[Sportschosun, Jang Jong-ho] A study has found that so-called "weight-loss injections," including Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro, may also reduce violent behavior.
In a recent study published in the international journal Criminology, researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey said GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro may weaken the process by which impulsivity and drinking lead to violent behavior.
The team analyzed survey data from 7,521 adults in the United States and compared people currently taking GLP-1 drugs with those who had used them in the past. The results confirmed a general trend: higher impulsivity and heavier drinking were linked to a greater likelihood of violent behavior. But among current GLP-1 users, that connection was significantly weaker.
In particular, among current users, the link between impulsivity and violent behavior fell by about 62%, while the association between drinking and violent behavior dropped by about 52%. The researchers explained, "The drug is more likely suppressing the process that turns impulses into actual behavior, rather than directly eliminating a person's aggression."
The researchers said the effect appears to be related to the brain's reward system. GLP-1 drugs are known to regulate dopamine release and reward responses, and they have also been reported to reduce addictive behaviors such as strong food cravings, alcohol use, nicotine use and gambling.
They also said the drugs may affect the hypothalamus, which helps regulate stress responses, lowering the chance of aggressive reactions in highly tense situations. Among patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), there have also been reports of improved concentration and greater self-control after taking GLP-1 drugs.
However, the researchers noted that this was an observational study based on data collected at a single point in time, so it cannot be concluded that the drugs actually reduced violence. They said long-term follow-up studies are needed to confirm any causal relationship.
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
