GLP-1 weight-loss drugs with semaglutide were associated with a lower risk of depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and self-harm, according to a new study.
The research, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, examined the effects of GLP-1 medications, commonly prescribed for diabetes and obesity, on mental health outcomes. Semaglutide, a widely used ingredient in these drugs, was linked to reduced psychiatric complications, including fewer hospitalizations and medical leaves related to mental health.
Scientists from the University of Eastern Finland, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, and Griffith University in Australia found that people using semaglutide had a 42 percent lower risk of worsening mental illness, compared with an 18 percent lower risk among those using liraglutide, another GLP-1 drug. Depression risk was 44 percent lower, while anxiety disorders were reduced by 38 percent. Users also experienced a 47 percent lower risk of hospital care or medical leave related to substance use, and self-harm risk was similarly reduced.
GLP-1 medications work by mimicking the body’s naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone, which regulates appetite and blood sugar. The study included over 95,000 individuals with a mean age of 50.6 years, all of whom had a diagnosis of depression or anxiety and were on antidiabetic treatment between 2009 and 2022.
The researchers noted that the findings do not establish a direct causal link between weight loss and improved mental health. Instead, the relationship is likely complex, influenced by both the biological effects of the drugs and lifestyle changes associated with managing obesity and diabetes. The team suggested that these results could serve as a foundation for future clinical trials investigating the mental health benefits of GLP-1 medications.
Experts point to the broader context of mental health and metabolic conditions as a pressing public health concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), roughly one in six people in Europe, or 140 million individuals, live with a mental health condition ranging from mild to severe. Depression is nearly twice as common among adults with diabetes, and the risk of developing diabetes also rises among those with existing mental health conditions, creating a challenging cycle.
The International Diabetes Federation notes that this two-way connection is shaped by biological, behavioral, and social factors, making it difficult to interrupt. People with severe mental illness are particularly affected, with diabetes prevalence estimated to be two to three times higher due to medication side effects, health disparities, and lifestyle factors.
The study’s findings offer a potential new angle in the treatment of patients with diabetes and obesity, suggesting that GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide could provide benefits beyond weight management, supporting mental well-being alongside physical health.
