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If you take GLP-1 drugs to reduce alcohol consumption you may end up benefiting in a number of other ways, which is why clinicians are so excited about its potential.
What You’ll Learn:
- GLP-1 weight control and reduction benefits
- Ability of GLP-1 drugs to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes
- GLP-1 benefits for type 2 diabetes management
- Reduce brain inflammation benefits with GLP-1
- Benefits of GLP-1’s effect on blood vessel function
- How GLP-1 reduces the risk of sleep apnea
Using GLP-1 for alcohol reduction is already being researched after initial findings suggest it can be a safe and effective way to control consumption. What’s even more exciting is the fact that GLP-1 drugs provide a number of other health benefits, making it a multi-tasking medication. Pair that with the fact that there’s a low rate of serious GLP-1 side effects, and we may soon find that it’s a therapy with very few downsides.
As the research into GLP-1 treatment options continues, experts are discovering more and more benefits that can help improve health beyond gaining control over alcohol use.
Weight Control Through Satiety and Reduced Food Cravings
Many of the 29.5 million Americans that have alcohol use disorders are also overweight by established health standards. Alcohol consumption, particularly binge drinking, can have a profoundly negative impact on a person’s weight by increasing empty calories and making it more difficult for the body to burn fat.
With GLP-1 agonist meds both problems can be addressed simultaneously. GLP-1 semaglutides are already FDA-approved for weight management. They work by increasing satiation and increasing the amount of time it takes the stomach to empty. In addition to feeling full for longer, GLP-1 meds keep food cravings in check by impacting reward pathways in the brain connected to food. This makes you think less about food and desire it less.
GLP-1’s ability to reduce food cravings by tempering reward pathways is possibly why it is also effective at reducing alcohol cravings. The reduced reward signaling in the brain could work for alcohol in the same way it works for food.
Reduced Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Many people are unaware that chronic alcohol consumption increases their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is exactly what GLP-1 drugs were developed for. Alcohol has a negative effect on blood sugar regulation while GLP-1 has a stabilizing effect. The combination of less alcohol and keeping blood sugar levels stable reduces your risk of developing type 2 diabetes down the road.
GLP-1 stabilizes blood sugar levels by slowing digestion as well as enhancing insulin secretion. This allows cells to absorb glucose more effectively. At the same time it suppresses the hormone glucagon that is known to increase blood sugar levels.
Type 2 Diabetes Management Through Blood Sugar Control
If you already have type 2 diabetes and are a chronic drinker, GLP-1 medications can help you get both conditions under control. Here again the benefit comes from GLP-1’s ability to stabilize blood sugar levels, which has the ancillary benefit of reducing related complications like kidney damage, nerve damage, cardiovascular problems and hypoglycemia.
Reduced Brain Inflammation For Protection Against Neurodegenerative Diseases
One of the more interesting effects of GLP-1 meds is their ability to reduce brain inflammation. GLP-1 acts on brain receptors that reduce inflammatory response throughout the body, but it protects the brain from inflammation in a number of ways:
- It lowers C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, an indicator of inflammation.
- Makes astrocytes, microglia and other inflammation cells less active in the brain.
- Reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- Protects neurons to help preserve brain tissue and memory function.
- Suppresses TNF-alpha for reduced neuroinflammation
These findings have been so strong in animal studies, GLP-1 semaglutide drugs are now being studied as a possible medication to treat Alzheimer’s.
Better Blood Vessel Function
Another brain and body benefit of GLP-1 medications is its ability to improve blood vessel function. When blood vessels function more efficiently more nutrients and oxygen are carried to the brain, which has many protective benefits.
As important as the brain benefits are, the lower risk of heart attack and stroke that has been seen with GLP-1 drugs could be even more important. It’s the result of GLP-1’s positive impact on blood vessel health and inflammation.
Less Risk of Sleep Apnea
Perhaps the most surprising benefit is how GLP-1 receptor agonists improve sleep. It’s an indirect benefit that comes from weight loss. As more research has gone into the sometimes deadly sleep apnea disorder, it was discovered that just a 5-10% weight loss reduced the effects of sleep apnea. This is well within the average 10-15% weight loss from taking GLP-1 agonist meds.
Sleep apnea can obstruct air pathways, which disrupts sleep. Alcohol also is highly disruptive for sleep, greatly reducing the amount and quality of a person’s sleep even if they are able to fall asleep faster. Getting more hours of deep sleep is highly beneficial for overall physical and mental health from strengthening the immune system to repairing blood vessels to reducing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes.
As you can see, many of the benefits of GLP-1 medications feed into one another, supporting overall health and wellbeing. The fact that it also appears to reduce cravings for alcohol makes it a very interesting option for AUD treatment.
If you’d like to know more about what’s on the horizon for GLP-1 drugs, take our Alcohol Use Assessment to speak with a clinician that can answer all of your questions!
