Expert explains how semaglutide could significantly reduce risk of depression

Individuals taking semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, were 44% less likely to be treated for depression and 42% less likely to require psychiatric hospital care than when they were not on the drug, according to a major new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry.

The research which followed almost 100,000 individuals for 13 years showed that GLP-1 drugs have their strongest impact on mental health, according to the research results.

Carried out by scientists at the University of Eastern Finland, Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, and Griffith University in Australia, the study utilised Swedish health records from 2009 to 2022.

Approximately 21,500 participants used GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs during this window. Rather than comparing different groups, researchers compared each participant's state while taking the medication against their state without it.

Impact on Substance Use and Anxiety

In terms of use periods, findings revealed:

• A decrease in anxiety disorders by 38%.
• A decrease of 47% for individuals diagnosed with a substance use disorder requiring hospitalisation or absenteeism.

The connection remains complex; while obesity and type 2 diabetes increase risks for depression, psychiatric illnesses also heighten risks for metabolic disease. Professor Mark Taylor of Griffith University noted that GLP-1 medications were already known to reduce alcohol use disorder.

"Alcohol-related problems often have downstream effects on mood and anxiety, so we expected the effect to be positive on these as well," he said.

University of Eastern Finland Research Director Markku Lähteenvuo noted: "The association was quite strong."

Please Note: This information is for educational purposes only and does not count as professional advice. Readers should always consult a qualified doctor regarding any questions about their health or a medical condition.