Higher Wellbutrin XL Intake Predicts Slightly Lower Calories Burned for Population

Higher Wellbutrin XL Intake Predicts Slightly Lower Calories Burned for Population

Contents

Variables

A
Wellbutrin XL 90
A
Calories Burned 878

Categories

A
Treatments 9356
A
Physical Activity 1719

Actions

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Join Study
A
Your Data

Tags

Medium Confidence
Weak Effect Size
Negative Relationship
Population Study
cause image gauge image effect image
Participants reported a 5.4% average increase in Calories Burned following above average Wellbutrin XL Intake.

Abstract

<h5>Not Enough Shared Data</h5>Please create a study and share it with your friends so we can collect enough data to determine the effect of Wellbutrin XL (mg) on Calories Burned. <a href="https://web.quantimo.do/#/app/study-creation" title="Create a Study" class="create-study-button"> Create a Study </a> <h5>Solution: Create a Study</h5>Please create a study and share it with your friends so we can collect enough data to determine the effect of Wellbutrin XL (mg) on Calories Burned. <a href="https://web.quantimo.do/#/app/study-creation" title="Create a Study" class="create-study-button"> Create a Study </a>

Calories Burned was generally 12% higher than average after a total of 150 milligrams of Wellbutrin XL over the previous 24 hours.

Aggregated data from 2 study participants suggests with a MEDIUM degree of confidence (p=0.146, 95% CI -93.303 to 92.818) that Wellbutrin XL has a weakly negative predictive relationship (R=-0.243) with Calories Burned.

The highest quartile of Calories Burned measurements were observed following an average 261 milligrams Wellbutrin XL per day.

The lowest quartile of Calories Burned measurements were observed following an average 327 milligrams of Wellbutrin XL per day.

After an onset delay of 30 minutes, Calories Burned is typically 5% lower than average over the 24 hours following around 327 milligrams of Wellbutrin XL Wellbutrin XL.

Keywords: Wellbutrin XL, Calories Burned, N-of-1 trials, real-world evidence, causal inference, observational study

Preliminary: Based on 2 participants. Results may change as more data is collected.

Results

Primary Findings

Analysis of 136 paired observations from 2 participants revealed a minimal reduction in Calories Burned following above-average Wellbutrin XL exposure.

0.0%
Change from Baseline
Minimal effect on Calories Burned
0.02
Predictor Impact Score
Insufficient evidence for causal relationship

Supporting Statistics

Medium
Confidence
-0.243
Correlation (r)
p = 0.644
Significance
z = 0.00
Effect Magnitude
φ = 0.51
Temporality

What This Means

When participants had above-average Wellbutrin XL:

  • Calories Burned decreased by 0.0% on average

Interpreting the Predictor Impact Score

The Predictor Impact Score (PIS) integrates multiple Bradford Hill causal criteria into a single metric. Use this guide to interpret the score:

PIS Range Interpretation Recommended Action
≥ 0.5 Strong evidence High priority for RCT validation
0.3 - 0.5 Moderate evidence Consider for experimental investigation
0.1 - 0.3 Weak evidence Monitor for additional data
< 0.1 Insufficient evidence Low priority; may be noise

Note: PIS is a prioritization heuristic, not proof of causation. High scores indicate relationships worth investigating, not confirmed causal effects. With only 2 participants, these scores are preliminary and will become more reliable as additional data is collected.

Optimal Daily Values (Precision Dosing)

Based on the observed relationship, we can estimate the predictor values associated with the best and worst outcomes. These values enable personalized dosing recommendations.

⚠️ Preliminary Data: With 2 participants and 136 observations, these optimal values are preliminary estimates. As more data is collected, precision will improve significantly.

150.0 mg
Value Predicting Higher Calories Burned
Average Wellbutrin XL when Calories Burned exceeded its mean
450.0 mg
Value Predicting Lower Calories Burned
Average Wellbutrin XL when Calories Burned was below its mean

What This Suggests

Calories Burned tended to be lowest (best) when Wellbutrin XL was around 450.0 mg.

