(NewsNation) — While many people turn to the diabetes drug Ozempic to lose weight, some also report that it has helped curb addiction.
Neurologist Dr. Thomas Pitts explains that this may be due to the effects of drugs on the brain. Ozempic acts on specific receptors in the brain to create a feeling of well-being.
“So it makes you feel full even when you’re not eating. It makes you feel like you’re smoking when you’re not smoking,” Pitts said. “Basically, it makes you feel full without eating.
Pitts cautioned that while Ozempic may trick the brain into thinking it’s satisfied, that doesn’t necessarily mean the drug will cure addiction. Like other drugs, it may only work while someone is taking it. Stopping may cause the addiction to relapse.
“These are excellent bridging therapies and may qualify for lifelong treatment for certain individuals,” Pitts said.
Addiction is a complex condition with many variables, Pitts warned, and Ozempic is probably just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to treatment.
