New clues on semaglutide and alcohol dependence
In recent years, semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, has drawn attention beyond weight loss and diabetes management. A small American study provides the first clinical hints that this GLP-1 receptor agonist could help people with alcohol use disorder by reducing the amount they drink during episodes and by strengthening their ability to resist cravings.
Study design and participants
The trial recruited 48 adults who drank heavily: women averaging more than seven drinks per week and men more than fourteen, with at least two episodes of heavy drinking per week. Half of the participants received weekly injections of semaglutide for nine weeks, while the other half received a placebo. The study was conducted in a double-blind fashion, so neither participants nor researchers knew who received the active medication.
How the researchers tested craving and drinking
Two behavioral tests were used to gauge the drug’s impact. In one, participants sat for 50 minutes with their preferred alcoholic beverage and could win cash by resisting temptation. In a second test, they were allowed to drink as much as they wished over a two-hour period. These tasks aimed to simulate real-world challenges and measure craving resistance and alcohol intake under controlled conditions.
Key findings
Results showed that while semaglutide did not change the average number of drinks per day or the overall drinking frequency, it significantly reduced the amount consumed during drinking episodes and improved the participants’ ability to resist urges to drink compared with the placebo group. These findings point to a potential role for semaglutide in dampening the intensity of drinking episodes and enhancing self-control in the context of alcohol use disorder.
A surprising side effect among smokers
An unexpected observation emerged in a subgroup of participants who smoked: those treated with semaglutide showed a greater tendency to quit smoking than their peers on placebo. While this finding is intriguing, it requires cautious interpretation due to the small sample size and the exploratory nature of the study.
Why might semaglutide affect addiction?
Semaglutide belongs to the GLP-1 family, which mimics a natural hormone produced in the gut. Its effects on addiction are not yet fully understood, but researchers hypothesize that GLP-1 receptor activation may influence brain reward pathways, reducing the pleasure associated with alcohol or nicotine and contributing to decreased cravings and consumption.
Limitations and next steps
The researchers emphasize that the small sample size limits the ability to draw firm conclusions about safety and adverse effects. They advocate for larger, longer trials that include individuals with more severe alcohol dependence and higher levels of consumption to determine whether these early signals hold in broader populations and to better assess potential side effects.
Implications for treatment and future research
These preliminary results suggest semaglutide could become part of a broader strategy for treating alcohol use disorder, potentially in combination with psychosocial therapies and other medications. However, patients should not self-administer Wegovy or Ozempic solely to reduce drinking without medical supervision. Any consideration of off-label use for addiction must follow careful clinical evaluation and regulatory guidance.
Conclusion
The findings are promising but exploratory. Larger studies are needed to confirm efficacy, clarify safety, and define optimal use cases for semaglutide in alcohol dependence, including potential cross-benefits for related addictions such as smoking.
