About

GLP-1 is a hormone in your gut that helps control blood sugar and appetite after you eat. Drugs like semaglutide mimic GLP-1's effects and are used to treat diabetes and obesity. Semaglutide, in particular, is a synthetic version of GLP-1 that helps lower blood sugar and weight. It's available as a weekly injection and has shown to be beneficial for heart health in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Because it's small and potent, researchers are exploring ways to make it available as a pill. Furthermore, it has exhibited positive effects on cardiovascular outcomes among patients diagnosed with T2D.

Semaglutide, initially authorized as a subcutaneous injection to be administered once a week, was deemed a suitable peptide candidate for oral administration due to its low molecular weight, extended half-life, and remarkable potency(1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Semaglutide shows promise as a potential alcohol use disorder medication

Go to source).

Approval in the US

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) were initially launched in the US in 2005 for managing type 2 diabetes (T2D).

A few brands of GLP-1RAs that have been granted approval by the US FDA(2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Update on FDA's ongoing evaluation of reports of suicidal thoughts or actions in patients taking a certain type of medicines approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity

Go to source) and their date of approval:

Ozempic brand (semaglutide injection) on December 5, 2017
Rybelsus brand (semaglutide oral tablets) on September 20, 2019
Mounjaro brand (tirzepatide injection) on May 13, 2022

Approval in India

In India, the oral dosage form of semaglutide was approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) in 2020, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The Danish pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk, has introduced it in India.

What is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

While alcohol may induce temporary feelings of happiness, pleasure, and sociability, prolonged or excessive consumption can result in alcohol dependence or addiction, which is officially recognized as an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

It is a condition that has the potential to cause harm to both the body and mind. It is a persistent and recurring condition that ranks among the primary contributors to avoidable fatalities on a global scale. In spite of the significant health risks and loss of life associated with AUD, the availability of approved and effective pharmacotherapies remains limited, and their utilization is not widespread. Consequently, it is imperative to urgently discover and create new medications to address the pressing demand for treating AUD(3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue semaglutide reduces alcohol drinking and modulates central GABA neurotransmission

Go to source).

Effects of Semaglutide on Alcohol Intake

Semaglutide has demonstrated its efficacy in reducing alcohol consumption, preventing relapse-like drinking during alcohol withdrawal, and moderating alcohol-related reward responses. By targeting the brain's reward system, specifically the nucleus accumbens area, this medication has the potential to diminish the alcohol-induced reward and thus treat alcohol dependence(4^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Alcohol

Go to source).

In some studies, it was indicated that this drug significantly decreased alcohol intake in rats by more than 50%(5^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Alcohol drinking cut in half with diabetes medication

Go to source).

Experts suggest that the effect of Semaglutide on dopamine levels could have contributed to its potential benefits. Dopamine, often referred to as the "pleasure" hormone, plays a role in enhancing the pleasurable sensations associated with alcohol consumption. However, more data needs to be generated to prove the efficacy of this drug to treat AUD period.

Benefits of Semaglutide for Alcoholics

Patients with AUD often struggle to refrain from consuming alcohol, even when attempting to stay sober, which is a key aspect of the diagnosis and is characterized by a strong desire for alcohol.

Semaglutide may offer a viable treatment alternative for individuals suffering from alcohol use disorders.

Side Effects of Semaglutide

The common side effects of Semaglutide include(6^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Semaglutide (Oral Route)

Go to source):

Stomach pain, Loss of appetite, Bloating
Nausea, Vomiting
Drop in blood sugar
Fatigue, Headache, Dizziness
Constipation, Diarrhea
Seizures, Nervousness, Depression

Furthermore, recent studies have highlighted certain risks associated with GLP-1 RA medications, including the potential to induce depression and suicidal ideation. However, these are very preliminary observations, further research is needed to understand this critical side effect.

Neuroscience for Kids - (http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/words.html)
What the Stroop Effect Reveals About Our Minds - (https://lesley.edu/article/what-the-stroop-effect-reveals-about-our-minds)
The Emotional Stroop Effect Is Modulated by the Biological Salience and Motivational Intensity Inherent in Stimuli - (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.03023/full)
Numerical stroop effect - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15058867/)
The Emotional Stroop Task: Assessing Cognitive Performance under Exposure to Emotional Content - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4993290/)
The Stroop Effect - (https://www.simplypsychology.org/stroop-effect.html)
Ask an Expert: How does Stroop Effect apply to real life situations? - (https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/ask-an-expert/viewtopic.php?t=6139)
Stroop Effect - (https://conductscience.com/portfolio/stroop-effect/#:~:text=Stroop%20effect%20has%20many%20practical,bipolar%20disorder%2C%20or%20major%20depression.)
Stroop Test - (https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/stroop-test)
Clinical Application of the Modified Stroop Test to Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/47792734_Clinical_Application_of_the_Modified_Stroop_Test_to_Children_with_Attention_DeficitHyperactivity_Disorder)