The GLP-1 Addiction Timeline: Every Key Study From 2012 to 2026

Erreger et al. — First evidence that systemic GLP-1 receptor activation modulates psychostimulant behavior. Exendin-4 reduced amphetamine-induced locomotor stimulation in rats. Published in Physiology & Behavior.

Tuesta et al. — GLP-1 acts on habenular avoidance circuits to control nicotine intake. Mice with GLP-1 receptor knocked out over-consumed nicotine. Published in Nature Neuroscience.

Volkow, Wise & Baler — Landmark review on the dopamine motive system and its implications for drug and food addiction. Established the shared neurobiology framework. Published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience.

Jerlhag lab (Gothenburg) — Series of studies demonstrating semaglutide reduces alcohol intake in rodents. First preclinical evidence specifically linking the clinically available GLP-1 drug to alcohol reduction.

Klausen et al. (review) — Comprehensive review of GLP-1's role in addictive disorders published in British Journal of Pharmacology. Identified the GLP-1R variant rs6923761 associated with altered alcohol self-administration in humans.

Chuong et al. (NIDA/NIAAA) — Semaglutide reduces alcohol drinking and modulates central GABA neurotransmission in rodent models. Published in JCI Insight. Established GABA modulation in central amygdala as a key mechanism.

Iceland's Medicines Agency — Flags reports of suicidal ideation in liraglutide/semaglutide users. Triggers EMA, Health Canada, and FDA investigations. (Later resolved: FDA finds no increased risk, Jan 2026.)

Wang et al. (Case Western/NIH) — Semaglutide associated with 44% reduction in cannabis use disorder incidence (obesity cohort) and reduced alcohol use disorder risk. Published in Molecular Psychiatry and Nature Communications.

Xu et al. (Case Western) — Semaglutide users had over 50% lower opioid overdose risk vs. insulin users in ~33,000 patients. Published in JAMA Network Open.

Qeadan et al. — 1.3 million-patient study finds 40% lower opioid overdose and 50% lower alcohol intoxication among GLP-1 users. Published in Addiction.

Hendershot et al. — Low-dose semaglutide reduced laboratory alcohol self-administration, drinks per drinking day, and craving in people with AUD. Published in JAMA Psychiatry. First US-based RCT.

NIH suicidality study — Analysis of 240,000+ patients finds semaglutide associated with lower risk of suicidal ideation, contradicting earlier safety concerns.

FDA Drug Safety Communication — Based on 2.24 million-patient Sentinel study, FDA finds no increased suicide risk with GLP-1 medications. Requests removal of warning labels.

Edvardsson et al. (Gothenburg) — Tirzepatide reduces alcohol intake by over 50% in rodents and prevents relapse-like behavior. First preclinical data on the dual GLP-1/GIP agonist for addiction. Published in eBioMedicine.

SF DPH trial begins — Dr. Philip Coffin launches first-ever human clinical trial of semaglutide for methamphetamine addiction. Phase 1 with 25 participants.

Cai et al. (WashU/BMJ) — The landmark study: 606,434 US veterans, GLP-1 use associated with 14% lower risk of any new substance use disorder, 40% fewer overdoses, and 50% fewer drug-related deaths among those with existing addictions. Published in The BMJ.

Klausen et al. (Copenhagen/Lancet) — First major RCT: semaglutide + CBT significantly reduces heavy drinking days, cravings, and liver biomarkers vs. placebo + CBT in 108 adults with AUD and obesity. Published in The Lancet.

STAR Trial (NIDA) — NCT06015893, actively recruiting in Baltimore. Phase 3 AUD trials underway at multiple institutions. UNC nicotine trial active. Eli Lilly smoking cessation trials announced.