How Weight Loss Drugs May Postively Affect Mental Health

Aussie actress Rebel Wilson used Ozempic® in her weight loss journey.

Popstar Meghan Trainor told People magazine she used Mounjaro® along with exercise and a dietitian to help her lose weight.

The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has also told the world on his social media platform X that he has used Wegovy®.

These drugs belong to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

What are GLP-1 receptor agonists?

Melbourne bariatric and laparoscopic surgeon Dr Jason Winnett says, ‘GLP-1 agonists mimic the body’s natural hormone GLP-1, which is normally released after eating, and reduces appetite and helps regulate blood sugar. And while the metabolic benefits are well known, there are now new reports that GLP-1 agonists may have mood benefits as well.’

More than metabolism – could weight loss drugs boost mood too?

A study reported in Medical News Today1, involving over three million individuals with diabetes, found that people taking semaglutide (a GLP-1 drug) were 45% less likely to be diagnosed with depression and 44% less likely to have anxiety compared to participants not taking the drug. For tirzepatide, another weight loss drug, the reduced risk of depression was 65%.

Dr Winnett says other studies in the peer-reviewed medical journal Nature Medicine2 found that semaglutide also reduces the risk of addiction disorders (alcohol and tobacco), psychological disorders, epileptic seizures, and neurocognitive disorders (including Alzheimer’s disease).

The reason is that semaglutide may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help reduce neuroinflammation.3

According to this research, obesity and depression are both caused by chronic inflammation. It found that adipose tissue contains a variety of immune cells, which produce signalling proteins related to inflammation.

Another study found depressed patients often have higher levels of cytokines in their bodies4, which may in turn increase obesity and a range of other inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, asthma and cancer. Inflammation is also thought to be involved in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Past controversies, present confidence

GLP-1 medications have had a chequered past when it comes to mood.

In 2023, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and British regulators5 launched an investigation into Semaglutide because some patients reported ‘mood swings and suicidal thoughts’.

However, in a preliminary conclusion released in 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 6 stated that ‘there is currently no evidence of a direct relationship between semaglutide and suicidal thoughts or behaviours.’

Another vindicating study, published in JAMA Psychiatry7 in May 2025 and involving 107,000 participants, found that compared with placebo, treatment with GLP-1 medications was not associated with increased risk of psychiatric adverse events.

The study states: ‘Furthermore, GLP-1 RA treatment was associated with improvements in both physical and mental health–related quality of life, as well as reduced emotional eating behaviours and increased eating restraint.’

Are there risks or side effects associated with weight loss medications?

Dr Winnett says that whilst the medications have changed lives for many of his patients, they are not ‘a magic carpet ride’.

‘Rare side effects include gastroparesis which can cause paralysis, usually temporary, but has resulted in 1800 lawsuits in the US as of May 2025.

‘More common side effects include putting on weight again after stopping the medication – and for people with severe obesity, surgery may be a less expensive and more viable option in the long run.’

“Although several large studies to date show that there is no significant mood link between Ozempic and depression, there have been some smaller clinical reports of mood improvement in patients with previous depression where mood improved when they ceased Semaglutide. So if patients notice ANY significant side effects including mood changes, they should be sure to tell their doctor promptly.”

Dr Winnett advises that any side effects must also be carefully considered and weighed up against the ‘side effects’ of not taking medications.

‘What people with obesity need to ask themselves is, what are the risks of not taking medications, or not having the surgery?’ Dr Winnett says. ‘Obesity has very clear links with cancer and sleep apnoea, and increases the risk of arthritis. After surgery, many of these risks drop significantly and Type II diabetes resolves permanently in most cases.’

The future of obesity treatment – the mind-body link

As science continues to uncover the surprising ripple effects of GLP-1 medications, these discoveries challenge us to rethink how we approach obesity. The future of treatment may not lie in choosing between body and mind, but in recognising that healing one often means healing both.

If you’re struggling with obesity or related health concerns, speak to your GP or book an appointment with us to discuss the full spectrum of treatment options, including emerging medications and surgical solutions.

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