Overview

• Researchers at the University of Gothenburg and the University of Pennsylvania found semaglutide cut rat cocaine self-administration by 26%, reduced seeking after abstinence by 62%, and lowered motivation by 52%.
• Male rats self-administered intravenous cocaine via a lever, then an experimental group received semaglutide before subsequent access in the paradigm.
• Semaglutide suppressed cocaine-evoked dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, consistent with effects on reward-circuit activity.
• The study was published in European Neuropsychopharmacology, and an independent expert said the carefully conducted work should prompt clinical trials for stimulant use disorder.
• Semaglutide, sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, has shown signals for reducing alcohol use in controlled human trials, yet no medication is currently approved for cocaine dependence.