The surprising mental health and brain benefits of weight-loss drugs – New Scientist

Advertisement
Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have unexpected effects on the brain, opening up potential new ways to treat depression, anxiety, addiction and Alzheimer’s
By Simar Bajaj
12 June 2024

ADDICTIVE STOCK CREATIVES/Alamy; AdoBe stock
Kathy Schwartz was 10 years free from alcohol, cigarettes and opiates but every day it was painful to control her cravings. “They were always in the background,” she says. In June last year, however, this noise fell silent.
Prescribed the weight-loss drug semaglutide, she not only lost nearly 30 kilograms over 10 months, but also her desire to reach for a drink or take some pills. “I do not crave, which I didn’t think would be a side effect,” says Schwartz. Remarkably, the depression and anxiety that would previously come over her in waves also calmed down.

Read more
Beyond Wegovy: Could the next wave of weight-loss drugs end obesity?
Schwartz isn’t alone in this experience. New research is revealing the surprising brain and mental health benefits of semaglutide drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, and other related diabetes and weight-loss drugs that mimic a gut hormone released after eating.
It is early days, but there are hints that these drugs could be repurposed to treat depression, anxiety, addiction and even certain eating disorders – as well as neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. What’s more, it seems that these effects aren’t just mediated via weight loss, but through direct action on the brain.
The story of drugs like Ozempic starts back in the 1970s and 1980s when researchers discovered that a gut hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) could stimulate insulin production when injected into rodents in the lab. More surprisingly, these animals started eating less and losing weight. We now know that the hormone leads to an increased feeling of fullness.
Today, drugs that mimic…
Advertisement
Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We’ll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.
To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers
No commitment, cancel anytime*
Offer ends 2nd of July 2024.
*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.
Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)
Existing subscribers
Advertisement
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Features
Subscriber-only
Leader
Subscriber-only
News
Subscriber-only
Analysis
Subscriber-only
Trending New Scientist articles
Advertisement
Download the app

source