Important: These values reflect correlations, not guaranteed causal effects. Individual responses may vary. Use as a starting point for personal experimentation, not as a definitive prescription. Consult healthcare providers before making treatment decisions.

Population Correlation

Wellbutrin XL Distribution

Calories Burned Distribution

Statistical Summary

Relationship Statistics

Property Value
Cause Variable Name Wellbutrin XL Intake
Effect Variable Name Calories Burned
Sinn Predictive Coefficient 0.021987959102773
Confidence Level MEDIUM
Confidence Interval 93.060463341273
Forward Pearson Predictive Coefficient -0.2426
Critical T Value 1.646
Total Wellbutrin XL Intake Over Previous 24 hours Before ABOVE Average Calories Burned 261 milligrams
Total Wellbutrin XL Intake Over Previous 24 hours Before BELOW Average Calories Burned 327 milligrams
Duration of Action 24 hours
Effect Size weakly negative
Number of Paired Measurements 136
Optimal Pearson Product 0.055291947658646
P Value 0.14556142294356
Statistical Significance 0.6441
Strength of Relationship 93.060463341273
Study Type population
Analysis Performed At 2026-01-04
Number of Participants 2

Wellbutrin XL Info

Property Value
Variable Name Wellbutrin XL (mg)
Aggregation Method SUM
Analysis Performed At 2020-09-22
Duration of Action 21 days
Filling Value 0
Kurtosis 18.464280806087
Mean 160.02717777778 milligrams
Median 145.83333333333 milligrams
Minimum Allowed Value 0 milligrams
Number of Aggregate Predictors 0
Number of Aggregate Outcomes 90
Number of Measurements 637
Number of Measurements (including those generated by tagged, joined, or child variables) 637
Public true
Onset Delay 30 minutes
Standard Deviation 107.31558633425
Unit Milligrams
User Variables 30
UPC 091037446671
Variable Category Treatments
Variable ID 1634671
Variance 18124.458485875

Calories Burned Info

Property Value
Variable Name Calories Burned
Aggregation Method SUM
Analysis Performed At 2020-09-23
Duration of Action 7 days
Kurtosis 10.719482104079
Maximum Allowed Value 20000 kilocalories
Mean 1693.6119981094 kilocalories
Median 1643.7344918892 kilocalories
Minimum Allowed Value 100 kilocalories
Number of Aggregate Predictors 667
Number of Aggregate Outcomes 211
Number of Measurements 122895
Number of Measurements (including those generated by tagged, joined, or child variables) 21949
Public true
Onset Delay 0 seconds
Standard Deviation 420.78331639612
Unit Kilocalories
User Variables 393
UPC 0
Variable Category Physical Activity
Variable ID 1280
Variance 236738.41913029

Introduction

Background

Wellbutrin XL (Treatments) and Calories Burned (Physical Activity) are both important factors in understanding human health and well-being. This study investigates the relationship between these two variables using real-world observational data.

Traditional randomized controlled trials (RCTs), while the gold standard for causal inference, are often impractical, expensive, or unethical for studying many health relationships. Aggregated N-of-1 observational studies offer a complementary approach that leverages within-subject comparisons across large populations to identify meaningful patterns.

Research Question

Does Wellbutrin XL affect Calories Burned?

Additionally, we seek to determine:

  1. What is the direction and magnitude of any effect?
  2. How confident can we be in this relationship based on the available data?
  3. What are the optimal levels of Wellbutrin XL for maximizing Calories Burned?

Study Objective

The objective of this study is to determine the nature of the relationship (if any) between Wellbutrin XL and Calories Burned. Additionally, we attempt to determine the Wellbutrin XL (mg) values most likely to produce optimal Calories Burned values.

Study Overview

This is a population-level observational study using aggregated N-of-1 methodology. By aggregating individual N-of-1 experiments, we can identify population-level patterns while accounting for the substantial individual variation that exists in most health relationships. Effect sizes are reported as percent change from baseline, enabling intuitive interpretation and comparison across different measures.

