclear: No controlled design to confirm Garcinia Cambogia as the direct cause; confounding ingredients in the Cleanse and Detox™ supplement may have contributed.
Single-Subject Data: Findings cannot establish incidence rates or risk factors.
Lack of Dosage Details: Absence of HCA dosage information limits understanding of dose-response relationships.
No Long-Term Follow-Up: Effects post-discharge (e.g., recurrence risk) remain unknown.
Publication Bias: Case reports often highlight rare or severe outcomes, potentially skewing perceived risk.
Future Research: Prospective studies examining HCA’s neurochemical effects, larger epidemiological data, and mechanistic exploration of serotonergic/muscarinic interactions.

Clinical Relevance

Safety Concerns: This report adds to evidence suggesting Garcinia Cambogia may trigger psychiatric adverse events, even in individuals without preexisting conditions.
Monitoring: Clinicians should screen for herbal supplement use in patients presenting with unexplained mania or psychosis.
Patient Education: Users should be aware of potential risks, particularly when combining supplements with serotonergic or anticholinergic properties.
Regulatory Implications: Highlights the need for standardized reporting of adverse events linked to herbal products, which are often perceived as "safe."

Note: The study does not evaluate Garcinia Cambogia’s efficacy for weight management but underscores the importance of reconciling supplement use in clinical settings.