Addiction – CancerObesityConnection.org

Addiction and Obesity Drugs

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

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
The Effect of Semaglutide on Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain and Other Metabolic Parameters, among a Cohort of Inpatients June 15, 2026
CONCLUSION: This retrospective chart review of inpatients with SMI supports efficacy and safety of semaglutide up to a year of follow-up, warranting future adequately powered randomized controlled trials.
Riddhita De
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide, attenuates intravenous self-administration of fentanyl in female rats June 4, 2026
Current treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) have major barriers to access. As such, researching new potential therapies for OUD is important to public health. Previous research has implicated glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in decreasing the use of addictive substances by animals. In this study, female Wistar rats (N=32) were surgically implanted with jugular […]
Kaitlyn E Rojas
Acute glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide, attenuates cue-, drug-, and stress-induced fentanyl seeking in male Sprague-Dawley rats June 2, 2026
Opioid overdose deaths continue to be a significant public health problem worldwide, with fentanyl, the primary driver of these losses of life. Indeed, in the USA, overdose deaths continue despite the availability of three food and drug administration-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) due to minimal access to these medications and […]
Brianna Evans
GLP-1 RAs in Substance Use Disorders: Emerging Evidence and Future Directions June 1, 2026
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are the leading causes of both global mortality and morbidity, and alcohol, nicotine, and opioids account for most of this burden. Existing pharmacotherapies are only moderately effective, have inconsistent compliance and regular relapse, and therefore, new treatment modalities are required. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), which have been licensed to treat […]
Jason Macanian
Searching for New Pharmacological Treatments of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD): Focus on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists May 27, 2026
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains a crucial public health challenge worldwide. The currently available medications for AUD remain limited in the number and efficacy, meaning that the development of new treatments is of critical importance. Agonists of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1RAs) have recently received attention as a potential anti-addiction treatment, particularly in AUD. This review […]
Jolanta B Zawilska
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Daily Cigarette Use: A Randomized Clinical Trial May 26, 2026
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this phase 2a randomized clinical trial, semaglutide monotherapy did not significantly increase laboratory smoking resistance or reduce weekly cigarettes per day but reduced nicotine craving and body weight. Larger trials should evaluate effects of GLP-1RA therapies on cessation, postcessation weight gain, and cardiometabolic outcomes in people who smoke.
Christian S Hendershot
The safety and efficacy of semaglutide in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials May 25, 2026
CONCLUSIONS: Semaglutide produces clinically meaningful improvements in weight and glycaemic outcomes in people with SSDs, with an adverse event profile consistent with known gastrointestinal effects of GLP-1 RAs in the general population. These findings support semaglutide as a promising adjunctive metabolic intervention in this population, although larger and longer trials, specifically those testing tirzepatide, are […]
Mike Trott
Repurposing semaglutide as an adjunctive treatment for cocaine use disorder: protocol for a randomised controlled trial May 20, 2026
INTRODUCTION: Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a significant public health concern in the USA, with considerable prevalence and mortality and no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved pharmacotherapies. Recent advances in addiction science emphasise the need for novel, mechanism-based treatments. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, have shown promise in modulating reward-related behaviours and may […]
Luba Yammine
Therapeutic Potential of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Smoking Cessation April 12, 2026
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies are under investigation for a growing number of neuropsychiatric conditions, including substance use disorders. Cigarette smoking accounts for the largest proportion of substance use-related morbidity and mortality, in part reflecting increased risk for cardiometabolic disease among people who smoke. Given modest quit rates with approved smoking cessation therapies, medications with novel […]
Christian S Hendershot
Semaglutide and Alcohol use Disorder: Breaking Free of Addiction? April 6, 2026
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronically relapsing disorder characterized by a compulsive alcohol drinking pattern, loss of control over intake, and the emergence of negative emotional states promoting alcohol dependence. It is unquestionably a major public health issue worldwide and a highly stigmatized condition. Unfortunately, AUD remains untreated in a significant number of adults. […]
Georgios S Papaetis
A Rare Case of Semaglutide-Associated Small Bowel Obstruction Complicated by Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Dialysis March 31, 2026
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are widely used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and obesity. They have proven to be cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and renoprotective, and are now also being considered for drug addiction. There has been increasing demand for these medications over the last several years, with the most common side effects being nausea, […]
Suhasini Rallabandi
The Role of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Prompting a Meaningful Improvement in Alcohol Use Disorder March 31, 2026
Emerging research suggests a potential role for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) in alcohol use disorder (AUD), because GLP-1 receptors are present in the brain regions involved in dopamine signaling and the human reward system. We present the case of a man prescribed GLP-1 RAs for obesity who had concomitant AUD. A 34-year-old man […]
Alyx Meilinger
Effectiveness of a Psychiatrist-Led Clinic for Metabolic Health in Severe Mental Illness: A Retrospective Chart Review Study March 28, 2026
CONCLUSIONS: This large naturalistic retrospective cohort study suggests that psychiatrist-led care for metabolic dysfunction in mental illness is effective in reducing psychotropic-induced weight gain. This approach may streamline the implementation of monitoring strategies and interventions in a systematic manner.
Nicolette Stogios
Tirzepatide attenuates mesolimbic cocaine-evoked dopamine levels and reduces cocaine taking, motivation and seeking behaviours in male rodents March 24, 2026
BACKGROUND: Cocaine use disorder (CUD) remains among the most treatment-resistant addictions, characterised by high relapse rates even following extended abstinence periods. Dopamine signalling in mesocorticolimbic circuits contributes to cocaine's reinforcing effects and remains an important target for therapeutic intervention. Growing evidence suggests appetite-regulating peptides may influence central dopamine transmission. Whether recently approved incretin polyagonists can […]
Christian E Edvardsson
Effect of Glucagon-Like-Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RA) on Neuropsychiatric Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis March 20, 2026
PURPOSE: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is associated with an increased burden of neuropsychiatric disorders, including cognitive decline, affective disorders, and substance use disorders. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), developed for glycemic control and weight reduction, have been hypothesized to confer neuroprotective and psychotropic benefits via central and peripheral mechanisms. However, evidence across individual […]
Ishraq Choudhury
Real-World Alcohol Use Disorder Outcomes in Patients With Concurrent Metabolic Dysfunction: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Versus FDA-Approved AUD Medications March 11, 2026
CONCLUSIONS: GLP-1RAs are a promising option for patients with concurrent MetD and AUD, improving relapse rates and metabolic outcomes compared with currently FDA-approved pharmacotherapies for AUD. Trends toward better liver outcomes support further prospective evaluation.
Amir Gougol