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Health

What do GLP-1 drugs really tell us about the brain's reward system?

Anecdotal reports suggest drugs like Ozempic may curb not just appetite but also impulsive or addictive behaviour, hinting at links between metabolic health and our brains

By David Robson

26 March 2025

91av. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

SPL; Eyevine

“I just cannot believe how I don’t crave alcohol anymore!” writes one person. Others declare: “Took my first shot… have not had a drink or cigarette since,” and “I love coffee but I’ve noticed that I cannot finish a cup anymore.”

These quotes were all collected in a recent study led by Davide Arillotta at the University of Florence, Italy, from Reddit’s weight-loss forums. Here, you will find many people rhapsodising about the benefits of drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic. That these treatments are helping people curb their eating should be no surprise: that is exactly what they are meant…

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