There has long been speculation that since GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro appear to reduce interest in eating, drinking, drugs, shopping, pornography, gambling, and other addictions, they might cause people to lose interest in everything.

In other words, are people taking GLP-1 drugs less interested in life, less able to enjoy life, and more prone to depression? A new study out of the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, finds quite the opposite. People taking GLP-1 drugs tracked over a 13-year period showed markedly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The study followed 100,000 Swedes diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety disorders. Of those, 20,000 were taking GLP-1 drugs. Those taking the GLP-1 drugs had a 42% reduced use of psychiatric-related care. The risk of requiring hospital care or work leave longer than 14 days was 44% lower for people suffering from depression, according to researchers from Sweden, Finland, and Australia. And the risk of requiring hospital care or a long work leave for those suffering from anxiety disorder was 38% less for the GLP-1 group.

The study also found “a notable decrease in substance use disorders among semaglutide users.” This corroborates the findings in a recent Veterans Administration study that found significantly fewer problems with substance use disorders (SUDs) for people taking GLP-1 drugs for type 2 diabetes. That study found people taking GLP-1 drugs had 31% fewer SUD-related emergency room visits. The Swedish study found 47% less hospital use for SUDs. Both studies found reduced rates of suicide attempts among the GLP-1 group.

Unfortunately, the researchers say, “we cannot determine exactly why or how these medications affect mood symptoms, but the association was quite strong.” For example, they are not sure whether the improved mood has something to do with the gut microbiome, the brain’s reward system, or both.

Reporting on the breakthrough study, Business Insider noted that, “Diabetes and obesity are associated with an increased risk of mental health symptoms, and similarly, individuals with mental disorders have an elevated risk of metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.” So there is already some correlation between mental health and being overweight.

The study leaves little doubt that taking GLP-1 drugs — in particular, they say, semaglutide — results in far less absenteeism and hospital visits related to mental health issues. The researchers caution, however:

[O]ur study does not provide evidence that weight loss directly caused improved mental health, and the relationship between the medications, weight loss, and mental health is likely to be complex.

Complex, indeed! Research into the impact of GLP-1 drugs on sex drive found mixed results. While the drugs appear to reduce interest in consuming pornography, they have been found to increase sexual engagement, attributed to the improved body image from losing weight.

It appears that overweight and mental health are interconnected; improving one improves the other. What about those who are not overweight or diabetic? Would GLP-1 drugs also improve their mood? Can the drug be formulated to not cause weight loss for people who should not be losing weight? We will watch for follow-ups on this encouraging story out of Sweden.

Written by Steve O’Keefe. First published March 26, 2026.

Sources:

“Association between GLP-1 receptor agonist use and worsening mental illness in people with depression and anxiety in Sweden: a national cohort study,” The Lancet Psychiatry, April 2026.

“Weight loss drug Ozempic cuts depression, anxiety, and addiction risk,” Science Daily, March 22, 2026.

“GLP-1 medications used to treat diabetes and obesity may also help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression,” Business Insider, March 19, 2026.

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