Until law, GLP-1 drugs were used to treat diabetes, obesity and even the recent evidences suggest that it could as well be used to treat chronic kidney problems. There is yet another research, published in JAMA Psychiatry on February 25, titled Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial that explores if GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide reduce alcohol consumption and cravings in adults with alcohol use disorder.

What Do Studies Say?

The research was conducted over a period of 9 weeks, where in the randomized clinical trial, the participants who were administered semaglutide, it led to reductions in some but not all measures of weekly consumptions. It also reduced weekly alcohol and craving related to placebo, and also led to a greater relative reduction in cigarettes per day.

The research also found that weekly injections of semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in weight loss drugs like Wegovy also helped reduce cravings in people with alcohol use disorder.

The lead author Christian Hendershot said that these findings will help in developing new approaches to treat alcoholism. "Two drugs currently approved to reduce alcohol consumption aren't widely used. The popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists increases the chances of broad adoption of these treatments for alcohol use disorder," said Hendershot in news release by the University of Southern California's Institute for Addiction Research, where he is the director.

The study is government-funded research and was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study was small, and took in account for only 48 adults over two months, thus experts say that it is not yet clear how safe these drugs are for people who do not need to lose weight. Though the results do add up with the evidence form animal studies on drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy on how it helps manage cravings, not just for food, but also for tobacco and alcohol. Scientists are also studying these drugs on smokers, people with opioid addiction and cocaine users.

Co-author Dr Klara Klein of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who treats people with obesity and diabetes said, "This is such promising data. And we need more of it. We frequently will hear that once people start these medications that their desire to drink is very reduced, if not completely abolished."

Why Does It Work So Well Against Alcoholism?

The GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking hormones GLP-1 in the gut and brain that regulates appetite and feelings of fullness. This response is what helps one lose weight, and what helps one curb their craving for alcohol. These drugs that mimic the functioning of your brain, which is responsible to tell your body when to stop consuming, are the same hormones that tell your body about other kinds of consumptions, including alcohol. Therefore by consuming the weight loss drugs one can treat alcohol use disorder.

However, the researchers have pointed out on the limited data on the research and have suggested to continue using the three approved drugs by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, namely, Disulfiram, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate to treat alcohol use disorder until large studies confirm these findings.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is back with a new variant. The deadly virus behind COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and a new COVID-19 variant, PJ.2.1, has been detected in several countries. Its spread and spike protein mutations have raised questions about its potential to transmit, symptoms and severity.

However, doctors said there is currently no evidence that the variant causes more severe illness or significantly different symptoms. They stressed the need to strengthen genomic surveillance in India to track its possible circulation in the country.

PJ.2.1: Countries Reporting Cases

According to an October preprint study that has not yet undergone peer review, the first confirmed PJ.2.1 sample was detected on May 2, 2026, in Ontario, Canada.

The variant was subsequently identified in other parts of Canada and in New York on June 30. Cases were later reported in several US states.

It has also been reported in Spain, France, Israel, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

PJ.2.1: Is India At Risk?

Also read: New COVID-19 Variant PJ.2.1 Spreads Globally: WHO Says Symptoms Resemble Cold, Flu

PJ.2.1 is a heavily mutated descendant of the Omicron family of SARS-CoV-2. It carries multiple mutations in its spike protein, which helps the virus enter human cells.

Dr Jatin Ahuja, Consultant, Infectious Disease, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, said the emergence of a new variant does not automatically indicate a change in India's overall COVID-19 situation.

"Continued genomic surveillance will help establish whether PJ.2.1 is circulating in the country. Authorities should also monitor infection patterns and any changes in hospitalisations," he told HealthandMe.

However, he stressed that "at present, there is no reason for undue concern. The focus should remain on monitoring developments and following routine precautions against respiratory infections".

What Do PJ.2.1's Mutations Mean?

Dr Ahuja said it is important to look beyond a variant's name or mutations and assess whether these changes affect how the virus spreads, evades existing immunity and causes illness.

"PJ.2.1 is worth monitoring because of changes in its spike protein, which plays a role in the virus entering human cells. These changes have raised questions about its ability to interact with human cells and potentially gain a transmission advantage," he said.

However, changes in the virus's behaviour at the cellular level do not necessarily translate into more severe illness in patients.

Read More: XFG COVID Variant: What India Should Watch As Cases Rise In UK And France

PJ.2.1: Are There New Symptoms?

Dr Tushar Tayal, Associate Director – Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, said there is currently insufficient clinical evidence to suggest that the variant causes more severe illness or produces distinctly different symptoms.

"People should watch for fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms, and consider testing if they develop signs of infection," he told HealthandMe.

Dr Ahuja also said there is no established evidence that PJ.2.1 causes more severe COVID-19, increases the likelihood of hospitalisation or produces symptoms significantly different from those associated with earlier variants.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said symptoms associated with the variant may resemble those of the common cold or flu.

