Promising Signs of Life Detected on Distant Planet K2-18b

A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Southern California has found that Ozempic, a medication typically used for weight loss and diabetes treatment, can also significantly reduce alcohol consumption and smoking. The trial involved 48 participants with alcohol use disorder, characterized by an inability to control drinking despite negative consequences.
According to researchers, those receiving low doses of semaglutide—an active ingredient in Ozempic—experienced decreased alcohol cravings, reduced average drinks consumed on drinking days, and fewer heavy drinking occasions after a nine-week trial. These results indicate that Ozempic may be more effective than current medications used to treat alcohol dependence.
The study also noted a decline in daily cigarette consumption among participants who smoked. With over 8,200 alcohol-related deaths reported in the UK in 2023—an increase of 42% since 2019—these findings suggest potential for broader adoption of semaglutide treatments for alcohol use disorder, as stated by the study's leader, Professor Christian Hendershot.