We all like to feel our best, and whether we're happy with how we look or stand in the mirror and endlessly stare at our bodies while wishing we were bigger or skinnier, it can be a mental health minefield. Even though beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there's a continued rise in the popularity of anti-diabetes drugs like Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy.
Although typically used to tackle type 2 diabetes, these semaglutide jabs have been used to target obesity or long-term weight management. They should be prescribed by a doctor, but with them readily available online and becoming popular among celebrities, the number of people injecting is going through the roof.
Doctors have explained the potential pros and cons of these so-called 'skinny jabs', with everything from nausea to abdominal cramping, vomiting to 'Ozempic breath'.
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Despite helping people lose weight as an appetite suppressant, Ozempic-like drugs could be having an undisclosed toll on our mental health.
Current Neuropharmacology published the peer-reviewed study that's titled (deep breath) "Silico Pharmacogenomic Assessment of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP1) Agonists and Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS) Related Pathways: Implications for Suicide Ideation and Substance Use Disorder". Researchers in the United States, Brazil, Iran, and Israel came together, suggesting that GLP-1 inhibitors can lead to those with low dopamine function (hypodopaminergia) feeling even worse. The study claims that it affects genes like DRD3, BDNF, and CREB1 that regulate your brain's reward and mood systems.
Researchers maintain that chronic use of these drugs can dysregulate your dopamine signals and lead to disturbed moods, depressive episodes, and even suicidal ideation.
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Experts have cautioned against being lured in by skinny jabs, with Dr. Kenneth Blum, a senior author on the paper and Research Professor at Western University Health Sciences and Ariel University, saying: "This study should not be ignored, despite the hype surrounding the positive clinical outcomes of GLP1 receptor agonists.
"We urge the clinical prescribing community to proceed with caution to avoid another tragic wave of 'people dying to lose weight'."
This was backed up by the university's Professor Albert Pinhasov, who warned: “While there are encouraging short-term benefits of GLP1 receptor agonists, we must acknowledge the potential risks highlighted in this study.
"These findings should encourage regulatory agencies and clinicians to investigate further, given the heterogeneity of the human population."
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For anyone who is worried about undisclosed side effects aside from the physical ones, the European Medicines Agency has instigated a review of GLP1 agonists.
Dr. Kai Uwe Lewandowski, a Professor of Surgery at the University of Arizona School of Medicine and co-author of the paper, concluded: "Depression was the most commonly reported adverse event associated with these drugs, followed by anxiety and suicidal ideation. Our findings strongly support a need for further investigation to safeguard public health."
In response to the study, a Novo Nordisk spokesperson told LADbible Group: "Patient safety is our top priority and we will continue to monitor reports of adverse drug reactions, including suicide and suicidal ideation, through routine pharmacovigilance.
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"Independent research and preliminary findings from the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), as well as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and conclusions from a European Medicines Agency (EMA) analysis did not find an association between use of GLP-1RA medicines and the occurrence of increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions.
“These findings align with data collected from our comprehensive clinical trials, including large-scale outcomes trials and observational studies.
"We welcome independent research investigating the safety, efficacy, and clinical utility of our products. We will continue to collaborate closely with the MHRA and other regulatory bodies on any analysis related to the safety of all our GLP-1RA medicines. We stand behind the safety of all of our medicines when they are used as indicated and when taken under the care of a licensed healthcare professional.
“The known risks associated with use of these medicines are reflected in their current approved product labelling.
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"We recommend that any patients experiencing side effects while taking Novo Nordisk GLP receptor agonists report them to their healthcare provider and via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/.
“Adverse events should also be reported to Novo Nordisk via the Customer Care Centre by calling 0800 023 2573."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.