The connection between weight loss medications and addiction reduction represents a potentially transformative discovery in the realm of healthcare.
, Wegovy and Mounjaro are making waves — not just for their dramatic effects on weight loss but also for their unexpected impact on behaviours like drinking alcohol and substance use.
Dr Fares Qeadan, the study’s lead author, described the findings as a potential “novel therapeutic pathway” for substance use treatment. In other words, these drugs could open new doors for those struggling with addiction.Originally designed to treat Type 2 diabetes, they work by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 . This hormone helps regulate blood sugar levels, slows digestion and reduces appetite.
This “dampening” of reward signals may explain why people on GLP-1 drugs are reducing their alcohol or drug use. Simply put, the things that once pleased them — like alcohol, overeating, or even nicotine — may no longer feel as rewarding.A July study from the University of Oxford supports these findings. It showed that people taking Ozempic were more likely to cut back on drinking, particularly those who drank heavily.
Dr Riccardo De Giorgi, the Oxford study’s lead researcher, highlighted the broader potential of these drugs: “Our results suggest that semaglutide use could extend beyond managing diabetes, potentially offering unexpected benefits in the treatment and prevention of cognitive decline and substance misuse.”
If GLP-1 drugs can help reduce cravings and risky behaviours, they could become a powerful tool in addiction treatment.
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