Ozempic linked to lower risk of worsening mental health, study suggests

A Swedish observational study of almost 95,000 people with diabetes or obesity and diagnosed mental health conditions found semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) was associated with lower risks of worsening depression (44%), anxiety (38%) and addiction (47%); researchers said the results support running clinical trials.

A new Swedish observational study reports that people with diabetes or obesity who also had depression or anxiety and took semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy — were less likely to see their mental health worsen. The research followed almost 95,000 people and the results were published in The Lancet Psychiatry. The findings add to ongoing discussion about broader effects of GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs on well-being. The study authors said the results were strong enough to justify clinical trials to test whether these medicines could help treat mental health disorders. Key details: - The study followed almost 95,000 people with diabetes or obesity and a diagnosed mental health condition. - Semaglutide use was associated with a 44% lower risk of worsening depression, a 38% lower risk of worsening anxiety, and a 47% lower risk of worsening addiction, as reported in The Lancet Psychiatry. - The authors said the findings were notable enough to warrant clinical trials to establish whether Ozempic, Wegovy or similar drugs can help treat these disorders. - The article notes growing evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class that includes other medicines such as Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, can have effects on addiction. - Commentator David Nutt said better mental health often follows better physical health and that using GLP-1 drugs alone as treatments for depression or anxiety is unlikely to be sufficient. Summary: The study contributes to evidence that semaglutide and related GLP-1 drugs could influence mental health outcomes among people with diabetes or obesity. Researchers recommended clinical trials to test causality and to evaluate any potential treatment role; timing and scope of such trials are undetermined at this time.