(NewsNation) — Popular diabetes and weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are correlated with lower rates of depression and anxiety, a new study found.
The research shows glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) medications are correlated with a decreased likelihood of depression and anxiety.
GLP-1 drugs include medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy. Designed for treating diabetes, the drugs have become popular for weight loss, with the Food and Drug Administration approving some for that purpose.
There have been questions over the mental health effects of the drugs, with Wegovy listing depression and suicidal ideation as possible side effects. However, recent research has suggested GLP-1 drugs do not cause depression.
Researchers examined 3,081,254 diabetic patients and 929,174 non-diabetic patients, comparing diabetic patients to those with an HbA1c documented and compared non-diabetic patients to those prescribed non-GLP-1 weight loss medications
They found those taking GLP-1 medications had a lower likelihood of depression as compared to those not prescribed GLP-1 medication. The same held true for anxiety, with those on GLP-1 medications less likely to be diagnosed with anxiety.
Correlation is not causation, however, and researchers did not offer any explanation as to why the medications might correlate to lower mental health risk or examine other possible factors that may have influenced patients’ risk for depression or anxiety.
