London, England – Weight loss drugs have been linked to a concerning potential side effect that experts are now warning about: reckless behavior. According to recent reports, popular weight loss medications may prompt individuals to engage in impulsive actions, such as risky gambling or making significant life changes like divorcing their partners.
Impulse control disorder is the term used to describe this collective behavior, encompassing conditions that make it challenging for individuals to control their actions, ranging from anger outbursts to more severe disorders like pyromania. A recent journal article published in the QJM highlights the lack of attention given to the cognitive effects of these drugs, emphasizing that most studies focus solely on the rapid weight loss phase without delving into longer-term outcomes.
The co-authors of the study, including a gastroenterologist and psychiatrist, have observed instances where individuals undergoing treatment with blockbuster GLP-1 medications have made drastic life choices such as divorces or relocations within a few months of starting their treatment. The authors expressed concerns about the rationale behind these decisions, deeming them as reckless without understanding the underlying details.
Experts are puzzled as to why these weight loss drugs could trigger such behavioral changes, although this wouldn’t be the first time a drug has been associated with odd or risky behaviors. Dr. Raymond Playford, one of the paper’s authors, pointed out that Levodopa, a drug used for treating Parkinson’s disease, has been linked to increased risks of pathological gambling and hypersexuality.
In the realm of weight loss medications, drugs like Ozempic, along with other semaglutide or tirzepatide medications, have been connected to various side effects, ranging from physical changes like “Ozempic butt” and “boobs,” to impotence, personality alterations, and uncomfortable gastrointestinal issues. Although the authors haven’t encountered evidence of excessive gambling or reckless sexual behaviors in patients thus far, they remain cautious about ruling out the possibility entirely.
As the discussion continues on the potential risks associated with these weight loss drugs, experts are advising doctors to alert patients about looking out for unusual urges or decisions that could have significant consequences. By urging both patients and healthcare providers to pause and reflect on whether certain decisions align with their usual behavior, the hope is to prevent impulsive actions that could lead to regretful outcomes in the long run.