Can semaglutide cause anxiety?

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 drug designed to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. This has led to its appeal as a steroid-fighting medicine, particularly among those who are overweight. This class of drug functions similarly to incretin hormonal substances, which are generated in the body to manage elevated blood sugar levels after meals. Can Semaglutide cause anxiety?

In 2023, research found that Semaglutide had lower risks in people without diabetes and obesity: the chance of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular disease death was reduced by 20%, and three years of usage resulted in a mean weight loss of 9.4%.

Anxiety is a factor generated by the body’s stress in response to external events. When using steroids, this symptom comes more frequently. Diabetes patients who used Semaglutide were 45% more inclined to get recognized as having depression and 44% less likely to be diagnosed with anxiety. How to deal with it, how it appears, and how to manage the cycle of taking it – all of this is covered in our article.

Reports of anxiety in semaglutide users

According to Zhiping Pang, a neuroscientist at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the Child Health Institute of New Jersey, naturally occurring GLP-1 stimulates the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that regulates hunger and food intake. Mr. Pang added that the hormone affects areas of the brain that govern diverse mental functions, among them the mesolimbic system and the hippocampus, which affects numerous neurologic and mental health conditions.

The FAERS Research Department shows a low prevalence of anxiety problems among Semaglutide users. To be more specific, compared to 48 complaints in 2018, the 2022 figures reveal just 23 occurrences, a 23.7% correlation.

How common is anxiety as a side effect?

The primary negative effects of Semaglutide are connected to steroid usage and digestive issues. In percentage terms, according to the reporting documentation for the period 2018 – 2023, they are as follows:

• nausea 20-30%;
• vomiting 10-15%;
• diarrhea 10-15%;
• constipation 5-10%;
• headache about 10%;
• fatigue weakness about 5-10%;
• loss of appetite 5-10%.

Patients taking Semaglutide may feel that they have a mood that is tired or anxious if the drug has a value on their blood sugar levels or arouses any other side effects like fatigue or loss of appetite that can make them stressed. In truth, anxiety is not one of the most prevalent adverse effects of Semaglutide and anxiety, and it is much underrepresented when compared to symptoms like nausea or vomiting.

Possible mechanisms linking semaglutide to anxiety

From the point of view of biological processes, the mechanism of action of AA steroids can be considered as a chain of complex reactions:

1. Nutritional switches and loss of appetite in patients who have just started taking steroids result in low macronutrient and micronutrient levels. For example, changes in diet and metabolism cause an increase in cortisol, the stress hormone secreted by the adrenal glands.
2. Semaglutide, as an agent regulating the gastrointestinal tract, has the capacity to alter the composition of the microbiota, particularly the quantity of SCFA-butyrate, which affects the CNS function.
3. It is vital to keep in mind that shed pounds during a steroid cycle has an enormous effect on body homeostasis. As a result, this process influences the regulation of the emotional reaction or, more specifically, the development of anxiety.

Furthermore, does the target chemical exist in the digestive system? DA is found in various important parts of the brain, including the hypothalamus, striatum, and cerebral cortex. The hypothalamus plays a key role in maintaining bodily homeostasis. Semaglutide alters brain receptors, which could have an effect on neurotransmitters associated with mood and anxiety, such as the serotonergic, dopaminergic, and noradrenergic systems.

The gut-brain axis and anxiety

The gut-brain axis (GBA) refers to a sequence of connections between the gastrointestinal system and the brain, which can be bidirectional. The signaling caused by the HPA axis is an essential communication conduit among the neurological, immunological, and endocrine systems, connecting the gut’s microbial ecosystem with central nervous system processes. 

Gut microbes have been demonstrated to secrete substances that modulate the neurological system and cognition. Semaglutide influences digestion and metabolism, which maintains the microbiota makeup. It can affect the amounts of neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid, which helps to regulate mood and anxiety. The stomach produces 90% of serotonin, and the ratio of bacteria present determines its content.

Blood sugar and mood fluctuations

Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia have direct effects on mood. A piece of chocolate on a gloomy day is like a ray of sunshine, right? Although Semaglutide is primarily used to control blood sugar levels and minimize swings, some individuals report varied degrees of anxiety.

The main symptoms are as follows below:

• sweating;
• dizziness;
• weakness.

Dopamine, which is connected with motivation and pleasure, alterations in response to blood sugar levels.

Neurotransmitter disruptions

Semaglutide lowers ghrelin while boosting leptin signals to the brain, indicating that the body has adequate nutrition.

