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NEW YORK — New studies are uncovering the popular weight loss drug Ozempic has some unexpected side effects, including reports from some patients of subtle changes in mood and behaviour.
The phenomenon, sometimes referred to online as “Ozempic personality,” is not yet a recognized medical diagnosis, but is used to describe a range of experiences including emotional flattening, reduced enjoyment of activities and shifts in social behaviour.
Doctors and researchers say the term has gained traction largely through social media, where some users report feeling less responsive not only to food but to other sources of pleasure, such as music, hobbies and social interaction.
Experts including Caroline Apovian of Harvard Medical School, Sun Kim of Stanford Health and Rachel Goldman of New York University say the effects are being occasionally observed but remain largely anecdotal. They note clinical trials and regulatory reviews have not yet established a causal link between GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and significant psychiatric side effects, including depression or suicidal thoughts.
The medications belong to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work by mimicking hormones that regulate appetite, slow digestion and increase feelings of fullness. In doing so, they also interact with the brain’s reward system, which researchers say may help explain some of the reported changes.
Doctors say the drugs appear to reduce what is often called “food noise,” or persistent thoughts about eating. But because food plays a role in reward and social behaviour, reducing that stimulus may also affect how some people experience pleasure more broadly.
Scientists including Derek Daniels at the University at Buffalo say the drugs may influence dopamine signalling, which governs how the brain processes reward and motivation. In some cases, this could lead to a dampened response to activities that previously brought enjoyment, though the exact mechanism remains unclear.
At the same time, experts say weight loss itself can bring psychological changes, making it difficult to separate the effects of the medication from broader lifestyle shifts. Patients may be adjusting to new eating habits, changing social routines or altered self-image.
For most people, the effects appear to be mild or temporary. Some clinicians, including Deena Hailoo of Northwell Health, say any emotional flattening tends to resolve within weeks or can be addressed by adjusting dosage. Others say support from health professionals can help patients adapt to changes in behaviour and find new sources of reward.
Despite the reports, specialists emphasize the overall benefits of the medications, which have been shown to be effective in treating obesity and diabetes and, in some cases, may even reduce cravings for substances such as alcohol and tobacco.
Health experts recommend that anyone experiencing persistent mood changes while taking GLP-1 medications speak with a healthcare provider, rather than discontinuing treatment on their own.
They say the key is balancing potential side effects with the significant health benefits the drugs can provide, while recognizing that individual experiences may vary.
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