The popular weight loss medication Mounjaro, known chemically as tirzepatide, may be curbing not only appetite but also cravings for alcohol and other addictive substances, according to emerging anecdotal evidence and ongoing research. Users of the drug, which targets GLP-1 and GIP hormones, have reported a notable decrease in their desire for alcohol, with some experiencing a strong aversion to its taste and effects.
Grace Parkin, a 34-year-old manager from Sheffield, England, described how a pint of beer began to taste unpleasant during the summer of 2024, a stark contrast to her previous habits. Before Mounjaro, Parkin would consume multiple pints of lager during a single evening. However, post-treatment, she found she could barely finish a third of a pint, experiencing bloating and a dislike for the taste. This change extended to her preferred spirit and mixer, vodka, with which she previously consumed up to ten drinks on a night out. While she still occasionally drinks wine, she often has to force herself to finish a glass and now drinks only about once a month.
Mounjaro, approved for weight management, has demonstrated a significant impact on Parkin's impulsive behaviors beyond eating. Prior to her weight loss journey, which began in earnest after a gastric balloon procedure in 2009 yielded limited results, Parkin struggled with weekend overconsumption of food and alcohol, often followed by feelings of regret. She would spend disposable income on impulse buys, including clothing and holidays, and visited shopping centers multiple times a week seeking a rush from spending.
Parkin, who lost approximately eight stone (112 pounds) on Mounjaro, has experienced a reduction in these impulsive behaviors. She notes that the "lack of food noise" and the control the drug provides are benefits she wishes to maintain. Having temporarily come off the medication for a cosmetic procedure, she has since resumed its use to maintain her current weight of 11 stone 10 pounds (166 pounds).
This anecdotal evidence aligns with a growing body of research on GLP-1 agonists, the class of drugs to which Mounjaro belongs. Studies suggest these medications may have an additional benefit in curbing cravings for various substances. Research indicates that the use of such drugs can reduce the risk of developing alcoholism by 18% and cocaine addiction by 20%. US trials have also indicated that GLP-1s can decrease cravings for alcohol in moderate drinkers.
Experts theorize that the hormones activated by these drugs may influence the brain's reward system, a mechanism implicated in addictive behaviors. The precise way in which GLP-1 agonists affect these pathways is still under investigation, but the observed reduction in cravings for alcohol and other substances is becoming a significant area of interest for researchers and clinicians.
