A recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry has found that semaglutide treatments, commonly used for weight loss, may also help reduce symptoms of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The study, conducted by researchers from The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, showed a "significant and noteworthy decrease" in the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores of six patients who were receiving semaglutide treatment. Dr. Jesse Richards, the lead study author and director of obesity medicine, explained that the inspiration for the study came from conversations with patients who reported a decrease in their alcohol intake while on semaglutide medication.

As an employee at a bariatric surgery clinic, Richards noticed that patients would often test positive for alcohol use, sometimes in concerning amounts. However, when these patients started taking semaglutide, they reported a reduction in alcohol intake. One patient, who previously consumed large amounts of alcohol, reported a newfound inability to drink more than two cans of beer because it no longer appealed to them. This observation led Richards to delve deeper into the correlation between semaglutide treatment and aversion to alcohol.

The study found that semaglutide treatments modify dopamine levels in the brain, which in turn reduces cravings and motivation for compulsive alcohol intake. Surprisingly, the same significant treatment response was observed even at very low doses of semaglutide. Richards stated that even patients on the lowest dose of a quarter milligram experienced a significant and rapid reduction in alcohol intake. This is particularly encouraging as lower doses of the medication are generally better tolerated by patients.

Despite these promising results, Richards cautioned against using semaglutide treatments specifically for alcohol use disorder due to supply and safety issues. However, he mentioned that if patients have indications for the medication related to obesity and diabetes, it may potentially be beneficial for those also struggling with alcohol intake. Richards emphasized that there are currently three FDA-approved drugs available for AUD that are underused. He also noted that ongoing research is being conducted with two trials to further explore the impact of semaglutide on AUD.

Looking ahead, Richards emphasized the need for higher-quality evidence on the medication's impact on AUD, particularly in comparison to placebo drugs or environmental factors. While it remains unclear if semaglutide medications will be marketed specifically to AUD patients in the future, Richards believes that once safety and efficacy are established, it could become an established medical practice.

Avantika Waring, Chief Medical Officer of 9amHealth and a trained physician and endocrinologist, commended the study findings for supporting what clinicians have already observed in practice. She highlighted that GLP-1 medications, like semaglutide, have various effects that are still being discovered, including the ability to decrease cravings and reward signals related to alcohol use. Waring emphasized the importance of further clinical trials to explore these benefits.

Waring cautioned against using GLP-1 medications to treat AUD specifically, as they can cause side effects such as nausea and changes in appetite. She advised individuals struggling with AUD to consult with their physicians before starting GLP-1 medications to ensure they can stay hydrated and safe during therapy. However, if ongoing clinical trials confirm the effectiveness of semaglutide treatments for AUD, Waring believes it will provide an additional tool to help those with alcohol addiction.

Fox News Digital reached out to Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of semaglutide medications, for comment on the potential link between semaglutide and AUD. The current approved treatments for AUD are underutilized, with only about 2% of people with AUD receiving them, according to the OU Health researcher. Further information can be found on www.foxnews.com/health.