Title: Ozempic and Wegovy: Wonder Drugs Show Potential in Curbing Addictive Cravings
By Marc Lallanilla | August 28, 2023 | 4:53pm
A new trend is emerging with the use of Ozempic and Wegovy, two drugs known for their efficacy in treating various conditions. The generic name for the ingredient in these medications, semaglutide, is showing promise in curbing addictive cravings and behaviors, according to anecdotal reports and ongoing medical studies.
Semaglutide has already been proven effective in treating heart failure, type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart attack, and stroke. However, as more patients and doctors share their experiences, it’s becoming apparent that the drug may have additional benefits beyond its intended use.
Reports have indicated that semaglutide might help control a range of compulsions, including alcohol intake, binge eating, impulse snacking, cigarette smoking, vaping, impulse buying, nail biting, opioid use, and gambling. While there is a significant gap between anecdotal evidence and clinical studies, the trend is impossible to ignore.
Cheri Ferguson, who started taking Ozempic to lose weight gained during the COVID-19 pandemic, is amazed by the unexpected results. Alongside her weight loss of 38 pounds, she no longer feels compelled to smoke or vape. “It’s like someone’s just come along and switched the light on, and you can see the room for what it is,” she said.
Similar experiences have been reported by individuals like J. Paul Grayson, who also gained weight during the pandemic and developed high blood pressure, prediabetes, and heart arrhythmia. After starting on Ozempic, Grayson noticed a decreased interest in alcohol. “I ordered a beer, took a sip, and I couldn’t finish it,” he said.
Medical experts are taking note of these stories, with some conducting clinical trials to explore semaglutide’s effect on appetite and addictive behaviors. Dr. Jena Shaw Tronieri, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, is leading one such trial. Patients on the drug often report a reduced desire to engage in addictive behaviors.
The efficacy of these drugs can be attributed, in part, to their impact on dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with rewarding addictive and compulsive behavior. Semaglutide has shown the ability to diminish dopamine release in the brain when consuming foods or drinks that typically trigger cravings.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine are currently conducting clinical trials to assess semaglutide’s impact on alcohol and tobacco use. While the clinical data is still being collected, anecdotal evidence is already causing an increase in off-label prescriptions of Ozempic and Wegovy for treating addiction and compulsive behaviors.
According to Christian S. Hendershot, a psychologist and addiction researcher, the significant anecdotal evidence emerging prior to the publication of clinical studies is unprecedented. Hendershot acknowledges the potential risks and uncertainties but suggests that the increase in prescriptions is a sign that the news about semaglutide’s effectiveness has already spread.
As more studies are conducted and published, the impact of semaglutide on addictive cravings and behaviors will become clearer. For now, individuals struggling with addiction are finding hope in these wonder drugs, as doctors explore their potential beyond their original intended uses.