GLP-1s Like Ozempic, Wegovy Linked to Surprising Drop in Violent Behavior

GLP-1s may help reduce impulsivity, alcohol intake, and violent behaviors in adults. Image Credit: munro/gettyimages. A recent study found that GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy may help lower impulsive and violent behaviors. The researchers noted that higher impulsivity and alcohol use were significantly associated with violent behavior overall, but were weaker among those using GLP-1s. The findings suggest additional mental health benefits of GLP-1 drugs beyond alcohol use and addiction. GLP-1 medications have been shown to have many benefits in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes. This class of drugs has also been found to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. There are psychological benefits as well, such as reduced “food noise” and cravings for alcohol and other substances. Now, a new study found that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may also help reduce violent behavior among adults. The researchers found that higher levels of alcohol use and impulsivity were associated with violent behavior overall. However, the behaviors were weaker among GLP-1 users. The results were published on June 17 in Criminology. Lead study author Daniel Semenza, PhD, director of research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and an associate professor at Rutgers University, explained that the study was not designed to identify the biological mechanisms driving the relationship between GLP-1 use and violent behavior. “We can’t say with certainty why these associations emerged in this paper,” Semenza told Healthline. “However, growing research suggests that GLP-1 medications may influence things like reward processing and impulse control. One interpretation is that GLP-1 medications may weaken the extent to which established risk factors like impulsivity translate into harmful behavior. However, this is a hypothesis that requires further investigation,” he said. GLP-1s may reduce impulsivity, violent behav