Drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, including well-known brands such as Ozempic and Wegovy, may have unexpected mental health benefits. These drugs belong to a class called GLP-1 receptor agonists, and a large new study found that they were associated with fewer psychiatric hospital visits and fewer days off from work due to mental health conditions. The study was carried out by scientists from the University of Eastern Finland, Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, and Griffith University in Australia.
Conditions such as obesity and diabetes are often associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. At the same time, people with mental disorders are more likely to develop metabolic diseases. Because of this bidirectional relationship, researchers have investigated whether treatments for physical health conditions can also impact mental health.
Nearly 100,000 people tracked in large-scale investigation
To investigate this, researchers analyzed data from the Swedish National Health Register, which tracked around 100,000 people from 2009 to 2022. More than 20,000 participants were using GLP-1 drugs during this period. This large data set allowed scientists to compare periods when people were taking the drug and periods when they were not taking it.
Significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and hospitalizations
The results of this study showed a strong association between GLP-1 drug use and improved mental health outcomes. The use of GLP-1 drugs, particularly semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wigovy, was associated with fewer psychiatric visits and fewer sick days.
There was a 42% reduction in psychiatric-related hospitalizations and sick leave during the period when people were taking semaglutide compared to the period when they were not taking these drugs. 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 decrease in substance use disorders. During the period of semaglutide use, drug use-related hospitalizations and absenteeism were reduced by 47%. 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 these results were expected. “Previous research examining a Swedish registry found that the use of GLP-1 drugs 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 might these drugs affect the brain?
Still, the strength of the results surprised the researchers. Because the study relies on registry data, it cannot prove exactly how or why these drugs affect mental health.
“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 symptom relief associated with improved glucose control, direct neurobiological mechanisms may also be involved, such as changes in the functioning of the brain’s reward system,” said research director Marc Leteenvuo. University of Eastern Finland.
Published in a major psychiatric journal
The survey results are lancet psychiatrythe leading journal in the field. Some previous studies on GLP-1 drugs and mental health have had mixed results, but many have been small. This large-scale, long-term analysis adds to strong evidence that these widely used medications can have far-reaching effects beyond blood sugar and weight management.