"Symptoms of COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory infections can coincide. Thus, based on symptoms alone, it is impossible to determine with certainty which respiratory virus caused the infection," the WHO was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

The global health body said diagnostic testing may be important when identifying the virus could influence treatment decisions.

According to the WHO, possible COVID-19 symptoms include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Blocked or runny nose
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Severe fatigue

Some people may also experience digestive problems, shortness of breath or changes in their sense of smell and taste. These symptoms are not unique to COVID-19, as seasonal influenza and other respiratory infections can cause similar symptoms.

The WHO emphasised that symptoms alone cannot reliably identify the virus responsible for an infection. Laboratory testing may be necessary when knowing the cause could affect treatment decisions.

PJ.2.1: How Can You Prevent Your Risk?

Dr Tayal recommended taking routine precautions, including wearing a well-fitted N95 mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, improving indoor ventilation and maintaining hand hygiene.

Older adults and people with underlying health conditions should seek medical advice promptly if they develop respiratory symptoms.

People should continue to take respiratory infections seriously. However, the emergence of PJ.2.1 should not be interpreted as an indication of another major COVID-19 outbreak. The experts noted that surveillance and clinical evidence, rather than speculation, should guide the response.

Eli Lilly's 'Godzilla' weight loss drug retatrutide could offer more than just weight loss. The experimental drug, a once-weekly injection, has shown promising results in easing chronic knee pain among people with obesity and knee osteoarthritis in two Phase 3 clinical trials.

The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), suggest that the drug could address obesity and painful knee osteoarthritis, two interconnected health concerns. Participants receiving retatrutide experienced significant improvements in knee pain than those who received a placebo.

The findings are noteworthy as excess bodyweight can aggravate knee osteoarthritis more which can make everyday activities, including walking, climbing stairs and exercising, difficult.

What Is Retatrutide And How Does It Work?

Also read: Stopping Mounjaro & Zepbound May Trigger Hallucinations, Mania & Other Psychiatric Symptoms

Retatrutide is a once-weekly injectable medication which belongs to a newer class of weight-loss drugs known as triple-hormone receptor agonists.

Unlike semaglutide (which targets GLP-1 receptors) and tirzepatide (which targets GLP-1 and GIP receptors), retatrutide activates three hormone receptors:

- GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1): Helps regulate appetite, slow stomach emptying and control blood glucose levels.

- GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide): Helps regulate insulin production and metabolic regulation.

- Glucagon: Plays a role in energy metabolism and can increase energy expenditure.

By targeting all three, retatrutide helps regulate appetite, food intake and energy metabolism, resulting in substantial weight loss and management of obesity-related illnesses.

Researchers wanted to investigate whether this amount of weight reduction could also help people experiencing chronic knee pain linked with osteoarthritis.

Findings From Two Clinical Trials

The findings come from two Phase 3 clinical trials, TRIUMPH-4 and TRIUMPH-1-OA, which enrolled 1,019 participants.

Both trials included overweight or obese adults with knee osteoarthritis. Participants did not have diabetes and were randomly assigned to receive different doses of retatrutide or a placebo.

1. TRIUMPH-4 trial

The trial included 445 participants who received either 9 mg or 12 mg of retatrutide or a placebo over 68 weeks.

- Participants receiving 9 mg of retatrutide experienced a 3.96-point reduction in their WOMAC pain score.

- Those receiving 12 mg experienced a 3.74-point reduction.

- The placebo group experienced a 2.12-point reduction.

Participants also experienced substantial weight loss. Those receiving 9 mg lost an average of 20% of their body weight, while the 12 mg group lost 23.7%. The placebo group lost 4.6%.

Also read: Not Everyone With Obesity Is Unhealthy: New Study Challenges BMI

2. TRIUMPH-1-OA trial

This trial enrolled 574 participants who received 4 mg, 9 mg or 12 mg of retatrutide or a placebo over 80 weeks. The results showed:

- The 4 mg group experienced a 3.22-point reduction in knee pain scores.

- The 9 mg group experienced a 3.48-point reduction.

- The 12 mg group experienced a 3.64-point reduction.

- The placebo group experienced a 1.87-point reduction.

Weight loss ranged from 17.5% to 24.8% across the three retatrutide groups, compared to 4.3% in the placebo group.

One encouraging finding emerged from the trials. Approximately 63% to 70% of participants receiving retatrutide experienced at least a 50% reduction in knee pain. This was compared to 38% of participants receiving a placebo.

Improvements in physical function were also observed, with approximately 64% of participants in the retatrutide groups experiencing at least a 50% improvement, compared to 33.1% in the placebo group.

