The hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is effective in controlling insulin release and reducing appetite. It is marketed as Semaglutide, Ozempic and Wegovy as a diabetes treatment but is better known as a weight loss drug. A recent study by researchers from the University of Palermo found that Semaglutide can also be used to reduce cocaine addiction.
Semaglutide was given to a cocaine addict who was using this drug to lose weight. Researchers gave him Semaglutide and after 12 weeks a 12% weight loss was achieved. In addiction tests, the craving for cocaine was reduced by up to 59%.
GLP-1 is now a miracle drug with it also being able to reduce alcohol addiction in a study from 2023. But the long-term impact of this drug is still unknown with some of the negative impacts that have been detected including causing a risk of blindness, leaky gut and a reduction in heart muscle.