The question is frequently repeated on social media and wellness podcasts, but it doesn’t originate in laboratories or scientific journals. It arises in a digital ecosystem where alternative medicine, distrust of healthcare institutions, and an increasingly widespread narrative about the supposed capabilities of Ozempic, the brand name for semaglutide, to resolve problems that go far beyond diabetes or obesity, all coexist.
As Dazed reports, after listening to various alternative medicine content, the idea that Ozempic can “cure” social anxiety ends up seeming almost reasonable. The claim often appears amid openly pseudoscientific assertions, from conspiracy theories to spiritual discourses, but it finds acceptance because it is supported by personal experiences that describe a reduction in the desire to drink alcohol, smoke, or socially isolate oneself after starting treatment.
One Drug, Multiple Promises
Ozempic belongs to the family of GLP-1 receptor agonists, medications developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Its mechanism of action is well established: they regulate blood glucose and increase the feeling of satiety. This same pathway explains its effectiveness in weight loss, an indication supported by clinical trials and large-scale data.
The extension of its purported benefits to areas such as addiction, mental health, or neurodivergence, however, lacks a solid scientific basis. Even so, these ideas have rapidly gained popularity, driven by wellness influencers who present semaglutide as a substance capable of “rebalancing” the body as a whole.
The context helps to understand this expansion. In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that around 1.5 million people were using GLP-1 medications in September, and more than 90% of them were doing so through private payment. The ability to access these drugs through online platforms has facilitated their use outside the criteria of the public health system, even for non-medical reasons. The increased demand has also generated a parallel black market.
Microdosing and Off-Label Use
Within the realm of alternative medicine, the acceptance of Ozempic is linked to its consumption in microdoses, an “off-label” practice. Although legal in certain clinical contexts, this type of use has little research to support its efficacy or safety.
Despite this, influential figures in the wellness world have actively promoted these practices. Dr. Tyna Moore, a naturopath and social media influencer, has claimed that microdosing Ozempic can “cure” everything from arthritis and acne to infertility and alcoholism. In an episode of the podcast Diary of a CEO, she maintained that some previously withdrawn people become more sociable after treatment, attributing these changes to supposed anti-inflammatory effects on the brain.
These kinds of claims contrast with the caution of the medical community. Endocrinologist Sean Noronha, a specialist in diabetes and obesity, explains that weight loss can reduce low-grade chronic inflammation and improve overall well-being in people with obesity. “But we cannot extrapolate these effects to individuals with a normal body mass index, nor is there evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists improve autoimmune or chronic diseases in this context,” he points out.
Addiction or indirect effect?
Some preliminary studies have observed a reduction in alcohol consumption in patients treated with semaglutide, which has sparked interest in its possible impact on the brain’s reward circuits. However, the researchers themselves caution that this data is observational and does not allow for establishing a causal relationship.
Specialists emphasize that the improvement in habits associated with weight loss—better rest, increased physical activity, and reduced inflammation—can indirectly influence addictive behaviors. Attributing these changes to the drug as if it acted directly on addiction oversimplifies complex processes involving biological, psychological, and social factors.
Between Mistrust and Risk
The lack of empirical evidence does not deter proponents of alternative medicine, many of whom express open skepticism toward conventional medicine and regulatory bodies. In some online spaces, even FDA approval is questioned as a criterion for scientific legitimacy, while personal intuition and “natural” treatments are praised.
This discourse coexists with a paradox: the rejection of institutional medicine is combined with the use of an injectable drug developed by the pharmaceutical industry. The argument is usually based on the fact that peptides are produced naturally by the body, even though those used in medications are synthetic.
The consequences of this logic are not merely theoretical. The experimental use of drugs outside of medical supervision carries real risks. Although GLP-1 receptor agonists are generally considered safe, they can produce serious adverse effects, including anaphylaxis. Experts insist that any off-label use should be under medical supervision and complemented with adequate rest, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management.
What remains to be proven
There are ongoing trials exploring the potential of GLP-1 agonists in the treatment of addictions, as well as neurodegenerative and liver diseases. But, for now, these uses remain in the research phase.
Until conclusive data is available, the idea that Ozempic can “cure” addictions remains more in the realm of fiction than evidence. In a context marked by the search for quick fixes, scientific prudence reminds us that not everything that reduces craving can be considered therapy.
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