Ozempic Reduces Depression and Anxiety, Major Study Shows

Swedish Study of 95,000 Patients Yields Surprising Results

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, including the globally popular semaglutide (known under the brand name Ozempic), have a significantly positive impact on mental health. This has been confirmed by a large cohort study published in March 2026 in the prestigious journal The Lancet Psychiatry.

An international team of scientists from the University of Eastern Finland, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, and Griffith University in Australia analyzed the health records of nearly 95,000 Swedes diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders between 2009 and 2022. The results are remarkable.

Depression Down 44%, Anxiety Down 38%

During periods when patients were taking semaglutide, researchers observed:

• 44% lower risk of worsening depression
• 38% lower risk of worsening anxiety disorders
• 42% decrease in psychiatric hospitalizations and sick leave
• 47% lower need for hospital care related to addictions

Liraglutide, another drug from the same class, showed similar but weaker effects — an 18% reduction in the risk of worsening mental health. Semaglutide thus proved to be the most effective GLP-1 agonist among the drugs studied.

How Does It Work? Brain Pathways and Improved Self-Image

Scientists hypothesize that the positive effects are due to a combination of direct and indirect mechanisms. Study co-author Markku Lähteenvuo pointed to possible "direct neurobiological mechanisms" affecting the brain's reward system. GLP-1 receptors are found in areas regulating emotions, impulsivity, and cravings — including the mesolimbic system and hippocampus.

Indirect factors include weight loss and the associated improved self-image, better blood sugar control, and reduced alcohol consumption. However, Professor David Nutt told the Jerusalem Post: "It is well known that better physical health leads to better mental health, but I doubt that GLP-1 agonists alone will work as a cure for depression or anxiety."

Important Limitations and Caution

The study is observational in nature — it does not prove a direct causal relationship, only a strong association. The results were most pronounced in patients who had depression or anxiety along with diabetes or obesity. Psychiatrist Riccardo De Giorgi from the University of Oxford cautioned that "evidence on the cognitive and mental effects of these drugs is still mixed."

Furthermore, clinical trials of the drugs Wegovy and Zepbound excluded patients with a psychiatric history, which limits the generalizability of the results.

What Does This Mean for Slovak Patients?

In Slovakia, thousands of patients take semaglutide to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. The new findings suggest that, in addition to metabolic benefits, these patients may also benefit from a positive impact on their mental health. However, experts warn against premature enthusiasm — the drug is not approved for the treatment of mental disorders, and any changes in medication should be discussed with a doctor.

However, the study results open the door to further research. According to the ClinicalTrials.gov database, there are 13 clinical trials underway examining semaglutide in cognitive disorders, addictions, psychoses, and depression.