Also read: Stopping Ozempic or Wegovy May Double Your Risk Of Heart Attack, Death

Side Effects Of Retatrutide

Despite the promising findings, researchers also identified safety concerns at higher doses of retatrutide. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal problems, including nausea, diarrhoea and constipation. These symptoms were generally mild to moderate and occurred more frequently when dose was increased.

Another reported side effect was dysesthesia, an abnormal sensation of the skin that can include tingling, burning or unusual sensitivity.

In TRIUMPH-4, serious adverse events affected approximately 10% to 11% of participants receiving 9 mg or 12 mg of retatrutide, compared to 2% in the placebo group.

Furthermore, approximately 15% to 18% of participants receiving the highest dose discontinued treatment because of adverse events.

Weight Loss & Knee Health

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition in which the cartilage cushioning the ends of bones breaks down. This can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and difficulty in movement. Excess body weight can worsen the condition due to increased mechanical pressure on the knees and inflammation related to obesity.

While the findings offer hope for people living with chronic knee pain, researchers caution against interpreting pain relief as evidence that the drug can reverse osteoarthritis. Additionally, people who required knee replacement were excluded from the trials.

Regaining weight is one of common effects of stopping GLP-1 treatment for obesity. But apart from this, users have reported unusual side effects like hair fall, vision loss and even psychiatric symptoms.

According to two case reports published in the Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, stopping GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may ensue serious psychiatric symptoms in some patients like hallucinations, paranoia, mania and severe depression.

The reports describe two men who developed acute psychiatric symptoms after abruptly discontinuing tirzepatide, sold under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound. Both patients needed hospitalisation and psychiatric treatment.

The latest findings raise questions about the possible psychiatric effects of stopping GLP-1 medicines on the brain.

What Happened To The Two Patients?

Also read: Semaglutide May Lower Fetal Oxygen Levels During Pregnancy, Sheep Study Finds

The first case involved a 61-year-old man with a history of depression who stopped taking tirzepatide in August 2025 because of nausea.

Around two months later, he was hospitalised with worsening confusion and erratic behaviour. He experienced paranoia, auditory and visual hallucinations, and Cotard's delusion, a rare condition in which a person believes they are dead or no longer exist.

Medical investigations, including brain imaging, an electroencephalogram and tests of cerebrospinal fluid, did not identify a clear explanation for his symptoms. He received antipsychotic medication along with his existing antidepressant treatment.

Although his psychotic symptoms initially improved, he was readmitted weeks later with severe depression and catatonic features, a condition involving symptoms like reduced movement, unresponsiveness and difficulty communicating. He subsequently required electroconvulsive therapy.

The second case involved a 52-year-old man with a history of anxiety who abruptly stopped tirzepatide in September 2025 after losing approximately 100 pounds (45 kg) over six months.

About a month later, he developed significant mood and behavioural changes, including irritability, impulsivity, grandiosity and rapid, disorganised speech. Doctors diagnosed a manic episode. He was treated with an antipsychotic and transferred for psychiatric care.

Can Stopping GLP-1 Drugs Affect Mental Health?

Also read: Stopping Ozempic or Wegovy May Double Your Risk Of Heart Attack, Death

GLP-1 receptors are found not only in the digestive system but also in the brain, including regions involved in appetite, reward processing and mood regulation.

GLP-1 medicines influence these regions, which may partly explain why researchers are investigating their effects on mental health.

The authors of the case reports suggest that abruptly stopping the medication could contribute to sudden changes in mood or behaviour in certain vulnerable individuals. They also point towards dopamine signalling and neuroinflammatory processes.

However, researchers could not establish that withdrawal from tirzepatide was responsible for the psychiatric symptoms.

Both patients had pre-existing mental health conditions, which may have contributed to their symptoms. The second patient also had low vitamin B12 levels and increased marijuana use before developing symptoms.

The authors described the psychiatric symptoms after discontinuation of medication as “an underrecognized clinical phenomenon” and called for further research.

GLP-1 Drugs & Psychiatric Symptoms

The case reports do not mean that GLP-1 medicines cause psychosis, mania or other psychiatric disorders when stopped.

In January 2026, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said its review of 91 clinical trials involving more than 107,000 participants found no increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour with GLP-1 medicines.

It also found no increased risk of other psychiatric adverse events, including anxiety, depression, irritability and psychosis, compared to placebo.

However, that assessment primarily examined risks associated with taking the medicines. It does not settle the question of whether abrupt discontinuation could be linked with psychiatric symptoms in a small, vulnerable group.

The findings, however, indicate that patients should not stop GLP-1 treatment without discussing it with their healthcare provider. People may discontinue these medicines because of side effects, cost, access problems or other reasons, but a clinician can help change treatment plans.

Anyone experiencing new symptoms like confusion, hallucinations, extreme mood changes, paranoia or unusual behaviour after stopping a GLP-1 medication should seek urgent medical intervention.