Scientific research has found the surprising effect taking weight loss drugs while smoking and vaping could have on your body.
Weight loss drugs such as Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic have become more mainstream over recent months, despite the latter not actually being approved for weight loss purposes.
On the other hand, Mounjaro and Wegovy have officially been approved for shedding the pounds, but could the drugs be having other effects?
As such drugs become ever popular, studies have taken place looking into how Mounjaro, in particular, can impact smoking and vaping habits.
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The study in PhoClinic noted: "While Mounjaro is not a stop-smoking treatment, some people notice changes in their cravings or behaviours related to nicotine once they begin taking the medication."
Experts quickly found that weight loss drugs such as Mounjaro are not a stop-smoking treatment, though they did find that some people reported changes in their nicotine cravings as a result of weight loss drugs.
The study noted that smokers as a result of taking Mounjaro reported feeling 'less interested in smoking or vaping', experiencing 'nausea if they use nicotine', feeling 'the taste or smell of cigarettes or vapes [to be] unpleasant', as smoking or vaping less frequently.
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However, some people reported they didn't find any chances to their smoking/vaping habits.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry two years ago found those using GLP-1 medications such as Mounjaro and Ozempic were less likely to seek treatment for substance use disorders, including smoking and vaping, compared to those who weren't using such medications.
While not conclusive, such discovery could suggest a link between taking GLP-1 drugs and reduced nicotine cravings.
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The study noted that further investigations would need to take place for more conclusive results.
Why might weight loss drugs affect cravings?
PhloClinic detailed a number of reasons why drugs such as Mounjaro could reduce nicotine cravings.
The website noted: "Mounjaro acts on areas of the brain that manage appetite and pleasure. These are the same areas that respond to nicotine. By lowering the brain’s reward response to triggers like food or nicotine, Mounjaro may help reduce the urge to smoke or vape."
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The health site added: "Nicotine is often linked to habits like smoking after meals or vaping when stressed. Because Mounjaro changes how your body and brain respond to food, it may also affect these routines, making it easier to break old habits."
UNILAD has reached out to Eli Lilly and Company, the manufacturer of Mounjaro for comment.
Callum Jones