GLP-1 medications with semaglutide are associated with a lower risk of mental disorders, study shows

GLP-1 weight-loss medications containing semaglutide are associated with a lower risk of depression, anxiety, addiction, and self-harm, according to a new study. This was reported by Euronews.

The results, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, indicate that patients treated with GLP-1 therapies for diabetes and obesity have a lower need for hospital treatment and medical leave for psychiatric reasons.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Eastern Finland, Karolinska Institute, and Griffith University. Data shows that individuals taking semaglutide have a 42% lower risk of worsening mental illness, while for liraglutide, this risk is 18% lower.

Regarding specific conditions, the risk of depression is 44% lower, and the risk of anxiety disorders is 38% lower.

Semaglutide is also associated with a lower risk of addiction—hospitalizations and absences related to substance use are 47% lower, and the risk of self-harm also decreases. Semaglutide and liraglutide are active substances in GLP-1 medications that mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone and help regulate appetite and blood sugar levels.

The study covers over 95,000 people with an average age of 50.6 years, diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders, who took antidiabetic medications between 2009 and 2022.

The authors emphasize that the study does not prove a direct causal link between weight loss and improved mental health. According to them, the relationship between medication, weight reduction, and mental state is complex and requires further clinical research. Nevertheless, the results provide a basis for future clinical trials.

According to World Health Organization data, approximately one in six people in Europe—about 140 million people—lives with a mental disorder.

Prevalence is even higher among people with diabetes and obesity. According to the International Diabetes Federation, depression is nearly twice as common in adults with diabetes.

The relationship is bidirectional—mental disorders increase the risk of developing diabetes, while biological, behavioral, and social factors create a cycle that is difficult to break.

Among people with severe mental illnesses, diabetes occurs two to three times more frequently, which is explained by the effects of certain medications, social inequalities, and lifestyle factors.