Can Semaglutide Curb Alcohol Cravings? A Functional Medicine Take On the Latest Research

The peptide semaglutide (sold as Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus) is famous for its use as a weight loss drug and to treat type 2 diabetes. But new research points to another possible, less-discussed benefit: reducing alcohol cravings. 

As someone who has worked with patients for years on gut health, metabolic health, food addiction, cravings, and everything in between, this doesn’t surprise me. In fact, we’ve been talking about the bigger picture around semaglutide for months on the podcast and in our functional medicine telehealth clinic. 

The same neuro-metabolic pathways that influence appetite and might cause “food chatter” or cravings may be at play in other compulsive behaviors, including alcohol use. But there’s more to the story. 

In light of a recent study on semaglutide for alcohol cravings, and ever-increasing use of this peptide, today I’ll be breaking down what the latest research shows on this topic, what it might mean, and of course, my functional medicine perspective on semaglutide, GLP-1, gut health, and alcohol. Let’s get into it. 

What The Latest Study Reveals 

Let’s zoom in on a small, but compelling, study published in JAMA Psychiatry in early 2025. (1) This was a phase II randomized controlled trial (RCT) which looked at the effects of low-dose semaglutide on alcohol use in 48 adults with alcohol use disorder, none of whom were actively seeking treatment. 

Over nine weeks, participants received weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo. Semaglutide was dosed conservatively at 0.25 mg for the first 4 weeks, 0.5 mg for weeks 5-8, and up to 1 mg for the final week, if tolerated. 

The results were significant: participants receiving semaglutide consumed nearly 30% less alcohol, according to post-treatment lab testing. Participants also reported reductions in alcohol cravings, total amount of alcohol per drinking day, and number of heavy drinking days. 

At these low doses, the peptide was well tolerated, with 96% of participants completing the study. 

In a subset of smokers, semaglutide was also linked to reduced cigarette use, suggesting a potential to impact addictive behavior more broadly. 

Why This Matters (And Why It’s Not the Whole Story) 

These findings are exciting. I was especially glad to see such compelling results from a study using a lower dose of semaglutide (you can read more about my thoughts on microdosing semaglutide here). 

There are also several limitations to keep in mind with this research. First, the study involved just 48 participants, and lasted only nine weeks. This is a start, but of course, larger and longer term studies are needed. 

The study also looked specifically at non-treatment-seeking individuals. We don’t know what the results would be among those actively trying to stop drinking (would it work even better for them, or be less effective?). 

Several of the study findings also relied on self-reported data and didn’t include significant diversity in race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background. 

At the end of the day, there are so many factors that influence our bio-individuality, and this is why we need more research—to include as many diverse individuals as possible. 

But even with these limitations in mind, the findings of this study are meaningful. At the very least, semaglutide seems to help some people regulate compulsive or addictive behaviors. 

And if you’re struggling with food cravings, compulsive eating, or alcohol dependence, you know how hard it is to even begin healing without first quieting a bit of that internal noise. 

That’s where I see semaglutide coming in for certain cases, not as a cure-all, but as one tool in the toolbox. Something that can help you get your head above water so that you can begin investigating the root cause of your compulsions and doing the deeper healing work. 

Additional Research On GLP-1, Semaglutide, and Alcohol 

This newly published clinical trial is part of a small, but growing, body of evidence suggesting that GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide may affect substance use behaviors. Here’s what other studies have shown: 

• A Swedish cohort study involving more than 227,000 people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) found that participants taking semaglutide had a 36% lower risk of alcohol-related hospitalization when taking the peptide compared to periods when they weren’t taking it. (2) 
• A 2023 rodent study found that semaglutide dose-dependently reduced alcohol intake in mice and rats. Semaglutide was also found to affect GABA neurotransmission (a key pathway in addiction). (3) 
• A small case series published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry reported that all six participants with alcohol use disorder who had started semaglutide for weight loss shifted to “low risk” drinking levels. (4) 

How Does Semaglutide Work For Alcohol Cravings? 

As a functional medicine practitioner, I’m always interested in the why and how behind an intervention’s effectiveness. What’s going on behind the scenes in the body, and how can we use this information to develop a deeper understanding of the root causes of dysfunction? 

Here’s what we know about the mechanisms behind semaglutide for alcohol cravings. 

First, to back up for a second: GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone produced by the gut which promotes insulin release, reduces appetite, and communicates with the reward centers in the brain. 

GLP-1 receptors (which respond to the GLP-1 we produce) are found in the pancreas, the gut, and in the brain, including in regions involved in dopamine signaling and addiction. 

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, meaning that it mimics the natural GLP-1 hormone in the body. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it too can blunt dopamine spikes, making rewarding behaviors like drinking or overeating feel less urgent. 

