In recent weeks, the effects of GLP-1 have been widely publicised as some people on GLP-1 agonist medication as well as fellow Calocurb-ers reported a decrease in alcohol consumption.
How does GLP-1 affect the reward regions of the brain?
When alcohol is consumed, it spreads quickly throughout the entire body and brain via the bloodstream. The effects of alcohol include:
- A decrease in circulating GLP-1 which may be linked to overfeeding and cravings for food high in carbs and fat.
- Some studies indicate increased ghrelin levels (aka the hunger hormone) while drinking, making you hungrier than usual.
- A decrease in perception of hunger and/or fullness.
- Temporarily keeps your body from breaking down fat.
GLP-1 receptors have been found in the reward pathway in the brain.
Animal studies show how GLP-1 may act as a protective factor in the normal regulation of alcohol intake; when the GLP-1 signal is removed, the animals are prone to drinking more alcohol. Additionally, substances that can bind to GLP-1 receptors (referred to as agonists) have previously been shown to reduce alcohol drinking in overweight patients with alcohol misuse. This modulates a consistent hypothesis that food and alcohol may have a similar reward pathway. When this process becomes dysregulated - it also affects our decision-making abilities towards food and alcoholic beverage consumption.
Reports suggest that after people stop taking injectables, their cravings for food and alcohol return. Calocurb naturally stimulates the release of GLP-1 and other satiety hormones in the upper small intestine without disrupting the normal fluctuations of these hormones. Calocurb is scientifically shown to be an affordable and effective method to reduce the feelings of hunger and cravings… and the hypothesis goes that so can the cravings for alcohol!
References:
Jerlhag, E. (2018). GLP-1 signalling and alcohol-mediated behaviours; preclinical and clinical evidence. Neuropharmacology, 136, 343-349.
Tufvesson-Alm, M., Shevchouk, O. T., & Jerlhag, E. (2023). Insight into the role of the gut-brain axis in alcohol-related responses: Emphasis on GLP-1, amylin, and ghrelin. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 1092828.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/ozempic-might-help-you-drink-and-smoke-less-a2354ce7
