Back in May, a study was published suggesting that popular weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy could curb alcohol cravings by as much as 70%. At the time, researchers weren’t entirely sure why the GLP-1s had such a profound effect on alcohol receptors, but that may have all changed.
How do GLP-1s work?
A new study published Wednesday in the journal Scientific Reports found that GLP-1s slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, thus minimizing its effects on the brain. It’s not entirely different from what GLP-1s do with food, which is to resemble the GLP-1 hormone and effectively slow digestion.
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As a result, researchers found, a person doesn’t feel the effects of alcohol as intensely when taken with GLP-1s. The study could open a host of possibilities for both casual drinkers and those who suffer from alcohol dependency.
Study methods
For the study, a team of researchers at Virginia Tech, led by Dr. Alex DiFeliceantonio, recruited 24 participants with obesity, half of whom take GLP-1s to manage their weight.
Over the course of an hour, each of those individuals was served three alcoholic drinks, which they were required to finish within 10 minutes. Following that, they were given a breathalyzer and asked to quantify their intoxication on a scale of 1 to 10.
What the researchers found was that those who were taking GLP-1s also reported lower levels of intoxication. Incidentally, the slower the alcohol takes over the bloodstream and brain, the easier it is for someone to manage their intake.
Helping people drink less
“People who drink know there’s a difference between nursing a glass of wine and downing a shot of whiskey,” DiFeliceantonio said, adding that while both beverages contain the same amount of alcohol, taking a shot impacts the alcohol level of a person’s bloodstream much quicker.
“Why would this matter? Faster-acting drugs have a higher abuse potential,” DiFeliceantonio said. “They have a different impact on the brain. So if GLP-1s slow alcohol entering the bloodstream, they could reduce the effects of alcohol and help people drink less.”