Full Methodology: Framework for Real-World Evidence-Based Pharmacovigilance: Aggregated N-of-1 Trials for Quantifying Treatment Effects

Discussion

Interpretation of Findings

Participants experienced a 0.0% reduction in Calories Burned following above-average Wellbutrin XL exposure. The Predictor Impact Score (PIS) of 0.02 indicates insufficient evidence for a causal relationship.

Statistical Significance

Using a two-tailed t-test with alpha = 0.05, it was determined that the change in Calories Burned is statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval. The p-value of 0.6441 indicates there is less than a 64.41% probability that this result occurred by chance.

T-Test Details
Observed t-value: 2.409
Critical t-value: 1.646

Since t = 2.41 > 1.65, we reject the null hypothesis.

Biological Plausibility

A plausible bio-chemical mechanism between predictor and outcome is critical for interpreting observational findings. This is where human judgment excels beyond statistical analysis.

Community feedback on the biological plausibility of this relationship is still being collected. Consider the known mechanisms by which Wellbutrin XL might influence Calories Burned.

Bradford Hill Criteria Assessment

The Bradford Hill criteria provide a framework for assessing causality in observational studies. Our methodology operationalizes six of the nine criteria through the Predictor Impact Score (PIS):

Criterion How Addressed Metric
Strength Effect size magnitude Percent change from baseline (Δ%), z-score
Consistency Cross-participant replication Number of users (N), number of pairs (n)
Temporality Predictor precedes outcome Temporality factor (φ), onset delay (δ > 0)
Biological Gradient Dose-response relationship Gradient coefficient (φgradient)
Plausibility Biological mechanism assessment Community votes on mechanism plausibility
Specificity Category appropriateness Interest factor (finterest)

Predictor Impact Score (PIS)

The PIS integrates multiple Bradford Hill criteria into a composite metric quantifying how reliably a predictor affects an outcome. Higher scores indicate stronger evidence:

Population-Level PIS:

$$\text{PIS}_{\text{agg}} = |r_{\text{forward}}| \cdot w \cdot \phi_{\text{users}} \cdot \phi_{\text{pairs}} \cdot \phi_{\text{change}} \cdot \phi_{\text{gradient}}$$

Where φ-factors are saturation functions approaching 1 as evidence accumulates:

  • φusers = 1 - e-N/10 (user saturation)
  • φpairs = 1 - e-n/nsig (pair saturation)
  • φchange = 1 - e-Δspread/Δsig (effect spread saturation)
  • w = weighted average of plausibility votes

Temporality Assessment

We assess evidence for correct causal direction using the temporality factor:

$$\phi_{\text{temporal}} = \frac{|r_{\text{forward}}|}{|r_{\text{forward}}| + |r_{\text{reverse}}|}$$

Values approaching 1 indicate the predictor precedes the outcome (supporting causation); values near 0.5 suggest ambiguous directionality; values near 0 suggest reverse causation or confounding by indication.

Limitations

The accuracy of this study may be limited by the fact that <h5>Not Enough Shared Data</h5>Please create a study and share it with your friends so we can collect enough data to determine the effect of Wellbutrin XL (mg) on Calories Burned. <a href="https://web.quantimo.do/#/app/study-creation" title="Create a Study" class="create-study-button"> Create a Study </a> <h5>Solution: Create a Study</h5>Please create a study and share it with your friends so we can collect enough data to determine the effect of Wellbutrin XL (mg) on Calories Burned. <a href="https://web.quantimo.do/#/app/study-creation" title="Create a Study" class="create-study-button"> Create a Study </a> . A greater amount of data and more variance in the data would help to resolve this issue.

As with any observational study, correlation does not prove causation. Key limitations include:

  • Unmeasured confounders: Variables not tracked may influence results
  • Self-selection bias: Health trackers may differ from the general population
  • Measurement error: Self-reported data may contain recall bias
  • Confounding by indication: Sicker individuals may use more treatments

However, within-subject comparison and temporal precedence analysis partially mitigate these limitations. If the relationship is merely coincidental, as participants independently modify their Wellbutrin XL values, the observed strength will decline over time. Spurious correlations naturally dissipate as more data is collected.

