Research
Hormonal
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are associated with an increased risk of long-term weight gain, contrasting with their short-term anorexigenic effects.
If you take SSRIs, be aware they may contribute to weight gain over time. Talk to your doctor about monitoring your weight and discussing alternative treatments if this is a concern.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
a recent meta-analysis showed that these therapies are associated with increased risk of weight gain over 10-year follow-up.
Why this rating
Cites a meta-analysis.
Source
Serotonin, food intake, and obesity
Katy A. van Galen et al. · Obesity Reviews · 2021
DOI 10.1111/obr.13210
narrative_reviewCited 189×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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- Central serotonergic signaling acts as an anorexigenic mechanism in the homeostatic circuitry by integrating metabolic signals to suppress food intake when energy needs are met, whereas peripheral serotonergic signaling promotes energy absorption and storage.Good
- Obesity is associated with disturbed serotonergic signaling, specifically decreased central serotonin release and altered receptor availability, which may contribute to the failure to suppress food intake.Good
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