Addiction – CancerObesityConnection.org

Addiction and Obesity Drugs

Papers from PubMed – February 13, 2024 – semaglutide (in title) OR tirzepatide (in title) AND addiction

Exploring semaglutide for alcohol use disorder: A review of clinical efficacy and neurobiological mechanisms October 15, 2026
CONCLUSIONS: GLP-1 receptor agonists show early promise in reducing alcohol craving and consumption, particularly in individuals with comorbid metabolic disease. No GLP-1 receptor agonist currently carries FDA approval for alcohol use disorder, and all discussed clinical applications still remain investigational. Definitive randomized trials in AUD-only populations are still needed. Current evidence remains limited by small […]
Arundhati Nittur
When weight-loss drugs reduce drinking: glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists as phenotype-enriched harm-reduction therapy for alcohol use disorder October 13, 2026
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have attracted interest as potential treatments for alcohol use disorder (AUD) after patients receiving these agents for obesity or type 2 diabetes reported a reduced desire to drink. This editorial examines whether current evidence supports their classification as broadly applicable addiction treatments or as phenotype-enriched therapies. Randomized trials evaluating […]
Sarah Singh
The dual incretin agonist tirzepatide blunts nicotine-induced behaviours and neurochemistry in male mice September 28, 2026
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Collectively, these findings indicate that tirzepatide attenuates nicotine-induced locomotor stimulation and dopamine release, as well as the expression and reinstatement of place preference, and the expression of locomotor sensitisation, in mice.
Christian E Edvardsson
Food noise: A theoretical review September 22, 2026
Food noise has emerged as a new term to describe a preoccupation with food that can be persistent, intrusive, and unwanted. The term has become popular on social media platforms like TikTok and Reddit, typically alongside discussion of the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medications (e.g., semaglutide, tirzepatide). Specifically, people report that taking […]
Fiona Wylie
(Un)intended consequences of mass-prescribing GLP-1s September 3, 2026
It is difficult to overstate how much glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) pharmacotherapies have inundated the public discourse on obesity. An avalanche of scientific papers, news articles, and social media posts debate the efficacy, affordability, and appropriateness of GLP-1 receptor agonists not just for obesity but also skin disease, erectile dysfunction, pregnancy, and addiction. Attempting to cut […]
Luc L Hagenaars
Exploring The Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and DPP4 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: A Scoping Review August 24, 2026
Background: Substance use disorders continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality. Of the drug use disorders, opioid use disorder is associated with the largest disease burden globally, however, the number of people treated with pharmacotherapy remains low. Emerging literature has highlighted incretin-based medications as potential novel treatments for opioid use disorder. This review aims to […]
Kait Baldwin
GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists' psychopharmacology and putative neuropsychiatric associated effects: a Bradford Hill-informed, systematic, evaluation August 21, 2026
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review evaluates evidence linking both GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1RAs' exposure to a range of neuropsychiatric outcomes using the Bradford Hill criteria for causal inference.
F Schifano
Evaluation of Tirzepatide as an Adjunct to Buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder (TAB) trial: study design and rationale August 14, 2026
Buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is highly effective in decreasing opioid use, risk of opioid overdose, and death, but retention is challenging. Buprenorphine does not always eliminate illicit opioid use and craving and does not treat stimulant or other substance co-use, nor common comorbid sleep problems. Tirzepatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent […]
T John Winhusen
Medication-overuse headache in migraine: could GLP-1 receptor agonists treat the addiction-like phenotype? August 7, 2026
No abstract
Lanfranco Pellesi
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Evaluating the Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Substance Use Disorders July 29, 2026
GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have shown preclinical effects on reward-seeking behavior across several substance classes, but human randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence remains limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of GLP-1RAs on substance-use outcomes in adults with substance use disorders. Electronic databases and trial registries were searched from inception to April 30, […]
Indrani Sarma
Oral Semaglutide for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial July 29, 2026
CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm previous results among non-treatment seekers with less severe AUD and suggest that continued development of semaglutide for AUD is warranted.
Joseph P Schacht