Future Directions

Future research should examine:

  • Subgroup analyses to identify individual differences in response
  • Potential confounders and mediators of the observed relationship
  • Optimal dosing and timing for Wellbutrin XL
  • Confirmation through prospective or randomized designs
  • Biological mechanisms underlying the observed effects

Conclusion

📊 Preliminary Findings: With 2 participants, these results are based on limited data. Effect sizes and confidence will improve as more participants contribute data. Consider these findings directional rather than definitive.

Above-average Wellbutrin XL was associated with a 0.0% reduction in Calories Burned—a minimal effect. The Predictor Impact Score of 0.02 indicates this relationship is requiring additional data before conclusions.

Bottom Line: Based on a PIS of 0.02 and a 0.0% effect size, this relationship currently lacks sufficient evidence. Continue monitoring as more data becomes available. Note: These conclusions may strengthen or change direction as more data is collected.

These findings contribute to our understanding of how Wellbutrin XL may influence Calories Burned in real-world conditions. While preliminary, these results may inform future research directions. As more participants contribute data, the reliability and precision of these findings will improve substantially.

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Methods

Study Design

This study is based on data donated by 2 participants. Thus, the study design is equivalent to the aggregation of 2 separate n=1 observational natural experiments.

This within-subject design is powerful because it controls for all stable individual characteristics (genetics, baseline health status, socioeconomic factors) that might otherwise confound the relationship between variables.

Data Analysis

Temporal Assumptions

The analysis incorporates temporal assumptions about the relationship between variables:

  • Onset Delay: It was assumed that 30 minutes would pass before a change in Wellbutrin XL would produce an observable change in Calories Burned.
  • Duration of Action: It was assumed that Wellbutrin XL could produce an observable change in Calories Burned for as much as 24 hours after the stimulus event.

Statistical Methods

For each participant, we calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient between Wellbutrin XL values and subsequent Calories Burned values. Individual correlations were then aggregated using Fisher's z-transformation to produce a population-level estimate:

Individual Correlation:

$$r_i = \frac{\sum(x_{ij} - \bar{x}_i)(y_{ij} - \bar{y}_i)}{\sqrt{\sum(x_{ij} - \bar{x}_i)^2 \sum(y_{ij} - \bar{y}_i)^2}}$$

Fisher's Z-Transformation:

$$z_i = \frac{1}{2} \ln\left(\frac{1 + r_i}{1 - r_i}\right)$$

Aggregated Correlation:

$$\bar{r} = \tanh(\bar{z}) \quad \text{where} \quad \bar{z} = \frac{1}{N}\sum_{i=1}^{N} z_i$$

Effect Size Calculation

Effect sizes are reported as percent change from baseline. For each participant, we compare the outcome following above-average predictor values to the overall baseline outcome:

$$\Delta\%_{\text{baseline}} = \frac{\bar{O}_{\text{follow-up}} - \bar{O}_{\text{baseline}}}{\bar{O}_{\text{baseline}}} \times 100$$

Effect Magnitude (Z-Score)

To assess effect magnitude relative to natural variability, we calculate the z-score:

$$z = \frac{|\Delta\%_{\text{baseline}}|}{\text{RSD}_{\text{baseline}}}$$

where RSDbaseline is the relative standard deviation of outcome during baseline period

A z-score > 2 indicates statistical significance (p < 0.05), meaning the observed change exceeds typical baseline fluctuation and is unlikely due to random variation.

Statistical Significance

Correlation significance is assessed using a two-tailed t-test:

$$t = \frac{r\sqrt{n-2}}{\sqrt{1-r^2}}$$

We reject the null hypothesis (ρ = 0) at α = 0.05 when |t| exceeds the critical value, providing statistical evidence that the observed relationship is not due to chance.

