Drugs Behind the Ozempic Weight-Loss Boom May Also Lower the Risk of Addiction
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, drugs for weight loss and diabetes, sold under brands such as Ozempic or Wegovy, could soon expand their repertoire of treatments to combat drug addiction. A large recent study covering data from more than 600,000 American veterans and published in The BMJ found that GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with a lower risk of dependence on substances such as alcohol, cocaine, and opioids.
The Saint Louis, Missouri, research team followed previous theories suggesting that GLP-1 receptor agonists influence the brain’s reward system, which plays a major role in addiction. To test this idea, they analyzed a much larger cohort of patients to see if the trend would persist.
Not only did they see a significant reduction in the risk of addiction, but they also saw a decrease in overdoses, drug-related emergency room visits, and deaths among people already struggling with substance use disorders. Ongoing research will examine whether GLP-1 agonists could potentially be considered for drug abuse prevention and risk management in clinical settings.
GLP-1 drugs could influence addiction
GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Because of this effect, the drug was initially developed to treat people with diabetes. However, researchers quickly noticed another effect: The drugs reduce appetite and slow digestion, which often leads to significant weight loss. This discovery ultimately led to their approval as a treatment for obesity.
Since then, scientists have continued to discover other potential benefits of GLP-1 agonists. Studies suggest they may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, reduce inflammation, protect kidney function, and may even play a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
To study their possible impact on addiction, a process that largely takes place in the brain, researchers analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. They examined whether GLP-1 agonists influenced addiction risk in people with or without pre-existing substance use disorder (SUD).
The team also examined whether these medications impact serious addiction-related outcomes, including emergency room visits, overdoses, suicidal behavior, and death—in other words, whether GLP-1 agonists could reduce some of the most dangerous outcomes for people already struggling with substance use.
Learn more: Could fat-trapping boba pearls replace weight loss drugs like GLP-1 agonists?
Massive study of veterans links GLP-1 drugs to lower risk of addiction
The study included more than 600,000 U.S. veterans with type 2 diabetes who were treated with either a GLP-1 agonist or another standard diabetes drug, a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor, commonly sold under brand names such as Jardiance or Farxiga.
After following the participants for three years, a clear trend emerged. Veterans without a history of substance use disorders who took a GLP-1 receptor agonist had a 14% lower overall risk of developing one. When the researchers looked at specific substances, the reductions were even more striking: Opioid disorders were 25 percent less likely, cocaine and nicotine disorders decreased by 20 percent, alcohol disorders by 18 percent, and cannabis disorders by 14 percent.
Among veterans who already had a history of substance use disorders, the drug was also associated with less serious outcomes. Compared to those taking the alternative diabetes medication, GLP-1 users experienced 31 percent fewer emergency room visits related to substance use, 39 percent fewer overdoses, 25 percent fewer instances of suicidal ideation or attempts and about half as many deaths, according to a press release.
Promising results, but important limitations remain
Because the research relied on data from the Veterans Affairs Health System, most participants were older men, which is considered a limitation by the authors. However, additional analyzes suggest that the trend was similar among women. As with any observational study, researchers cannot completely rule out the influence of other factors, such as socioeconomic differences or lifestyle habits.
Nonetheless, the study used a rigorous “emulated target trial” approach designed to reduce many of the biases that often plague observational research, and additional analyzes produced similar results.
For now, the researchers emphasize that the results are promising but preliminary. Data suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists may potentially play a role in the prevention and treatment of SUDs, but more research will be needed before these medications can be considered part of routine addiction care.
This article does not offer medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.
Learn more: GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic promote weight loss, but what happens once you stop taking them?
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