US EditionGLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic May Slow How Quickly Alcohol Hits the Bloodstream
- Researchers at Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute recently published in Scientific Reports that GLP-1 receptor agonists slow alcohol absorption and reduce perceived intoxication.
- GLP-1 RAs are prescribed primarily for blood sugar control and weight loss, and researchers propose they slow gastric emptying, delaying alcohol absorption and potentially blunting reward.
- In a controlled Research Bar, 20 adults with obesity, split into two groups, consumed three drinks while researchers measured BrAC and perceived intoxication.
- Overall cumulative alcohol exposure during the hour was significantly lower in the GLP-1 RA group, and baseline alcohol cravings were also reduced .
- The authors caution the pilot, non-randomized design limits generalizability and call for larger randomized clinical trials to confirm effects and explore GLP-1 RAs' potential for alcohol use, reported October 17, 2025.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Ozempic Makes Drinking Alcohol Less Fun—and That Could Be a Good Thing
Publishing their findings in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers at Virginia Tech’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute recently dug into how GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro affect alcohol use. In a controlled study involving 20 people with obesity, half of whom were taking a GLP-1 drug, participants were asked to drink the equivalent of three alcoholic beverages within an hour. Then, researchers monitored their blood alc…
Blacksburg – Many people report losing interest in alcohol consumption while taking GLP-1 agonists. A study in Scientific Reports (2025; DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-17927-w) attributes this to delayed gastric emptying, which leads to a slower rise in blood alcohol levels. One reason why...
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