Health · Pharma & Biotech · 9 hrs ago
GLP-1 drugs are being tested for addiction and mental health conditions
Drug companies and researchers are testing GLP-1 medicines for brain conditions including addiction and depression.
The medicines include semaglutide, used in treatments such as Ozempic, and tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro.
Interest grew after some patients said they felt less desire to drink or smoke while taking these drugs.
In a 2025 trial, people with alcohol-use disorder who received semaglutide reported less craving and fewer heavy-drinking episodes over time.
Other small clinical studies have found similar results, but it is not yet clear how the drugs might affect the brain or reduce addiction.
Eli Lilly is testing brenipatide for several conditions, including alcohol, tobacco and opioid use disorders, while Baseline Therapeutics plans a phase 3 trial of its BT-001 drug for alcohol-use disorder in early 2027.
Researchers are still studying how these medicines work, and brain-imaging research is expected to help clarify their effects.
GLP-1 medicines used for obesity and diabetes are being investigated as treatments for addiction, depression and other brain-related conditions.
The conditions under study include alcohol, tobacco and opioid use disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and Parkinson’s disease.
A 2025 clinical trial found that semaglutide was associated with reduced alcohol cravings and fewer heavy-drinking episodes.
Eli Lilly is testing brenipatide, a GLP-1 and GIP analogue, for several conditions, while Baseline Therapeutics plans a phase 3 trial of BT-001 for alcohol use disorder in early 2027.
Researchers say it remains unclear how these medicines may affect addiction or whether brenipatide differs significantly from existing drugs.
- Who
- Pharmaceutical companies including Eli Lilly, Kariya Pharmaceuticals and Baseline Therapeutics, along with academic researchers.
- What
- GLP-1 medicines are being investigated for addiction and mental health conditions. Studies include trials of semaglutide, brenipatide and BT-001.
- When
- The article was published on 18 October 2026. A semaglutide trial took place in 2025, and a phase 3 trial of BT-001 is planned for early 2027.
- Where
- The research involves institutions and companies in the United States. Brenipatide data were presented at a psychiatry conference in New Orleans.
- Why
- Researchers are investigating whether GLP-1 medicines could help treat addiction and other conditions affecting the brain. The way they might work is not yet clear.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A clinical trial led by Christian Hendershot evaluated semaglutide in people with alcohol use disorder and found reduced cravings and heavy-drinking episodes.
Brenipatide data were presented at a psychiatry conference in New Orleans.
Baseline Therapeutics plans to begin a phase 3 trial of BT-001 for alcohol use disorder.
- Semaglutide trial
- In 2025, a clinical trial found reduced alcohol cravings and heavy-drinking episodes.
- Brenipatide half-life
- Nine to 12 days, compared with five to seven days for other approved GLP-1 medicines.
- BT-001 trial
- Baseline Therapeutics plans a phase 3 trial in early 2027.
- Conditions under study
- Alcohol, tobacco and opioid use disorders, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and Parkinson’s disease.
- Companies named
- Eli Lilly, Kariya Pharmaceuticals and Baseline Therapeutics.
What people are saying
the studies carried out so far show benefits that seem to exceed those observed with medicines currently approved for alcohol use disorder
the longer duration may make the medicine especially suitable for people with these conditions
it is still not clear whether there are other important differences between brenipatide and currently available medicines