Importance Score: 78 / 100 🔴
Weight Loss Drugs Ozempic and Mounjaro Linked to Increased Risk of Depression and Suicidal Thoughts
Experts are cautioning that widely used weight loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro may elevate the potential for depression and suicidal thoughts, possibly leading patients to experience severe mental health challenges in their pursuit of a slimmer physique. These weight loss drugs, while effective, are under scrutiny for their potential psychiatric side effects.
Potential Impact on Dopamine Levels
Research suggests these drugs could disrupt the levels of dopamine, a crucial mood-regulating neurotransmitter, in susceptible individuals. This disruption of dopamine signaling may lead to adverse mental health outcomes.
European Medicine Agency Investigation
The European Medicine Agency is currently conducting a review of GLP-1 agonists, the class of drugs that includes Ozempic and Mounjaro. This investigation follows reports of negative psychiatric events, including suicidal ideation, associated with their use.
Expert Urges Caution in Prescribing Weight Loss Medications
According to Dr. Kenneth Blum, a psychopharmacologist and senior author of the study, the clinical community should exercise heightened caution when prescribing these medications. He emphasized the importance of preventing a potentially tragic increase in individuals suffering severe side effects during weight loss efforts.
Popularity of Weight Loss Jabs
These medications, administered via injection, assist individuals in losing weight by mimicking naturally occurring hormones. This process creates a feeling of fullness, which significantly diminishes appetite.
Concerns Regarding Side Effects
While these drugs have proven effective for weight loss, and also been shown to lower the risk of heart attacks and stroke, researchers have voiced apprehension regarding undesirable side effects, including:
- Stomach paralysis
- Dangerous inflammation of the pancreas
- Vision loss
Study Links Drugs to Mental Health Risks
A recent study found that individuals using these drugs experienced a notable increase in the risk of mental health issues:
- Nearly triple the risk of depression
- Double the risk of anxiety
- Three times the risk of suicidal behavior
These risks were compared to individuals not taking the medications. The study involved 160,000 obese participants over an eight year period.
Research Findings on Dopamine Disruption
A comprehensive analysis, involving researchers from multiple countries, indicates that extended use of these medications could interfere with dopamine signals in the brain. This interference could contribute to the development of depressive symptoms.
Role of Dopamine
Dopamine, often called the “happiness hormone,” is a neurotransmitter critical to the brain’s reward and pleasure mechanisms.
GLP-1 Agonists and Dopamine Signaling
The study, featured in the journal Current Neuropharmacology, examined the DNA of individuals with hypodopaminergia, a condition characterized by reduced dopamine activity. The study found that GLP1 receptor antagonists can disrupt dopamine levels in individuals with genes that reduce dopamine activity. This causes an imbalance that may increase the risk of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.
Call for Genetic Testing and Caution
The research team now suggests clinicians consider incorporating genetic testing to better safeguard individuals at a higher risk of developing depression while using these popular weight loss drugs.
Expert Commentary
Professor Panayotis K. Thanos of Buffalo University advocates for genetic testing to evaluate a patient’s dopamine function prior to prescribing GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Professor Igor Elman of Harvard University emphasizes the need for vigilance regarding potential harm, stating that this study aims to promote caution in the widespread prescription of these drugs.
Depression Warning on Wegovy Label
It’s important to note that Wegovy, another medication in this class, includes a depression warning on its product label.