Semaglutide (sold as Ozempic or Wegovy) was initially developed to treat diabetes. The drug works by stimulating insulin production to keep blood sugar levels under control. But it also causes a feeling of satiety – which is why it began to be adopted in diets.
You may have already heard of one of these treatments, if you haven’t used it or know someone who has. Many celebrities have already joined the “pens”: this is the case of American presenter Oprah Winfrey.
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And when I say pen it’s because the shape of the medicine is precisely that. And it comes with a small needle at the end, and you need to inject the product into your body. I know people who have used it and they guarantee that it doesn’t hurt… that much. After all, it is a bite in the belly. But it’s not the end of the world.
Now, in addition to its use for diabetics and weight control, some patients report a decrease in the desire to drink alcohol and a decrease in the desire to smoke cigarettes and even other drugs.
But does semaglutide really have this effect? Or is it just the feeling of satiety, which takes away the desire for other things, but then that desire returns?
O Digital Look List, from now on, what science says about this hypothesis.
Can Ozempic help with addictions? What the studies say:
- First of all, it is important to highlight that these remedies can only be used under medical supervision.
- And, for those who use it to lose weight, it can be effective, but it’s not magic.
- Ideally, treatment should be accompanied by diet and an exercise routine.
- That said, let’s look at the research that talks about Ozempic and addiction.
- To begin with, the subject has still been little addressed by science.
- There are around 30 pre-clinical trials and the vast majority of them point to a reduction in the consumption or desire for drugs and alcohol, especially the latter.
- These studies, however, were carried out on animals.
- In humans, the literature is even smaller.
- The largest research to date has shown that exenatide, which also acts as a GLP-1 hormone agonist, like semaglutide, had no anti-addiction effects.
- There was no difference in the behavior of those who took the medicine and those who took the placebo.
- Another study, however, carried out with dulaglutide, showed that people who took the medicine drank 29% less alcohol than others.
As you read above, science still does not have a definitive answer on the use of Ozempic to treat alcohol, drug or cigarette addiction.
Patient reports may have to do with the parts of the body where the medicine acts.
Semaglutide is a substance that replaces the action of a hormone called GLP-1, produced naturally in the intestine. It acts on the hypothalamus, liver and pancreas.
Despite some people’s feeling that it works, further studies still need to be awaited. And, for now, continue with other treatments already approved and proven by scientists.
And we do not recommend the irresponsible use of Ozempic. Even because there are contraindications, such as people with pancreatitis and pregnant women. There are also several side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.
The ideal, therefore, is to talk to your doctor. And know that we are talking about an expensive treatment.
The information is from Science Alert.
