Ozempic can “potentially” change your personality and your sex life, the expert says

The diabetes drug, which has become a popular weight-loss tool, works on pleasure receptors in the brain that can affect the desire to drink alcohol or have sex.

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The same thing that makes the diabetes drug Ozempic such an effective weight loss tool can also cause it to affect someone’s libido, curb their desire for alcohol, or even change their personality.

Ozempic and other prescription drugs in its class, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, work in the brain to affect satiety. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the drug interacts with the parts of the brain that reduce appetite and signal a feeling of fullness.

But there are other parts of the brain that can be affected.

GLP-1s specifically reduce the amount of dopamine the brain releases after people engage in behaviors like drinking, smoking or even eating a sweet dessert, Dr. Steven Batash, a board-certified gastroenterologist and weight loss expert from Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss. .

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that reinforces the pleasure of doing these activities. he continues When GLP-1s take away that pleasure, they also take away the motivation to do those activities.

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Recent reports highlight the potential of GLP-1 to help alcohol addiction, but people may also see a decrease in their libido.

As Batash tells PEOPLE, studies have shown that GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide, can have an impact on men’s testosterone levels. Testosterone is a hormone that plays a crucial role in male sexual function. Reduced testosterone levels can lead to decreased libido as well as other sexual problems such as [erectile dysfunction].

But, he says, a reduced libido can be influenced by a number of factors, including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, hormonal imbalances and other health conditions, which can cause personality changes.

But there can be changes beyond libido in men and women. “Beyond regulating hunger and satiety, GLP-1 receptors are also found in areas of the brain involved in mood regulation, which can change personality,” says Batash.

Related: Costco’s $179 Weight Loss Program Can Help You Get an Ozempic Prescription

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Although personality changes associated with GLP-1 are not common side effects, Batash adds that coming off the drug is likely to bring back previous personality characteristics.

But, he says, there are potential benefits to medication when it comes to curbing addictive behaviors.

Increasing medical studies suggest that weight loss drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, can reduce addictive tendencies in users such as smoking and drinking, which can lead to personality change,” he explains. “These drugs are revealing various body responses to medications (beyond weight loss). ) and it is important to recognize the potential benefits.

Of course, it makes sense that some personality changes occur just because of the weight loss itself. “As a user loses weight, their self-esteem can increase, changing the way they interact with those around them,” says Batash.

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