Data Sources

Wellbutrin XL data was primarily collected using QuantiModo. QuantiModo allows you to easily track mood, symptoms, or any outcome you want to optimize in a fraction of a second. You can also import your data from over 30 other apps and devices. QuantiModo then analyzes your data to identify which hidden factors are most likely to be influencing your mood or symptoms.

Calories Burned data was primarily collected using Fitbit. Fitbit makes activity tracking easy and automatic.

Data Quality

Data quality measures were applied to ensure reliable results:

  • Minimum Data Requirement: Only participants with sufficient paired observations were included in the analysis.
  • Outlier Handling: Extreme values were winsorized to reduce the influence of measurement errors.
  • Missing Data: Days with missing values were handled using appropriate filling strategies based on the variable type.
  • Test User Exclusion: Test accounts and invalid users were excluded from all analyses.

Principal Investigator

Program & Methods

Mike P. Sinn
Sinn, M. P.

Designed and implemented data collection, aggregation, causal inference pipeline, and automated study generation framework. Developed the Predictor Impact Score methodology operationalizing Bradford Hill criteria for ranking causal relationships in observational data. When he tells people this at parties, they usually say they have to go check on their car.

Individual study outputs are automated, reproducible, and open to external audit. (Which I would seriously recommend.)

Contact

Cite This Study

APA Format
Sinn, M. P. (2026). Causal Analysis: Does Wellbutrin XL (mg) Affect Calories Burned?. The Journal of Citizen Science. https://studies.crowdsourcingcures.org/study/cause-1634671-effect-1280-population-study
BibTeX 
@misc{sinn_cause_1634671_effect_1280_population_study_2026,
  author = {Sinn, Mike P.},
  title = {Causal Analysis: Does Wellbutrin XL (mg) Affect Calories Burned?},
  year = {2026},
  publisher = {The Journal of Citizen Science},
  url = {https://studies.crowdsourcingcures.org/study/cause-1634671-effect-1280-population-study},
  note = {Accessed: January 6, 2026}
}
Chicago/Turabian
Sinn, Mike P. "Causal Analysis: Does Wellbutrin XL (mg) Affect Calories Burned?." The Journal of Citizen Science. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://studies.crowdsourcingcures.org/study/cause-1634671-effect-1280-population-study.
Harvard
Sinn, M.P., 2026. Causal Analysis: Does Wellbutrin XL (mg) Affect Calories Burned?. [Aggregated N-of-1 Study] The Journal of Citizen Science. Available at: https://studies.crowdsourcingcures.org/study/cause-1634671-effect-1280-population-study [Accessed January 6, 2026].

Study Type: Aggregated N-of-1 Observational Mega-Study
Evidence Level: Level II (Real-World Evidence)
Methodology: Bradford Hill Criteria with Predictor Impact Score (PIS)

References

This framework was originally developed in 2013 based on the Bradford Hill criteria. Subsequent literature has independently validated similar approaches to causal inference from observational data:

  1. Hill, A.B. (1965). The environment and disease: association or causation? Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine, 58(5), 295-300. [Bradford Hill criteria]
  2. Lillie, E.O., et al. (2011). The n-of-1 clinical trial: the ultimate strategy for individualizing medicine? Personalized Medicine, 8(2), 161-173. [N-of-1 methodology]
  3. Pearl, J. (2009). Causality: Models, Reasoning, and Inference . Cambridge University Press. [Causal inference]
  4. Hernán, M.A., & Robins, J.M. (2020). Causal Inference: What If . Chapman & Hall/CRC. [Free textbook]
  5. FDA (2018). Framework for FDA's Real-World Evidence Program . U.S. Food and Drug Administration. [Regulatory context]
  6. Duan, N., et al. (2013). Single-patient (n-of-1) trials: a pragmatic clinical decision methodology . Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 66(8), S21-S28.
  7. Platt, R., et al. (2018). The FDA Sentinel Initiative—an evolving national resource . New England Journal of Medicine, 379(22), 2091-2093.

This information is for research and educational purposes only, not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before making health decisions. Terms of Service

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