In a recent post on AddictionNews, we asked, “Is Ozempic the death of desire?” The GLP-1 receptor agonist reduces the appetite, not only for food, but for all sorts of indulgences and pleasures — shopping, gambling, and binge drinking, included. We wondered, does that extend to the sex drive, as well? Let’s look at the research about what GLP-1 drugs do to the libido.

Earlier this year, a team of researchers from Italy and the U.K. published findings on how GLP-1 impacts compulsive behavior, substance abuse, and sex drive. The researchers used the unique approach of combing through more than three years of postings on the social media platform, Reddit. Using artificial intelligence (AI), the researchers estimated the percentage of GLP-1 users who clearly stated a suppression of these behaviors:

• 29.75% of alcohol-related 
• 23.08% of nicotine-related
• 22.22% of caffeine-related 
• 21.35% of compulsive shopping-related

The researchers found mixed results or inconclusive results for cannabis use and cocaine use. What about sex drive? “[T]he sexual drive/libido elements reportedly increased in several users.” That seems like a very small, counterintuitive result. It might indicate that Reddit users are reluctant to publicly discuss the impact of GLP-1 drugs on their sex lives.

One reason researchers found for some users reporting an increase in sex drive is that losing weight made them feel sexy: “a weight loss-related positive effect on perceived body image.” The authors note that GLP-1 drugs have been shown to decrease sexual activity in mice, while in humans it has been associated with increased fertility. The authors note, “long-acting GLP-1 RAs may present the potential to boost erectile function in males with type 2 diabetes.”

A review of GLP-1 drugs and male reproductive health conducted by Italian and American researchers made some fascinating observations. First, “GLP-1 receptors have been identified within the male reproductive system.” Previously identified in the brain and in the gut, they’re now shown to be present in the male reproductive system. The researchers summarize:

[W]eight loss associated with GLP-1 RAs is correlated with improvements in sperm count, concentration, and motility. However, the direct impact of GLP-1 RAs on male reproductive hormones remains unclear, necessitating further research to confirm their potential role in treating male infertility.

Once again, the connection between weight loss and improved male reproductive health is demonstrated, but the connection between GLP-1 drugs and male reproductive health is unclear. As to whether GLP-1 drugs enhance or retard the sex drive in normal-weight individuals, we go back to a study on rats. Using sexually naive male mice exposed to a sexual interaction test, researchers found that “GLP-1R activation reduces sexual interaction behaviors in a brain site-specific manner.”

The phrase “site-specific manner” refers to the location of the injection of exendin-4, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, into four areas associated with the brain’s reward system. Those are the laterodorsal tegmental area (LDTg), the posterior ventral tegmental area (pVTA), the anterior ventral tegmental area (aVTA), and the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell. The results showed:

• LDTg — decreased pre-sexual interaction behaviors and sexual interaction behaviors, but not self-grooming behaviors

• pVTA — decreased pre-sexual interaction behaviors and sexual interaction behaviors, but not self-grooming behaviors

• aVTA — did not alter any behaviors in the sexual interaction chain

• NAc — decreased pre-sexual interaction behaviors but not sexual interaction or self-grooming behaviors

We are left again at the disappointing crossroads of science where we need more research to make firm conclusions. We have the research to show that GLP-1 drugs induce substantial weight loss, improving the body image of overweight individuals. We have research that shows that weight loss for obese people improves their reproductive health. But we also have research that GLP-1 drugs for normal-weight rats dull the sex drive. We look forward to bringing you new research on the subject as it gets published.

Written by Steve O’Keefe. First published August 26, 2024.

Sources:

“Exploring the Potential Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Substance Use, Compulsive Behavior, and Libido: Insights from Social Media Using a Mixed-Methods Approach,” Brain Sciences, June 20, 2024.

“Impact of GLP-1 Agonists on Male Reproductive Health — A Narrative Review,” Medicina, December 27, 2023.

“The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, exendin-4, reduces sexual interaction behaviors in a brain site-specific manner in sexually naïve male mice,” Hormones and Behavior, August 2020.

Image Copyright: iakovenko.