GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wigovy, Libersus), which are commonly prescribed for diabetes and obesity, may also be associated with improved mental health, according to a new study. The study found that people using these drugs had fewer psychiatric visits and less time off from work due to mental health problems. This large-scale analysis was conducted by researchers from the University of Eastern Finland, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, and Griffith University in Australia.
Obesity and diabetes are both associated with an increased risk of mental health problems. At the same time, people with mental disorders are more likely to develop metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Scientists have long studied how these symptoms overlap and whether treatments for physical health can also affect mental health.
To investigate this association, researchers analyzed data from about 100,000 people, including more than 20,000 who had used GLP-1 drugs. Participants were tracked using the Swedish National Health Register from 2009 to 2022.
Anxiety reduction and psychiatric care for depression
The study results showed that GLP-1 drugs, particularly semaglutide, were associated with fewer psychiatric-related hospital visits and fewer sick days. During the period when people were taking semaglutide, the need for such care was reduced by 42% compared to the period when they were not using GLP-1. The risk of depression was reduced by 44% and the risk of anxiety disorders was reduced by 38%.
Reduced risk of drug use and suicidal behavior
The study also found a significant reduction in substance use disorders among semaglutide users. Hospital treatment and work absences related to drug use decreased by 47% during the treatment period. Additionally, GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with a reduced risk of suicidal behavior.
One of the study authors, Professor Mark Taylor from Griffith University, said the results were not entirely unexpected, saying: “Previous research examining Swedish registries found that GLP-1 drug use was associated with a lower risk of alcohol use disorder. Alcohol-related problems often have downstream effects on mood and anxiety, so we expected these to have a positive effect as well.”
Why do these drugs affect the brain?
Still, the strength of the association surprised the research team. “As this is a registry-based study, we cannot pinpoint exactly why or how these drugs affect mood symptoms, but the associations were very strong. “In addition to factors such as alleviation of symptoms due to improved glycemic control of the disease, direct neurobiological mechanisms may also be involved, for example changes in the function of the brain’s reward system,” said study director Marc Leteenvuo. University of Eastern Finland.
Strong evidence but further research needed
The result is lancet psychiatrythe leading journal in the field. Previous studies on GLP-1 medication and mental health have yielded mixed results, but many of those studies have been small. Although this large-scale registry-based analysis adds stronger evidence, further research is still needed to fully understand the association.
