By now, you can probably list the potential benefits of moving forward A GLP-1 receptor agonist such as Ozempic or Zepbound in his sleep. These drugs can help with blood sugar control, weight loss, and cardiovascular health, among other things—which probably isn’t news to you. But the messages about GLP-1s and mental health were a bit confusing.
When these drugs first became popular, there was much public comment that taking GLP-1 was associated with a higher risk of suicide. This prompted an investigation Food and Drug Administration (FDA), although the agency noted in January that a preliminary evaluation of the data found no evidence that GLP-1s cause suicidal thoughts or actions.
New research suggests that taking GLP-1 could have a huge impact on your mental health—in a good way.
Before we dive in, let’s address the big question: No, doctors aren’t suggesting you rush out and take GLP-1 if you have depression or anxiety. But health care providers are excited about the prospect of another treatment option for people with these conditions — as long as you need GLP-1 in the first place. Here’s the deal.
The study is a major win for GLP-1s and mental health.
For the study, which appeared in The Lancet PsychiatryThe researchers analyzed data from nearly 100,000 participants who were followed between 2009 and 2022 in Swedish national registries. More than 20,000 of them used GLP-1 drugs.
The researchers found that people who used a GLP-1 drug– especially semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) – had up to a 42% lower risk of getting sick and needing psychiatric hospital care than when they didn’t take the drug. The researchers also found that semaglutide users with depression had a 44% lower risk, while those with anxiety disorders had a 38% lower risk. Overall, there was a lower risk of suicidal behavior in people who used GLP-1.
Semaglutide also had an effect on substance use disorders, as those taking semaglutide had a 47% lower risk of substance use illness or hospitalization.
“Diabetes and obesity there is increased prices depression, anxiety and suicide’ Mark Taylor, MBBSstudy co-author and psychiatrist from Griffith University, tells SELF. “Reductions in sick leave, or health-related absences from work, were the most unexpected and significant results, along with reductions in suicidal behaviors. As mental health is now the most common reason people are on sick leave or absent from work due to ill health, this has serious public health implications.”
