Khaberni - A comprehensive research study found that some slimming injections, such as "Wegovy" and "Ozempic," may not only have benefits for weight loss but also extend to reducing the risk of worsening mental health problems.
These drugs belong to a class known as "glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists" (GLP-1), which were primarily developed to treat type 2 diabetes. They work by mimicking a natural hormone in the body that helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels, enhancing the feeling of fullness and aiding in weight loss.
The study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, was based on analyzing medical records of more than 95,000 people in Sweden, all of whom had previously suffered from depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, over a span of 13 years. Among these, about 22,000 people used GLP-1 class medications for conditions such as obesity or diabetes.
The results showed that individuals who took the drug "semaglutide" – the active ingredient in "Wegovy" and "Ozempic" – were 42% less likely to experience a deterioration in their mental state. The risk of worsening depression decreased by 44%, anxiety by 38%, and drug abuse disorders by 47%.
The benefits did not stop there; users of these drugs were less likely to need admission to psychiatric hospitals, took fewer sick leaves, and had lower rates of suicide.
Another drug from the same class, "liraglutide," commercially known as "Saxenda," also showed a positive effect, associated with an 18% reduction in the risk of mental health deterioration.
On the other hand, other drugs in the same class did not show the same results; researchers found no clear evidence of psychological benefits for the drugs "exenatide" and "dulaglutide".
Despite these encouraging results, researchers emphasize that these medications are not a direct treatment for mental disorders but may only help reduce the worsening of symptoms in those already suffering from them.
They also stressed that the study is observational, meaning it does not prove a direct causal relationship between the use of these drugs and improved mental state, but it paves the way for more precise clinical trials in the future.
Experts welcomed these results, with caution. Professor Edward Vieitez noted that they appear reassuring from a clinical perspective and may suggest a potential role in improving mental health conditions, but warned against considering them direct therapeutic evidence.
Professor Ian Medment emphasized the need to test these results through comprehensive clinical trials, while researcher Vincenzo Oliva explained that interest in these drugs is increasing, given their potential impact extending beyond metabolism to include mental health as well.
