Semaglutide linked to reduced bipolar hospitalizations and alcohol cravings

New research suggests that semaglutide, the active ingredient in medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy, may offer benefits beyond weight management and diabetes control.

A study led by Griffith University using 15 years of Swedish health data involving nearly 15,000 people found that semaglutide is linked to a lower risk of psychiatric hospitalization for individuals with bipolar disorder. This follows observations that people with bipolar disorder often face higher rates of obesity and diabetes.

In a separate eight-week randomized clinical trial involving 50 adults with moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder, oral semaglutide was linked to fewer heavy-drinking days and reduced everyday alcohol cravings compared to a placebo. While the medication did not significantly reduce alcohol consumption when participants were exposed to laboratory cues, researchers suggest the drug may influence the brain’s reward pathways, potentially affecting how patients resist various cravings.