Semaglutide, a medication commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, might also be effective in curbing alcohol dependence, according to research from the University of Gothenburg.
What the Study Reveals
The study, published in eBioMedicine, examined the effects of Semaglutide, which is sold under brand names such as Ozempic.
There have been anecdotal reports from patients treated for obesity or diabetes who noticed a reduced craving for alcohol after starting the drug.
Given the range of causes for alcohol dependence, current treatments can be hit or miss.
Patients are typically treated with a mix of psychosocial methods and one of the four approved medications. Thus, finding more effective medications is crucial.
About Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a long-lasting drug, requiring only one dose a week. It’s the first of its kind that can be taken as a tablet that acts on the GLP-1 receptor.
Findings from the Study
Alcohol-dependent rats treated with semaglutide showcased a significant decrease in their alcohol consumption.
Notably, the drug also reduced alcohol drinking related to relapses – a major concern for those recovering from alcohol dependence.
These treated rats cut their alcohol intake by about half, compared to untreated rats. The effects of the drug were uniform across both male and female rats.
However, it’s essential to understand that while these results are promising, clinical studies in humans are necessary before Semaglutide can be labeled as a treatment for alcohol dependence.
Linking Animal and Human Responses
Though animal studies don’t always directly translate to humans, the researchers are optimistic.
Previous research on alcohol dependency treatments using similar methods showcased similar effects in both rats and humans.
Elisabet Jerlhag, a professor at the University of Gothenburg, highlighted a study in which an older diabetes medication, acting on GLP-1, decreased alcohol consumption in overweight, alcohol-dependent individuals.
How Does it Work?
The study also delved into understanding why Semaglutide reduced alcohol drinking. One theory is that the drug may influence the reward pathways in the brain, specifically the nucleus accumbens, a part of the limbic system.
Alcohol naturally triggers the brain’s reward system, leading to dopamine release, a mechanism seen in both humans and animals.
Semaglutide seems to block this process in mice, which might reduce the pleasure derived from alcohol, as explained by Cajsa Aranäs, a researcher involved in the study.
Conclusion
The initial results for Semaglutide as a treatment for alcohol dependence are promising, but human clinical studies are essential to confirm its efficacy.
If effective in humans, the drug could potentially help those struggling with both obesity and alcohol dependence.
If you care about health, please read studies that people with diabetes need to prevent this dangerous liver disease and 5 big myths about liver detoxing you should know.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about oral diseases linked to a 75% increase in liver cancer risk, and results showing a new way to treat chronic liver disease.
The study was published in eBioMedicine.
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