Text written in Basque and translated automatically by Elia without any subsequent editing. SEE ORIGINAL

Semaglutide may be helpful for those with bipolar disorder

The researchers warn that this is an observational study, so the cause-effect cannot be inferred.

GLP-1 receptor agonists may have an unexpected benefit in psychiatric pathologies, particularly semaglutide, in bipolar disorder. This is the conclusion reached at the University of Griffith (Australia), through the study of data from almost 15,000 Swedes diagnosed with bipolar disorder and diabetes.

Specifically, data from 2009-2024 were analyzed and their results published in the open journal Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica . Of the participants in the study, 5,200 people were taking a GLP-1 agonist.

“those taking Semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) had 21% fewer hospitalizations due to psychiatric problems.”

Thus, it has been observed that those taking semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) had 21% fewer hospitalizations for psychiatric problems while taking semaglutide than when not taking it. In addition, semaglutide reduced the risk of relapse with bipolar disorder by 17%.

In contrast, in those taking other GLP-1 agonists, such as liraglutide and dulaglutide, no such benefit was observed.

The researchers warn that this is an observational study, so the cause-effect cannot be inferred. Furthermore, it is not known to what extent the results would have been the same outside the Swedish health system. In any case, the research has opened a path to deepen the effect of semaglutide on psychic health.