The Surprising Side Effects of Popular Weight Loss Drugs Explained

Risk factors for depression included loneliness, chronic pain and being female.

New research reveals that some weight loss medications might have unexpected behavioural side effects, but the reasons behind these effects are not fully understood.

Published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, the study looked at glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1RA)—drugs commonly used for type 2 diabetes and obesity. These medications mimic the GLP-1 hormone, which helps control insulin and blood glucose levels while promoting feelings of fullness.

The researchers examined genetic data from diverse populations to see how variants in the GLP1R gene might explain these side effects. The study involved over 400,000 individuals from various ethnic backgrounds and found that GLP1R gene variants were linked with both cardiometabolic traits (like blood pressure and type 2 diabetes) and behavioral traits (such as risk-taking behavior and mood instability).

Interestingly, the genetic variants influencing cardiometabolic traits were different from those affecting behavioral changes, suggesting that the side effects are likely indirect.

Although it’s not possible to directly compare these genetic findings to the effects of a drug, the study provides new insights into the complex mechanisms behind the unexpected side effects of GLP1RAs. Understanding these factors could help guide safer use of these popular weight loss drugs in the future.

Are you curious about how these findings could impact weight loss treatments? Dive into the full study to uncover more! 🚀