GLP-1 drugs led to weight loss and reversed depression-like behavior in mice
Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs may impact gut microbes and mood in unexpected ways.
Posted June 23, 2026 | Reviewed by Devon Frye
“I’ve been taking Ozempic to lose weight but now I want to go hiking and play badminton with my friends.” —Bob Janke
Researchers rejoiced when Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs worked to shed weight in their patients. But there was an unexpected bonus: Some depressed patients started to feel better. Researchers from Southeast University in China, led by Honghong Yao, think they know why. They pieced together several related observations to solve the mystery.
(I apologize in advance for a few gnarly bacterial names up ahead in this article. But the story is compelling, and you really don’t need to remember the names of the characters to appreciate the plot, so hang in there.)
GLP-1s and Your Gut: What's the Connection?