Injectable weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic have exploded in popularity over the past few years, yet scientists are still exploring how they affect our bodies.
In 2024, around 5 per cent of Britons had used an injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, a medication known under brand names such as Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro. The drugs work by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 to slow down digestion and lower appetite, which can lead to significant weight loss.
But alongside the well-documented weight-loss effects, emerging scientific research has indicated that the medication may have other potential benefits, from reducing addictive behaviours to lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Here’s a breakdown of some of Ozempic’s unexpected side effects:
Reducing addictive behaviours
Research has found that weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic may help curb addictive behaviours, such as alcohol addiction. One 2025 study, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, found that semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) reduced cravings in people with alcohol use disorder.
Semaglutide is a medication that mimics a natural hormone to help regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite. It's used to treat type 2 diabetes and support weight loss.
The findings followed a 2024 study, published in the scientific journal Addiction, revealing that people taking Ozempic (or a similar medication) appeared to have a 40 per cent lower rate of opioid overdose.
“By modulating dopamine release, these medications appear to reduce cravings for alcohol, nicotine, ultra-processed foods, and even compulsive behaviours,” Dr Tamsin Lewis, founder of the London-based personalised healthcare service, Wellgevity, told the Standard.
She said she had observed this anecdotally in patients and that animal studies backed it up. “This may be one of the most powerful aspects of these medications for long-term behaviour change,” Dr Lewis added.
Lowering Alzheimer's disease and dementia risk
Research has indicated that taking GLP-1 drugs can also lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
According to a 2024 study, semaglutide was associated with a 40 per cent to 70 per cent lower risk of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis over three years compared with other diabetes treatments.
“This may be linked to reduced insulin resistance, which is increasingly being recognised as a driver of brain ageing,” said Dr Lewis.
Helping with ADHD symptoms
According to Dr Mohamed Najjar, medical director of Jorja Healthcare Group, which offers weight-management treatments and also adult ADHD diagnosis, taking Ozempic may be able to soften the traits of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
“This connection is based on the drug's potential effects on brain function and neurotransmitter regulation, which could be beneficial in managing ADHD symptoms [such as impulsivity and difficulty with focus],” he told the Standard.
However, Dr Najjar emphasised that there is limited research in this area and “more studies are needed to establish the direct result of GLP-1 medication and ADHD”.
Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
Research has indicated that semaglutide may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes.
“It appears to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and improve endothelial function — all of which support vascular health,” Dr Lewis told the Standard.
Lowering depression and anxiety
GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic have been linked to a reduction in diagnoses of depression and anxiety. “GLP-1s slow gastric emptying and reduce gut inflammation, but they also influence vagal signalling and brain function via the gut-brain axis,” said Dr Lewis.
“Some patients report greater calm, satiety and mental clarity on these medications — although side effects like nausea and constipation need careful management.”
