GLP-1 Medications Such As Ozempic And Wegovy May Have A Secret Effect On Violent Behavior

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, are becoming some of the most in-demand drugs in the world. Originally designed to help lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients, their ability to slow digestion and lower appetite has also made them an effective treatment for obesity.

However, recent research has also shown that the drugs may also suppress some cancers – such as colorectal, liver, endometrial, and ovarian cancer – while also slowing biological aging. There is even some research suggesting the medication could decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia.

Although further study is needed into all these potential benefits, it is clear that GLP-1s are having some surprising results. And the latest paper from scientists at Rutgers University, New Jersey, may be another example of this.

According to their findings, GLP-1s may actually alter violent criminal behavior among adults by influencing the effects of impulsivity and alcohol use.

Dr Daniel Semenza, associate professor and director of research at Rutger’s New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and Christopher Thomas, assistant professor of criminal justice, analyzed data from a 2025 survey of 7,521 US adults.

The data is suitable for this study for several reasons. Firstly, it’s nationally representative, allowing the researchers to make inferences about population-level associations. Secondly, the data were collected in 2025, at a time when the demographics using GLP-1s had been shifting for a few years. But importantly, the sample also included 821 individuals who had used GLP-1 at some point in their lives.

By focusing on these individuals, the researchers were able to compare current GLP-1 users with former users to see if the medication changed the relationship between violent behavior, impulsivity, and alcohol intake.

In this context, violent behavior was measured using a validated self-reported offending scale which assessed behaviors like fighting, assault, and robbery.

“The strongest finding in the study was that the well-established link between impulsivity and violent behavior was substantially weaker among current GLP-1 users compared to former users,” Semenza explained in a statement.

“As GLP-1 drugs become increasingly widespread, it is important to understand all of their potential behavioral effects, including those relevant to public safety.”

The researchers found that higher impulsivity and alcohol use were strongly associated with violent behavior overall, but those relationships were around 62 percent weaker among current users. They also found that the relationship between alcohol use and violent behavior was about 52 percent weaker among current users, though this result was less consistent across sensitivity analysis.

“Our findings are consistent with these medications working like cognitive behavioral therapy, weakening the path from impulse to action rather than eliminating impulsivity itself,” Thomas added.

While the results are promising, the study has its limitations. Firstly, as the data were cross-sectional, a causal relationship between GLP-1s and violent behavior cannot be confirmed. Neither can the results be generalized beyond this specific target population. Also, the violence measure only assessed behavior for the last 12 months, while participants’ GLP-1 use status reflected current use at the time of the survey, further limiting the team’s ability to precisely link medication use to violent behavior.

Nevertheless, the study emphasizes the need for additional longitudinal and experimental studies to see whether GLP-1 medication reduces violence risks. It could also offer insights into how we understand the mechanisms that lead to these changes.

The study was published in the journal of Criminology.