Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Behavioral Disturbances: An Innovative Approach to Monitor the Modulatory Effects of a Nutraceutical Diet
Published on: January 3, 2017
Does melissa officinalis cause withdrawal or dependence?
Kadir Demirci1, Mehmet Akgönül1, Arif Demirdaş1
1Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
Discontinuation of Melissa officinalis, a medicinal herb, can cause withdrawal symptoms like restlessness and tremors. Patients should be aware of potential dependency risks associated with its long-term use.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Herbal Medicine
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Melissa officinalis, a widely used medicinal and aromatic plant, possesses hypnotic, sedative, and spasmolytic properties.
- It is often chosen by patients as a natural alternative to conventional pharmaceutical treatments.
Observation:
- A 30-year-old patient presented with acute withdrawal symptoms including restlessness, tremor, distractibility, and sweating.
- These symptoms emerged after the abrupt cessation of long-term Melissa officinalis consumption.
Findings:
- The observed withdrawal symptoms suggest a potential dependence effect resulting from prolonged Melissa officinalis use.
- This case highlights that even herbal remedies can lead to physiological dependence and subsequent withdrawal phenomena.
Implications:
- Healthcare providers should counsel patients on the potential risks of dependency and withdrawal associated with Melissa officinalis.
- Further research into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying Melissa officinalis dependence is warranted.
- This case underscores the importance of informed consent and patient education regarding herbal product safety.
More Related Videos
11:14Rapid High-throughput Species Identification of Botanical Material Using Direct Analysis in Real Time High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Published on: October 2, 2016
09:29Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dependence
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Toxidromes: Clinical Features