Islamabad (Health Desk)A new international study has suggested that certain medications used for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity may also have positive effects on mental health.
According to the research, drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which belong to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, may help reduce the risk of psychiatric conditions like depression and anxiety.
Researchers from University of Eastern Finland, Karolinska Institute, and Griffith University jointly analyzed Sweden’s national health records. The study reviewed data from nearly 100,000 individuals, including more than 20,000 people who used these medications between 2009 and 2022.
The results showed that while patients were using semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy), psychiatric hospital admissions and medical leave rates dropped by up to 42%. Similarly, depression risk decreased by 44% and anxiety disorders by 38%.
Experts noted that obesity and diabetes are often linked with mental health conditions, so improved treatment of physical illnesses may also positively influence psychological well-being. However, they emphasized that further research is needed to fully understand these effects.