GLP-1 drugs are now being tested against addiction, Alzheimer's and aging itself
Ozempic-style drugs now in trials for heart failure, addiction and even aging
A sweep of ClinicalTrials.gov finds at least 1,800 registered human trials of GLP-1 and incretin drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. Fifteen years ago roughly one in fourteen new trials targeted something other than diabetes, weight or cholesterol; today it's about one in four. The Veterans Affairs department is testing semaglutide against alcohol use disorder, Imperial College London against Alzheimer's, and a New York institute against biological aging. Most trials still fail, and the registry undercounts work outside the US.
A veteran in the government trial is not enrolled for his weight. He is there to find out whether a weekly injection can make the next drink easier to turn down, something no pill has done reliably.
- AnthonBerg
It's interesting with GLP-1 agonists that they all curb inflammation and redox stress.
–All of heart failure, addiction, and aging certainly have inflammation and redox stress as substrate.
It's interesting that GLP-1 agonists all have pulmonary effects. There's GLP-1 receptors in the lung.
(the lung is somewhat relevant in redox stress / burden / balance
as well as neuroendocrine metabolism. the lung is a metabolic organ. it metabolizes serotonin. serotonin has… many roles, anciently repurposed for a ton of things.)
It's usually the case that anything that, say, curbs addiction? will curb inflammation and redox stress, and have pulmonary effects. Exercise, for one. Psychological safety. Healthier eating. 5-HT2A agonists. NMDA antagonists. And… GLP-1 agonists.
spooky old-man-oracle voice: everything is pulmonaaaaryyyy
- potamic
Does GLP-1 help someone who eats because of boredom? My ADHD riddled brain seeks constant stimulation, so when there's nothing to do it turns to food even though there's no hunger or cravings. If I'm occupied with something, I can easily skip food and go on an extended fast, hunger suppression has never been a problem. But it's hard to stay occupied all the time, would GLP-1 help in such a case?
- deskamess
For those who may have tried other variants... is there a big difference between Ozempic/Wegovy/Mounjaro? My doctor prescribed WeGovy but my insurance does not cover it - my spouses does. However Mounjaro is covered by both insurances. Is it worth (effectiveness) switching to Mounjaro? I heard it is a 'double agonist' - what exactly does that mean?
I am also reading up on things called triple agonist but its not readily available in Canada. Web sites with a lot of discussion about peptides and titrating which seems a little difficult.
- gib444
It totally solved my food addiction. It flipped it like a switch - I knew what most people are like, where food isn't a thought every 15 minutes. What a glorious time. So much free head space
It is now firmly back, after ~6 months off the drug (due to cost) :/
I've managed to keep off the lost weight, through a lot of willpower, but winter will be a struggle I can tell.
- arjie
These drugs are a godsend for so many (me included, on retatrutide) but especially for those of us here in America - legal environment broad enough to get them, relatively wealthy enough to afford them, and notably fat enough to benefit from them. The diffusion of this technology through the US might well increase American lifespan in a notable way.
Now all we need is an easy pill that makes you hate opioids.