What if losing weight wasn't the only surprising side effect of popular medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy®? Many people are reportedly discovering that these drugs, originally designed for diabetes and obesity treatment, are also dramatically altering their relationship with alcohol — sometimes making them swear off drinking entirely.
A Surprising Shift
Patients like Michelle Udden, who once drank daily, say their desire for alcohol vanished almost immediately after starting semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. "I poured a glass of bourbon and couldn't finish it," Udden told The Telegraph. Others, like Eva Monsen, found that drinking no longer provided the same pleasure. "I was just incapable of feeling the buzz," she said to The New York Times.
It's a phenomenon many users are reporting: the medication not only reduces appetite but also dulls cravings for alcohol, even making some people actively dislike it.
The Science Behind the Buzzkill
Semaglutide is part of a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic a natural gut hormone that regulates appetite and insulin production. But it also interacts with the brain's reward system, potentially reducing the dopamine response associated with addictive behaviors like drinking.
Dr. Joseph Schacht from the University of Colorado School of Medicine explains that semaglutide appears to affect the brain pathways tied to motivation and reward, saying it "reduces dopamine release in the brain," as reported by The Telegraph.
Animal studies have supported these effects for years. Rats and monkeys given GLP-1 drugs consumed less alcohol, nicotine, and even cocaine. Now, human trials are beginning to show similar outcomes. In Denmark, patients with obesity who took a GLP-1 compound alongside therapy reduced their alcohol consumption far more than those on a placebo, as reported by The Telegraph.
An Unexpected Side Benefit
For many, the change in drinking habits is a welcome surprise. Tamara Hall, a mother of three, said the medication made cutting back on cocktails effortless. "I didn't know it would have the impact of me not wanting the alcohol," she told NPR. "It's a huge benefit."
The trend isn't limited to heavy drinkers. A WeightWatchers study of 14,000 members found that nearly half of those taking GLP-1 drugs, like Wegovy or Mounjaro, reported drinking less — even moderate drinkers, as reported by NPR.
A New Tool for Addiction?
The buzz — or lack thereof — around GLP-1 drugs is sparking interest in their potential for treating substance use disorders. Clinical trials are now testing semaglutide on people with alcohol addiction, with promising early results.
f successful, these drugs could revolutionize treatment for conditions like alcohol use disorder, which affects millions worldwide. Current treatments often have significant limitations, but semaglutide's dual impact on weight and addiction offers a hopeful alternative.
What's Next?
While researchers work to understand why these drugs dull the desire for alcohol, users like Udden are embracing the changes.
"I am so much more focused at work. I sleep so much better and wake without an alarm clock. I’m not sure how I feel about drinking in the future. When I think about social gatherings and things like an upcoming all-inclusive vacation, being the sober one isn't much fun. But if I had to pick from being sober and drinking as much as I used to, I would stick with sober," Udden says, as reported by The Telegraph.
For many, semaglutide isn't just helping them shed pounds — it's helping them shed old habits, too.
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