Appetite and food are linked to neurological activities such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA receptors in the human brain.

It really matters to highlight that dopamine plays a vital role in the control of food consumption and the synthesis of phenomena such as satisfaction. The inhibitory action of Semaglutide on hunger, in addition to modifying eating habits, modulates dopamine, hence eliminating psycho-emotional swings associated with the desire for certain meals and sensitivity to emotional experimentation.

Differences in dosage and anxiety risk

Does Semaglutide make you anxious during a change of cycle? The dosage of Semaglutide used for diabetes is typically that used for weight reduction. It happens due to the management of obesity; a modest quantity of the medicine is required to assist in regulating blood sugar levels, but the drug has an appetite suppressant effect, requiring a larger dose to realize its effects on the desire completely. It is generally provided at a weekly dose of 0.25 mg, subsequently increasing to 1 mg weekly. According to dietician recommendations, the daily dose should not exceed 0.3 mg, and the weekly dose should not exceed 2 mg unless necessary owing to diabetes.

For the use of Semaglutide as a steroid in the fight against obesity, the initial dose is 0.25 mg per week. After that, it can be progressively raised to 2.4-3 mg per week, as decided by the doctor’s recommendation.

Semaglutide and panic attacks – is that a couple? It has been shown to have a larger influence on numerous physiological parameters such as appetite, glycemic management, and hormonal balance at doses of more than 1 mg per week. This is because certain side effects might trigger anxiety and panic episodes.

Managing anxiety while taking semaglutide

Hypoglycemia can be a source of anxiety and panic attacks. To reduce the risks, follow these recommendations:

• measure your blood sugar levels;
• monitor the symptoms of hypoglycemia;
• develop a meal plan on your own or with the help of a specialist.

To alleviate stress and tension, try relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation. This can assist you lessen anxiety symptoms, especially when stress or anxiety levels are high. Going to the gym or engaging in any other physical exercise is likewise a viable choice.

Monitoring and communication with your doctor

Anxiety might be a side effect of the medicine or a result of treatment-related changes. Failure to detect and dismiss symptoms in a timely manner might aggravate the psycho-emotional condition and lower one’s quality of life. That is why frequent monitoring and feedback from a doctor are essential for effective anxiety management.

The majority of patients can wonder if anxiety is a side effect of Semaglutide or a result of other variables, such as stress or personal history. Constantly monitoring symptoms enables the clinician to establish an accurate diagnosis while removing misleading symptoms.

Lifestyle changes to reduce anxiety

Some patients may wonder if their anxiety is caused by Semaglutide or by other factors such as stress or personal experiences. If the symptoms are evaluated frequently, the doctor can make the proper diagnosis while ruling out false positives.

Endorphin concentrations increase dramatically with physical activity, particularly cardiovascular exercise (such as running, swimming, dancing, or walking), reducing anxiety and creating mood. It also increases the production of other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. The Japanese custom of screaming relaxation has been around for a long time, and all you need to do is find a warm area or a pillow.

Medication adjustments

If anxiety associated with semaglutide occurs, several approaches may be considered, including the following:

1. Dose titration. To allow the patient’s body to adjust and avoid sudden negative effects, the dosage should be gradually raised, beginning with a low dose and increasing over multiple weeks.
2. Dose reduction. Once peak concentrations are attained and negative effects appear, the dosage could be lowered as directed by the physician.
3. Worsening anxiety during titration. If anxiety worsens as the dose increases, it could become essential to temporarily halt the increase or revert to the prior dose to give the body time to adapt.

Alternatives to consider are Liraglutide (Saxena) and Exenatide.

Healing Time: When to seek help for anxiety symptoms

A patient who has anxiety that does not go away after a few days or weeks is potentially developing an anxiety disorder. Such symptoms should not be ignored since prolonged anxiety harms the patient’s psychosocial and physical well-being.

Attention deficits, disruptions in normal sleep patterns, changes in appetite, social isolation, or aversion to formerly enjoyable situations are all signs of the onset of an anxiety disorder.

Final Thoughts: Understanding Anxiety Risks with Semaglutide

Does Semaglutide cause anxiety? Statistics demonstrate that such a side effect occurs. However, it happens far less frequently than gastrointestinal disorders.

If the patient has a persistent sensation of worry that fails to go away after a few days or weeks, it could suggest the onset of an anxiety disorder. It is incredibly fundamental to avoid overlooking such symptoms since prolonged anxiety can have a severe impact on the patient’s psychosocial and physical well-being.