Arrr, mateys! Thar be talk of a jolly good drug called Ozempic that may lift yer spirits and trim yer waistline! Aye!
2024-02-17
Avast ye scallywags! Tis been discovered that takin' Ozempic or Wegovy not only be helpful for weight loss and diabetes, but also for reducin' the blues and worries in yer noggin. So hoist the sails and set a course for a happier mood, me hearties!
In the language of a 17th-century pirate, me hearties, for those who be takin' Ozempic and Wegovy, the best-known outcome be weight loss, arrr! But a new study suggests that these medications could also help squash depression, me mateys!The investigators from Epic Research, a health analytics firm based in Verona, Wisconsin, found that patients with diabetes who were prescribed GLP-1 medications were less likely to develop depression than those who were not takin' the drugs, aye!GLP-1 medications include semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), dulaglutide (Trulicity), and exenatide (Byetta and Bydureon), me hearties!"The likelihood of anxiety in diabetic patients be lower for those on all five GLP-1 medications studied," the researchers wrote in a release on Epic’s website, arrr! For those without diabetes, semaglutide was linked to a lower likelihood of depression and anxiety, while liraglutide did not show any statistically significant benefit, aye!Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist, be not surprised by these findings, me mateys! Weight loss often leads to a boost in mood and overall outlook, ye see. "Losing weight can significantly impact an individual's self-esteem and overall mood, leading to a more positive outlook on life," the doctor said.Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois, PharmD, a health expert with SingleCare, said that while GLP-1 medications may impact mood via brain changes, the likelier reason for the reduced depression and anxiety be the positive mental and physical health effects of weight loss, arrr!Weight loss induced by GLP-1 medications triggers biological changes that positively impact mood regulation, Bourgeois said. "Individuals who achieve weight loss through GLP-1 receptor agonists may experience a sense of accomplishment and empowerment, which can positively influence their mental health," she said.There may also be a "trickle-down" effect, with weight loss often leading people to adopt healthier lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise and improved dietary choices. "These lifestyle changes can have profound effects on mental health," she said.While the Epic data be "promising," more research be needed to determine if the medication itself be responsible for the reduction in depression and anxiety diagnoses, arrr! "I’m not saying that Ozempic will become a first-line treatment for depression, but it certainly highlights the interconnectedness of physical and mental health," Osborn added, me hearties!For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.