Could Ozempic, a Diabetes medication, act as an antidepressant? New findings suggest a link

Over 800 million people worldwide live with type 2 diabetes, and studies indicate that individuals with this condition face roughly double the risk of developing depression compared to the general population.

In light of this elevated psychiatric vulnerability, attention has turned to pharmacological treatments that may influence both metabolic and mental health outcomes.

According to a new study, GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide,  a medication used for type 2 diabetes management marketed as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus,  are linked to fewer psychiatric hospital visits and lower sickness absence. 

GLP-1 refers to glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that enhances insulin secretion and regulates appetite, which may indirectly influence brain circuits implicated in mood and reward processing.

The research, funded by the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation and published in The Lancet Psychiatry, was conducted by teams at Karolinska Institutet, the University of Eastern Finland, and Griffith University, with some authors having institutional ties to pharmaceutical companies.

Methods and Findings

Researchers tracked almost 95,000 individuals through Swedish national health registers from 2009 to 2022, of whom over 22,000 had used GLP-1 medications, comparing periods of use with periods of non-use within the same individuals.

During periods of semaglutide use, hospital care and sickness absence related to depression dropped by 44 percent and anxiety by 38 percent, while overall psychiatric care decreased by 42 percent, which shows a drug-specific effect among GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Liraglutide, another GLP-1 drug, produced an 18 percent reduction in psychiatric hospital visits and absences, whereas other drugs in the class, such as exenatide and dulaglutide, did not show significant changes, but collectively the medications were associated with reduced risk of self-harm.

Lower Risk of Substance Use and Suicidality

The study also revealed a 47 percent reduction in hospital visits and sick leave related to substance use disorders among semaglutide users, which suggests that these medications may indirectly improve mental health through reducing addictive behaviors.

Professor Mark Taylor from Griffith University noted that previous register-based studies had shown GLP-1 use correlated with lower alcohol use disorder, and because alcohol problems often worsen mood and anxiety, improvements in these areas were expected.

In addition to reduced substance use, GLP-1 receptor agonists were linked to decreased suicidal behavior, which highlights potential broader benefits beyond metabolic control for patients with overlapping psychiatric and metabolic disorders.

Authors concluded that the GLP-1 receptor agonists, semaglutide and, to a lesser extent, liraglutide, may serve as dual-purpose treatments for individuals who experience both metabolic conditions and mental health concerns. These medications, commonly used for diabetes and obesity, could also help address co-occurring anxiety and depression.

Research Gaps

However, Markku Lähteenvuo, research director at University of Eastern Finland, explained that the observed mental health benefits may arise from multiple pathways. He noted that improvements in alcohol use, body image due to weight loss, and better glycaemic control may contribute, but he also emphasized the possibility of direct neurobiological effects, particularly through changes in the brain’s reward system.

Despite these promising interpretations, some experts urge restraint. David Nutt, head of the neuropsychopharmacology unit at Imperial College London and chair of Drug Science, stressed that improved mental health often follows improved physical health. 

He pointed out that the link between diabetes and depression has been recognized since the 1880s and cautioned that GLP-1 receptor agonists alone are unlikely to function as primary treatments for anxiety or depression.

Similarly, Eduard Vieta, professor of psychiatry at University of Barcelona and editor-in-chief of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology journal, highlighted that current findings support the psychiatric safety of these drugs. 

He stated, “From a clinical perspective, these findings are reassuring regarding the psychiatric safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists and suggest a potential role not only in preventing worsening but also, possibly, in improving mental health outcomes.” However, he clarified that this should not yet be interpreted as proof of a direct therapeutic effect on depression or anxiety.

Despite the strong evidence, the authors, including Professor Jari Tiihonen of Karolinska Institutet, stressed that controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm causality and clarify how these drugs specifically influence mental health.