Ozempic lowers risk of depression and not because people are happy theyre thinner
Jab for joy?A landmark study of nearly 30,000 patients found that the use of GLP-1 medications, which include Wegovy and Ozempic, could have “an antidepressant effect,” suggesting that these drugs could one day be used in mental health therapy.And while some people may have a boost in mental health and self-image from weight loss, that’s not actually what researchers think is the cause.Semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy — is part of a class of drugs that mimic the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone, making users feel fuller for longer.Originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 medications have become wildly popular due to their ability to help people lose weight by slowing digestion and reducing appetite.Since flooding the market, myriad, additional health benefits have been reported.
Recent studies have shown drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic may help fight kidney disease and could be beneficial in preventing and treating substance abuse.In a clinical trial, Wegovy use was linked to improved exercise ability in people with diabetes and heart failure.Last March, Wegovy was approved to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attacks and other serious cardiovascular problems in patients who are overweight or obese.Preliminary research has also suggested that semaglutide may protect against neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, meaning drugs like Ozempic could potentially guard against Alzheimer’s.Add now increased happiness may be added to the growing list of health benefits associated with GLP-1 medications.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one in five adults in the US have been diagnosed with depression, which is believed to arise from a combination of genetic background and environmental stressors.Further, patients with type 2 diabetes are about twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression compared to others.Although numerous anti-depressive treatments are currently available, an as...