Feeling Down About Your Weight — or the Weight Loss Drug?

GLP-1 Medications & Mental Health

If you’ve been thinking about starting a weight loss medication like Ozempic or Wegovy, you’re not alone. These drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have helped many people lose weight and improve blood sugar control.

But as more people use them, some are noticing unexpected emotional side effects, including low mood, anxiety, or even thoughts of self-harm. The FDA has taken notice and is now monitoring reports of depression and suicidal thinking connected to these medications.

So, what’s going on here?

The Brain on GLP-1

Here’s the interesting part: your brain actually has GLP-1 receptors. They are tiny switches that influence mood-related chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. Research from the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry suggests these receptors may support healthy brain function by reducing inflammation and even helping with new brain cell growth. In some people, that might mean an improvement in mood.

But for others, especially those losing weight very quickly, the hormonal shifts can create emotional turbulence. When your body’s chemistry changes fast, stress hormones like cortisol can spike — and that can leave you feeling irritable, anxious, or sad.

Why the Reactions Differ So Much

The truth is there’s no one-size-fits-all reaction to these weight loss drugs.

Some people with depression or OCD actually report feeling better on GLP-1 medications. Others say they feel emotionally flat, disconnected, or more anxious — what some online are calling “Ozempic personality.”

It’s possible that individual factors like your mental health history, stress level, and expectations all play a role. What helps one person may not help another.

A Surprising Connection to Addiction

There’s also growing evidence that GLP-1 drugs might reduce cravings — not just for food, but for alcohol or other addictive substances. Scientists believe this is tied to how the medication affects dopamine, the brain’s “reward” chemical. Early studies show promising results, but this research is still new. But as a group practice that works with people addicted to alcohol and other drugs, this sounds intriguing!

GLP-1 Reactions: What You Can Do

If you’re using or considering a GLP-1 medication, don’t panic — but do pay attention. Notice how your mood changes. Track your sleep, energy, and emotions. Talk with your doctor or therapist if you start feeling off.

These medications can be powerful tools for managing weight and even improving some aspects of mental health. But GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic can also affect brain chemistry, which means emotional side effects are possible.

The bottom line: your mental health matters just as much as the number on the scale. Before and during treatment, stay in close contact with your healthcare providers — and don’t ignore how you feel along the way.

woman tracking exercise and mood in diet journal