Can Mounjaro help with other addictive behaviours?
Research suggests that Mounjaro, like other GLP-1 receptor agonists, may help reduce cravings and consumption across multiple addictive behaviours beyond just food and weight management. Animal studies have demonstrated that these medications can reduce voluntary consumption of alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, and opioids by affecting dopamine signalling in the brain's reward centres. However, human clinical trials specifically testing Mounjaro for addiction treatment remain limited, and most evidence comes from animal research or anecdotal reports rather than large-scale human studies.
Key points:
- GLP-1 receptor agonists like Mounjaro work on brain regions linked to both appetite and addiction reward pathways, suggesting a shared mechanism.
- Animal studies show reduced consumption of alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, and opioids when treated with these medications, likely through effects on dopamine signalling.
- A clinical trial found that GLP-1 receptor agonists significantly reduced heavy drinking days and alcohol intake in obese patients, though results were mixed in the general population.
- Further human research is needed to establish safety and effectiveness for treating addictive behaviours beyond weight management.
This text has been fact-checked for accuracy by Sorin Romaniuc, Pharmacist at medino.