Unconventional Applications of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide: From Oncology to Human Reproduction July 28, 2026
Semaglutide and tirzepatide, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 receptor agonists, respectively, have revolutionized the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Beyond their established metabolic indications, emerging preclinical and clinical evidence suggests these incretin-based therapies exert pleiotropic effects across multiple organ systems through mechanisms extending beyond glycemic control and weight […]
Sandro La Vignera
Resolution of anhedonia-like symptoms in patients treated for obesity with tirzepatide: A three-case series July 28, 2026
CONCLUSION: This case series suggests that anhedonia-like symptoms may occur in a subset of patients receiving high-dose tirzepatide, potentially related to GLP1RA-mediated modulation of mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways. Clinicians should consider monitoring for changes in motivation and reward perception during treatment, particularly at higher doses. Dose reduction, with or without adjunctive dopaminergic therapy such as bupropion, […]
Spencer Nadolsky
Incretin-based therapies, alcohol and tobacco use, and acute substance-related events: emerging implications for cardiovascular medicine July 28, 2026
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and dual incretin agonists are now familiar drugs in obesity, diabetes, heart failure, and cardiovascular prevention. At the same time, a clinically relevant but molecule-specific human literature suggests that selected incretin-based therapies, particularly semaglutide for alcohol-related outcomes, may also modify alcohol use, tobacco use, and selected acute substance-related events. Alcohol […]
Ovidio De Filippo
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists as a Candidate Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: From Rats to Humans July 21, 2026
Despite recent progress and at least 3 medications approved for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), the number of deaths due to opioid overdose remains unacceptably high. Therefore, there is a need for new treatments. To this end, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), dual GLP-1RA+glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists (e.g., tirzepatide), and triple […]
Patricia Sue Grigson
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and All-Cause Overdose Risk in Veterans With Type 2 Diabetes and Opioid Use Disorder July 20, 2026
Objective: Overdoses remain a major public health challenge. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have been proposed as a treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) based on preclinical research. Early observational research suggests that GLP-1RAs are associated with reduced opioid overdoses but warrants replication in different patient populations.
Kevin P Kennedy
Association of GLP-1 receptor agonists with alcohol use disorder-related and substance use disorder-related hospital admissions during treatment and after discontinuation: a Swedish register-based within-individual observational study July 15, 2026
BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists might reduce substance use across different substance use disorders. However, data on substance use-related outcomes after GLP-1 discontinuation are absent. This study aimed to investigate the risk of alcohol and substance use-related hospitalisations during and after exposure to GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Patrick Bach
TAAR1 as a Potential Alternate Molecular Target to GLP-1 for Novel Anti-diabetic, Anti-obesity Medications July 10, 2026
Metabolic syndrome affects over 30% of the global population and is characterised by insulin resistance, obesity and dyslipidaemia, all of which significantly increase the development of chronic metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Over time, existing antihyperglycaemic treatments typically become ineffective due to changes in disease progression, highlighting the importance for the continued […]
Rhianna K Lenham
Pharmacological Interventions for Weight Reduction in Patients With Schizophrenia Treated With Antipsychotics: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis July 8, 2026
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This systematic review and network meta-analysis found substantial variability in weight-related outcomes across pharmacological interventions for antipsychotic-treated individuals with SSDs. Semaglutide, liraglutide, topiramate, metformin, and exenatide were associated with the greatest reductions in body weight and were supported by the highest-certainty evidence, providing guidance for clinicians managing antipsychotic-associated weight gain.
Nicolette Stogios
The neuroendocrine-appetite-mental health triangle in PMOS: Implications for GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy July 8, 2026
Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) is the most prevalent endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, yet its management remains fragmented across metabolic, reproductive, and psychological domains. This review uses a descriptive clinical framework-the "neuroendocrine-appetite-mental health triangle"-to organize existing evidence on three interacting pathogenic domains in PMOS: hypothalamic neuroendocrine dysfunction (aberrant GnRH pulsatility, central leptin […]
Wenting Xu