GLP-1s and Your Mental Health

With 12% of U.S. adults taking a GLP-1 medication and roughly 23% of U.S. adults having a mental health condition, people are wondering: How could GLP-1 medications impact mental health?

First things first: what is a GLP-1 medication? GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. GLP-1s mimic the effects of a hormone naturally occurring in the gut. Developed as a medication for Type II diabetes, GLP-1s are also being used to treat obesity, sleep apnea, and more. The medications help to increase satiety (aka, feeling satisfied after eating), regulate blood sugar, and slow digestion.

What do you need to know about GLP-1s and mental health? According to Ilana Cohen, MD, psychiatrist at The Retreat by Sheppard Pratt, GLP-1s seem to have positive impacts on the brain. “GLP-1s appear to have anti-inflammatory properties, and inflammation plays a role with depression,” she shares. “There is also promising research related to Alzheimer’s disease and other brain conditions.”

She also notes that many of her patients who experience compulsive eating and/or have “food noise”—often described as relentless “inner thoughts” or “mental chatter” about food or eating—find relief when on a GLP-1. Says Cohen, “There’s also promising data for addiction and alcohol use, as well as other behaviors that are compulsive.”

How do GLP-1s interact with mental health medications? Cohen says this is an area where she’s starting to see some anecdotal data: “Medications that have longer half-lives, like clonazepam, may be impacted as GLP-1s can impact how the body absorbs medication.” Because GLP-1s slow digestion, food and medicine can take longer to move from the stomach to the intestines, meaning it takes longer for medication to enter your bloodstream. 

Cohen recommends partnering closely with your doctor if you’re taking a medication that has sensitive absorption or can become toxic quickly, like lithium. Staying consistent with blood tests is critical as you determine the right medication dosages, both for your GLP-1 and your mental health medication.

For some patients, GLP-1s can help mitigate the side effects of certain mental health medications. “Many of those medications are associated with weight gain. For example, aripiprazole is commonly used for schizophrenia and mood disorders, but it frequently causes weight gain. If a patient is overweight and experiencing health effects from their mental health medication, a GLP-1 can be a great add-on to manage those side effects,” says Cohen.

All in all: this is a new field and there’s lots to learn. Cohen recommends partnering with your clinician to determine what’s right for you—and to ensure you have support along the way. And don’t forget that food is fuel; make sure you’re eating enough to power your mind and body.