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Investigators have uncovered a potentially beneficial side effect of Ozempic and comparable medications: their ability to assist in managing excessive alcohol consumption. A recent study featured in the journal JAMA Psychiatry revealed that semaglutide, available under various brand names such as Mounjaro, Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, may help reduce cravings for alcohol. Nevertheless, this clinical trial involved only a limited sample of 48 individuals and extended over a nine-week period. The participants selected were already facing challenges related to alcohol use disorder (AUD), a condition characterized by difficulty in regulating alcohol intake. Female participants indicated they typically consumed over seven alcoholic beverages weekly, while the male participants reported an average of 14 drinks in the month leading up to the study. Additionally, they noted experiencing two or more days of heavy drinking, defined as five drinks in a single occasion for men and four for women.
Throughout the study, one group of participants received low dosages of semaglutide once a week, while the other group was administered a placebo. By the second month of treatment, those in the semaglutide group exhibited nearly a 30 percent decrease in alcohol consumption on the days they chose to drink. In contrast, the placebo group achieved only a modest 2 percent reduction during the same timeframe. Furthermore, 40 percent of the semaglutide group reported no instances of heavy drinking, compared to 20 percent in the placebo cohort. However, findings indicated that semaglutide did not influence the frequency of drinking days; rather, it only resulted in reduced amounts consumed. The trial concluded that while the days of alcohol consumption remained unchanged, the volume ingested on those days did lessen.
It is important to acknowledge several limitations within this new research as well. For instance, it remains unclear exactly how semaglutide diminishes alcohol cravings. Does it act through common side effects like nausea, which could deter drinking behaviors? Or does it influence brain functions in a way that makes alcohol less attractive, akin to its impact on food consumption?
Furthermore, the research did not involve participants who were of normal weight. Among the individuals studied, only one had a body mass index (BMI) below 24.9, while BMI levels between 25 and 29 classify as overweight and those starting at 30 are categorized as obese. Consequently, the applicability of semaglutide for individuals without weight challenges remains uncertain. Additionally, the effects of ceasing the use of the medication for individuals with alcohol use disorder have yet to be explored. To fully understand how semaglutide may influence alcohol dependency, larger-scale studies conducted over extended periods are essential. Initially created as a treatment for diabetes, semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that has recently become well-known for its impressive weight loss outcomes. It functions by emulating the GLP-1 enzyme's role, which lowers appetite through pathways in the brain while simultaneously slowing the rate at which the stomach empties its contents into the intestines. This leads to an earlier sensation of fullness, contributing to reduced calorie consumption and, ultimately, weight loss.
As it gains widespread attention as a remarkable medication noted for its dual capabilities in enhancing insulin production and facilitating substantial weight loss, the emergence of various side effects—some unexpected—has been noted. Mild adverse reactions can include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and discomfort in the upper abdomen. More serious complications may result in vision impairment, pancreatitis, stomach paralysis, gallbladder dysfunction, and allergic responses. Some individuals might also experience ileus, a condition that prevents the intestines from contracting effectively, hindering the expulsion of waste from the body. Among the more surprising outcomes, increased fertility has been reported—often referred to in discussions of the “Ozempic baby boom”—along with indications of delayed aging.