Getting To the Root Cause 

Semaglutide may help to reduce cravings, and can be a great tool in the short term. But it doesn’t address why those cravings exist in the first place. (And when taken in higher doses or used over the long term, it’s more likely to cause side effects). 

In functional medicine, we always ask: what’s the root cause? Because unless we address that, we’re just managing symptoms. Common causes and contributing factors may include trauma, gut inflammation, blood sugar dysregulation, or emotional disconnection. 

Again, the gut makes GLP-1 naturally—especially when aided by solid nutrition and lifestyle factors. 

When your gut-brain axis is dysregulated and GLP-1 production is low, you’re more likely to be reactive, compulsive, and experience cravings. When it’s functioning well, you’re more likely to have a greater sense of control. 

So the approach I take with my patients is this. If a peptide like semaglutide gets you stable enough to feel a bit stronger and be able to do the deeper work, that’s a win. But we don’t want to stop there. We also need to figure out what’s going on with your body’s own GLP-1 production and, more broadly, your gut health. True healing means addressing what’s going on underneath the surface. 

READ NEXT: How To Use Scent To Banish Cravings, Lower Inflammation, & Reduce Stress 

How To Support Natural GLP-1 Production 

Semaglutide, in a low dose and for a short period of time, can give you the boost of support you need to get on track. But it’s not always necessary. In many cases, you can support natural GLP-1 production with diet and lifestyle strategies. 

Here are some of the best natural methods for increasing GLP-1: 

• Eat fiber-rich whole foods. Leafy greens, chia seeds, avocados, and legumes (if you tolerate them) are a few great options to support your gut microbiome and help increase GLP-1 secretion. 
• Make sure you’re getting enough protein and healthy fats. Both are necessary to regulate digestion, satiety, and blood sugar regulation. 
• Try intermittent fasting. Studies suggest fasting may enhance GLP-1 receptor sensitivity, and overall this is a great strategy for improving your metabolic flexibility. (5) 
• Incorporate positive stressors. Cold exposure, sauna therapy, and regular exercise can help to increase GLP-1 levels through metabolic stress adaptation. 
• Consider supplements. Berberine and curcumin are a couple of the best options for natural GLP-1 secretion support. (6, 7) 

Berberine and curcumin are two of my go-to supports for reducing inflammation and supporting metabolic and gut health, which is why I created my own high quality supplements of each. You can find The Berberine and The Curcumin through my Art of Being Well line, available online. 

A Promising Tool (But Not a Cure-All) 

Overall, there’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to the potential benefits of (especially low dose) semaglutide. But again, this peptide is just one tool in a much bigger toolbox. Healing from substance use disorders, or any addiction, disease, or imbalance, involves a deeper understanding of the body, emotions, and mental health. 

If you’re looking for open-minded, big picture support, consider booking a consultation with our functional medicine telehealth clinic. We’d be happy to help. 

As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe.

Sources

• Hendershot, C. S., Bremmer, M. P., Paladino, M. B., Kostantinis, G., Gilmore, T. A., Sullivan, N. R., … & Klein, K. R. (2025). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA psychiatry.
• Lähteenvuo, M., Tiihonen, J., Solismaa, A., Tanskanen, A., Mittendorfer-Rutz, E., & Taipale, H. (2025). Repurposing Semaglutide and Liraglutide for Alcohol Use Disorder. JAMA psychiatry, 82(1), 94-98.
• Chuong, V., Farokhnia, M., Khom, S., Pince, C. L., Elvig, S. K., Vlkolinsky, R., … & Leggio, L. (2023). The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue semaglutide reduces alcohol drinking and modulates central GABA neurotransmission. JCI insight, 8(12), e170671.
• Richards, J. R., Dorand, M. F., Royal, K., Mnajjed, L., Paszkowiak, M., & Simmons, W. K. (2023). Significant decrease in alcohol use disorder symptoms secondary to semaglutide therapy for weight loss: a case series. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 85(1), 50515.
• Clemmensen, K. K., Quist, J. S., Vistisen, D., Witte, D. R., Jonsson, A., Pedersen, O., … & Færch, K. (2020). Role of fasting duration and weekday in incretin and glucose regulation. Endocrine Connections, 9(4), 279-288.
• Yu, Y., Liu, L., Wang, X., Liu, X., Liu, X., Xie, L., & Wang, G. (2010). Modulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 release by berberine: in vivo and in vitro studies. Biochemical pharmacology, 79(7), 1000-1006.
• Alli-Oluwafuyi, A. M., Luis, P. B., Nakashima, F., Giménez-Bastida, J. A., Presley, S. H., Duvernay, M. T., … & Schneider, C. (2019). Curcumin induces secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 through an oxidation-dependent mechanism. Biochimie, 165, 250-257.