In recent years, names like Ozempic And Wegovy They have become as familiar as “diet” or “gym”. Born as treatments for type 2 diabetes, these drugs have become famous today for another reason: they lose weight. And so much. To the point of being nicknamed “miraculous drugs” by millions of people in the world.
But behind their success, a much more complex truth is hidden. A truth that concerns not only the weight lossbut also the HeartThe brainand even ours mental health. A new study on over two million patients has just revealed all the benefits and possible side effects of these medicines. And the results make you think.
As the GLP-1 act all over the body
To lead this in -depth investigation was a team of scientists of the Washington University and the health system for veterans of the United States. Analyzed the data of More than 215,000 people who started using GLP-1 drugs (such as Ozempic and Wegovy) between 2017 and 2023, comparing them with beyond one million patients that followed different therapies.
The researchers mapped Ben 175 different effects on all the main organs of the body. And what emerged is surprising: compared to traditional therapies, those who take GLP-1 drugs have a lower risk to develop well 42 different diseasesincluding:
Yes, you read well. These drugs seem protect the brainreduce the risk of Neurodegenerative diseases and even calm the desire for substances as drugs and alcohol. According to the authors, all this could be due to the fact that the GLP-1 act on receptors present in the brain and throughout the body.
Nausea, pancreatitis and vision problems between the side effects already reported
Obviously, there is no miraculous drug without risk. And this study, published on Nature Medicineclearly says it: there are at least 19 conditions that result more frequent in patients taking these drugs. Some even serious.
Among the most common side effects:
One of the most worrying risks is the acute pancreatitiswhich can also be fatal. The danger, according to the data collected, is more than doubled Compared to patients who do not use GLP-1. In Great Britain, at least ten deaths have already been connected to this side effect.
In addition, a recent study showed a risk four times higher to develop Naiona rare disease of the optical nerve that can lead to blindness.
There is another important detail to underline. This study is based on data from American veterans, a compound population almost exclusively by men. Only the 5% of patients examined is a woman. And this, as the neuroendocrinologist explained Karolina Skibickait is a serious limit: “women respond differently to drugs, but often they are not very represented in clinical studies.”
In addition, today the GLP-1 are used more and more often for obesitynot only for diabetes. But the dosages are different, and the duration of the treatment can also vary. According to experts, they need More searches about those who take these drugs just to lose weight.
The message, however, is not to stop using them, but to do it consciously, below careful medical supervisionand with a real assessment of the relationship between benefits and risks.
Not just to lose weight
The researchers are cautiously optimistic: the results of this study could open the way to New therapeutic applications. According to the collected data, GLP-1 drugs could also be useful in the processing of:
Animal studies show that these drugs reduce brain inflammation and influence i mechanisms of the rewardthat is, the same areas that are involved in addictions. Data on humans also begin to confirm these hypotheses.
Today, 1 adult out of 8 in the United States He has already used a GLP-1 drug at least once. And the request continues to grow. If well studied and used carefully, they could really become one of the most revolutionary discoveries of modern medicine.
