Can we use GLP-1s to treat addiction?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) are medicines first developed to treat type 2 diabetes. They help control blood sugar levels by mimicking a natural hormone produced in the human body.

In addition to helping manage blood sugar levels, GLP-1s help people feel fuller for longer and reduce hunger. This is why some GLP-1s are also being used to treat obesity. Scientists are also now exploring whether they could help treat addiction.

Early research suggests these medicines may affect the brain’s reward system. They have the potential to reduce cravings and make substances such as alcohol, nicotine and some drugs feel less rewarding.

Existing evidence about using GLP-1s to treat addiction is limited and inconsistent. We need to investigate whether these medicines can safely and effectively reduce addictive behaviours and help people recover from substance use disorders.

Project aims

This project will evaluate whether GLP-1s can improve outcomes in addiction and mental health including:

• Substance use
• Relapse
• Hospitalisation
• Death rates
• Mental health events

We will also examine whether these effects differ across key groups, including:

• People with pre-existing mental health conditions
• Neurodivergence
• Different ethnic backgrounds
• Varying levels of socioeconomic disadvantage

What we hope to achieve

This project will provide evidence on whether GLP-1s can improve both addiction and mental health outcomes.

Our findings could support repurposing GLP-1s as a treatment option, addressing major gaps where current therapies are limited or unavailable.

The research we do will also help identify which patient groups benefit most, supporting more targeted and equitable care. Findings will be relevant to clinicians, policymakers, and regulators, and could inform future clinical trials, treatment guidelines, and commissioning decisions.

This is a PhD project supervised by Dr Gemma Taylor.