health
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There has been some controversy over the use of a class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists to treat obesity. GLP-1 agonists, also known as GLP-1, are drugs that mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone in the body. Perhaps the best known of these drugs is semaglutide, the generic name for Ozempic. Although GLP-1 was developed to treat diabetes, some believe it should only be used to treat diabetes, especially since shortages make it difficult for some diabetics to obtain. However, throughout history, drugs developed to treat one concern have later been found to be effective for many other conditions. A good example is the anti-epileptic drugs that were later found to be effective in treating depression and bipolar disorder.
Early research on GLP-1 showed it could be effective in treating obesity, but subsequent studies have also found promising results for a number of mental health issues (D.H. Kim et al. 2023; Y. Liu et al. 2018).
depression. Several studies have shown that GLP-1 improves depression in diabetic as well as non-diabetic patients.
anxiety. An early correlation has been observed between reduced anxiety and stress levels, and further studies are being conducted to examine this effect.
Eating disorder. GLP-1 has shown positive results in recovery from binge eating disorder by suppressing appetite and increasing satiety.
Alzheimer's disease. One study (Y. Li et al. 2022) looked at improvements in cognitive function, suggesting potential benefits for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Addictive behavior. Research quickly found that these drugs not only helped suppress appetite, but also helped reduce excessive drinking, smoking, and other addictive behaviors.
Why does it work?
Research has found that GLP-1 may act on brain regions involved in mood regulation, promoting neurogenesis, and enhancing neurological function. Recent research on the gut-brain connection (MT Kamaruddin et al. 2022) suggests that since GLP-1 is a gut hormone, GLP-1 agonists may help cure gut problems that affect the brain. These drugs have also been shown to be very effective in treating blood sugar control. High blood sugar can cause fatigue, reduced clarity of thinking, and anxiety. Lowering blood sugar levels can help improve these symptoms.
More research is needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn. We are not suggesting that these drugs should be used solely to treat psychiatric disorders, but the findings may lead to new treatments for certain psychiatric disorders. Research should focus on the following:
Cause and effect. There is still a need to clarify whether these drugs are directly related to improving psychiatric disorders or symptoms. Just because we see a certain outcome doesn't mean we can pinpoint the exact cause. This needs to be explored in more controlled studies.
Individual differences. People who take GLP-1 may have very different symptoms, may be taking other medications, or may have other health factors and lifestyle choices that can affect the results some people get.
Long-term study. Because these drugs are still relatively new, further long-term and larger studies are needed to confirm their potential benefits and risks after years of use.
Before taking any new medication, consult with a medical professional. Different people react differently and there may be various risk factors that affect their tolerance to certain medications. While GLP-1 works for many people, some people experience severe side effects that they cannot tolerate despite the effectiveness of the medication. Also, there are some people for whom these medications do not work very well. While there is no miracle drug that works for every condition, we cannot ignore the amazing results that many people are getting with this treatment.