Key points from article :
A recent study has revealed that semaglutide, a medication used for weight loss and diabetes management (found in drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy), may reduce not only appetite but also motivation to exercise. Researchers at Yale University, including Ralph DiLeone, investigated the effects of semaglutide on mice to better understand its impact on rewarding behaviour. The study found that mice treated with semaglutide ran about half the distance on an exercise wheel compared to those receiving a placebo, indicating a potential decrease in their willingness to engage in physical activity.
To further explore this phenomenon, the researchers set up an experiment where the exercise wheel would periodically lock, requiring the mice to press a lever to unlock it. The results showed that the semaglutide-treated mice pressed the lever 25% less than the control group, suggesting diminished motivation to access the wheel. Similar outcomes were observed in a separate group of obese mice, reinforcing the idea that semaglutide may dampen the desire to engage in exercise.
While these findings are significant, DiLeone cautions that there is currently no direct evidence to suggest that this effect occurs in humans. Most studies on semaglutide involve participants who are also engaged in weight-loss programs that incorporate exercise. Nevertheless, the research highlights the potential for semaglutide to alter both negative and positive behaviours, prompting further investigation into how such medications may impact overall lifestyle choices. Karolina Skibicka from Penn State University noted that this study opens up new questions about the broader effects of semaglutide on motivated behaviours.
