By Janani Sankaran, MD, MBA, FAAFP
Semaglutide continues to gain popularity, with prescriptions for weight loss steadily increasing. Discussions about its mental health effects, including the phenomenon called “Ozempic Personality,” are becoming more frequent. An international study analyzed over 45,000 social media posts to assess perceptions of the mental health impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists. The findings revealed that while many experienced significant improvements in mood associated with weight loss after starting these medications, some individuals reported mood deterioration, as well as changes in anxiety, sleep, and addictive behaviors.
Given the social and psychological challenges linked to obesity, ensuring mental health well-being is essential in treating affected individuals. Results from research on the psychiatric safety of Semaglutide injections in people without major mental health issues indicated that using the medication for obesity treatment did not increase the risk of depression or suicidal thoughts compared to a placebo. In fact, it was associated with a small but statistically significant decrease in depressive symptoms.
However, an analysis of adverse reactions from the WHO global database revealed that reports of suicidal thoughts related to Semaglutide were higher than anticipated. This underscores the urgent need for more comprehensive studies to fully understand the potential mental health risks associated with the medication. Until we have clearer insights, caution should be exercised when prescribing it.
