A new study from the University of Bern shows that weight-loss injections may improve mental health, in addition to helping with appetite control. These medications, originally developed to treat diabetes, are now being used to help people lose weight. The study found that these injections may also improve mood, quality of life, and mental health in ways that other diabetes treatments cannot.
GLP-1 Medications: More Than Just Appetite Control
The study focused on a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy). These medications help reduce appetite and slow down digestion. Researchers presented their findings at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga. They discovered that patients using these medications reported better mental health, including improved mood and less anxiety.
In many cases, patients showed no signs of increased mental health risks. Instead, they found that their mental health improved while using the drugs. This is a big deal because it means that GLP-1 medications may be helpful not just for weight loss but also for improving psychological well-being.
Safe for People with Mental Health Conditions
The study also showed that these injections are safe for people who take medications for mental health issues. This includes people on antidepressants or antipsychotic drugs. The research included five studies, and it found that people with conditions like schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder benefited from using GLP-1 medications. These people also saw improvements in their mental health while managing their weight.
This is important because many people with mental health disorders struggle with their physical health, too. Often, the medications they take for mental health can make their physical health worse. GLP-1 drugs, on the other hand, may improve both physical and mental health at the same time.
Better Than Insulin for Mental Health
In addition to helping with mental health in people with mental illnesses, the study also found that GLP-1 drugs had a positive effect on mental health in the general population. For people without mental health conditions, the medications worked better than insulin or other diabetes treatments.
Dr. Sigrid Breit, the lead author of the study, explained that GLP-1 medications might also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These effects could help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, which would make the medications work as an antidepressant.
A Key Treatment for High-Risk Groups
Dr. Breit also highlighted the importance of these medications for people with mental health disorders. People with these disorders are three times more likely to be obese compared to the general public. GLP-1 drugs could be a major help for this group, providing a solution for both their weight and mental health concerns.
Dr. Ed Beveridge from the Royal College of Psychiatrists also supported this idea. He said that people with mental health issues should have priority access to GLP-1 medications. He also stressed the importance of closely monitoring people who take these drugs, especially if they have complex health issues.
Health Gaps in People with Mental Illness
Despite the promise of GLP-1 medications, experts warn that there are still major health gaps for people with severe mental illness. Rachel Hastings-Caplan from Rethink Mental Illness pointed out that people with serious mental health conditions often have worse physical health than others. These individuals tend to live much shorter lives than the general population, partly because the medications they take to manage their mental health can make their physical health worse.
Hastings-Caplan also noted that while GLP-1 injections show promise, they should not be relied on as a long-term solution. She called for more investment in treatments that address mental illness without causing additional harm. These treatments should aim to improve both mental and physical health without the side effects that sometimes come with using weight-loss injections.
Caution and Optimism for the Future
Experts agree that while GLP-1 injections could be helpful, they should only be used with medical supervision. Hastings-Caplan stressed that these drugs should be considered a short-term treatment and that doctors should carefully monitor people who use them.
There is cautious optimism about the future use of these medications. As more studies are conducted, GLP-1 drugs may become a key tool for treating people with both mental and physical health issues. But it’s important to use them carefully, along with other treatments that focus on long-term health.
The study from the University of Bern shows that GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic and Wegovy, not only help with weight loss but also improve mental health. These drugs have shown promise in treating people with mental health issues while managing obesity or diabetes. However, experts recommend using these medications under medical supervision. As more research is done, these injections could become an important part of treating both mental and physical health, especially for those who face multiple health challenges.