The conversation around GLP-1 drugs, including Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, is expanding beyond their primary use for weight loss. Recent discussions and anecdotal reports suggest these medications may offer benefits for mental health conditions and disorders related to the brain's reward system.
GLP-1 receptors are present not only in the gut but also in brain regions associated with reward, stress, memory, and executive control, according to Dr. Federica Amati, author of The Appetite Reset: How to Eat, Drink and Thrive Before, During and After GLP-1s. While early studies are described as mixed, some experts are noting promising effects. Dr. Lenard Adler, an adult ADHD specialist at New York University’s Langone Psychiatry Associates, reported in June that approximately half of his patients taking GLP-1s have experienced improvements in their ADHD symptoms.
Conditions such as depression and addiction, which are linked to dopamine—a neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and pleasure—have shown positive responses to GLP-1 drugs, particularly in individuals with alcoholism.
For those diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which is also connected to the brain's dopamine circuits, there is interest in whether these drugs could alleviate symptoms. Individuals with ADHD often experience impulsivity and may seek rewards through eating, which can sometimes contribute to obesity, though this is not universally the case.
Online forums, such as Reddit, have seen anecdotal discussions where individuals using GLP-1s for weight loss reported concurrent improvements in their ADHD symptoms. These observations, while not clinical trials, have sparked curiosity.
One individual, Kate Spicer, who was diagnosed with ADHD in early 2024, explored these potential benefits. Experiencing anxiety and a sense of impending disaster following a personal relationship ending, alongside the effects of her ADHD stimulant medication, she wondered if a low dose of a GLP-1 drug could offer a complementary solution. She noted that while her ADHD medication provided stability, it could also lead to a feeling of being "jangly" when she wasn't feeling positive, and she experienced significant anxiety.
Spicer experimented with Elcella, a supplement described as a "natural alternative to Ozempic." Unlike pharmaceutical GLP-1 agonists, Elcella is a food-based supplement that aims to stimulate the body's natural production of GLP-1 and another hunger hormone, PYY, by delivering specific fats to the colon. While Elcella makes no direct clinical claims regarding ADHD management, its developers have indicated potential for reduced calorie intake and "food noise."
After a three-month trial of Elcella, Spicer reported experiencing a noticeable cheerfulness and a greater capacity to navigate moods, with anxiety that came and went. She also noted a cessation of comfort eating crisps and gave up smoking. She observed that while Elcella did not replace her ADHD medication, it had a "softening effect," and her sleep quality improved. However, she found the cost prohibitive.
Following her trial, Spicer increased her intake of gut-friendly foods, including kefir, kombucha, and fermented items, and focused on fiber. While these dietary changes have yielded positive effects, she misses the "background steadiness" that Elcella provided. She acknowledges her experience is not a clinical trial but describes the effects, even if placebo, as significant and leading to lasting positive changes in her habits.