What Does Ozempic Do to Your Brain?

People often discuss Ozempic (semaglutide) use in terms of weight loss and lowering blood sugar. It makes sense since the injectable semaglutide is prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes and assist with losing excess body mass. The assumption is that Ozempic does something to the digestive tract, but the medication also affects different parts of the brain that control hunger, pleasure, and planning.

Let’s take a moment to explore what Ozempic does to the brain what patient take it. We’ll also discuss how changes to the parts of the brain help patients lose weight and how taking semaglutide can also lead to differences in a person’s mood. In addition to describing the effects of Ozempic on the brain, our team will also discuss rare but extremely serious side effects that could have a lasting impact on a patient’s overall health and wellness.

If you experienced severe gastrointestinal health problems after taking Ozempic, speak with the lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. Our law firm can evaluate your situation and let you know if you qualify for an Ozempic lawsuit. Request a free consultation with our Ozempic attorneys today.

 

How Ozempic Affects People’s Brains

Researchers believe that Ozempic predominantly affects the hypothalamus as well as the parts of the brain that control eating for pleasure and executive function. The effects of Ozempic on these parts of the brain reveal some of the ways that the drug works as well as the important connections between the brain and a person’s gut.

Changes to Hunger and Satiety

Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which mimics the naturally occurring hormone known as GLP-1. GLP-1 affects the hypothalamus and helps regulate a person’s appetite. While on Ozempic, the digestive process slows down, and patients wind up feeling full for much longer periods of the day.

Changes to the Reward Centers of the Brain

Ozempic can also affect the reward centers in the brain that release dopamine, which gives people pleasure from eating certain kinds of foods. While on Ozempic, a person may find eating certain kinds of foods less gratifying, which can help reduce calorie intake during the day.

Changes to a Person’s Relationship with Food

Since patients may not derive as much pleasure from eating certain kinds of foods, their relationship to these foods may change. Rather than eating sweets or other kinds of junk food, patients may feel like it’s better to have more nutritious foods. In addition, people who are addicted to food or eat as a coping mechanism may no longer have such feelings.

Can Taking Ozempic Change My Personality?

There have been some reports about personality changes related to Ozempic use. These reports use the term “Ozempic personality” to describe the ways that patients have changed while taking the GLP-1 drug.

Most of these personality changes involve differences in a patient’s moods and emotions.

Currently, there isn’t a formal condition known as “Ozempic personality.” Instead, there are just some anecdotal experiences that patients have shared with their doctors and loved ones.

Signs of “Ozempic Personality”

Some of the most common traits that get associated with “Ozempic personality” include:

• Mood swings
• Increased feelings of anxiety
• Increased feelings of depression
• Loss of libido
• Loss of interest in hobbies

In addition to these symptoms, some people on Ozempic have also reported having suicidal thoughts.

Why Does “Ozempic Personality” Happen?

The above symptoms of “Ozempic personality” may be linked to changes in weight as well as the various effects Ozempic has on the reward centers of the brain. Patients who undergo bariatric procedures/weight loss surgery often experience similar changes in mood and their relationship to food.

What Patients Should Do If They Experience “Ozempic Personality”

Professional help can make a difference, especially for people who have just started taking Ozempic.

If you notice mood swings, low feelings, or suicidal ideation after being on Ozempic, be sure to speak with your doctor. You may also discuss seeing a therapist, and if that would be recommended as part of your larger health and wellness journey.

Can Ozempic Cause Brain Fog?

Some patients complain of experiencing brain fog while taking Ozempic. The brain fog may not be caused by Ozempic itself. Instead, this brain fog may be linked to the common side effects people experience in the first weeks of taking Ozempic.

Ozempic Side Effects That May Contribute to Brain Fog

Common Ozempic side effects that could contribute to brain fog include:

• Dehydration
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Reduced calorie intake
• Disrupted sleep
• Fatigue
• Changes in mood

What to Do If You Experience Brain Fog While on Ozempic

As with “Ozempic personality,” it’s best to consult with your doctor if you’re experiencing brain fog or any of the above side effects while you are taking Ozempic.

Health professionals may recommend methods of staying hydrated, certain foods or meals to prepare or avoid, exercises and activities to help with sleep and fatigue, and other strategies to manage symptoms and restore overall feelings of mental clarity and alertness.

Other Diabetes and Weight Loss Drugs That Are Like Ozempic

Ozempic has become a catch-all term for various diabetes and obesity drugs that are extremely popular today. However, Ozempic is the brand name of just one type of these medications.

There are several drugs out there with different brand names but similar effects on patients’ brains and other aspects of their health. These other medications include:

• Rybelsus (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Wegovy (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
• Zepbound (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
• Saxenda (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Victoza (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Trulicity (dulaglutide from Eli Lilly and Company)

Does Ozempic Have Any Benefits for Brain Health?

Possibly, yes. A small study conducted by Oxford University researchers in 2024 found that Ozempic may decrease the chances of cognitive decline and dementia later in life. The same study also showed that Ozempic reduced the likelihood of nicotine addiction, which was likely related to how the drug regulates the reward centers of the brain.

It should be noted that this research is purely observational and based on medical record analysis. This means that the researchers were not able to control for various factors that could also influence brain health and addiction.

What These Potential Brain Health Benefits Could Mean

This study could be important in the coming years if patients start getting prescribed Ozempic to treat conditions other than diabetes or obesity. Ozempic and similar drugs have already proven extremely popular for type 2 diabetes and obesity. It’s been estimated that 1 out of every 8 Americans has taken Ozempic or other GLP-1 medications.

The potential in these initial findings is promising, and it’s more reason why some have hailed Ozempic as a kind of wonder drug. Yet we should point out that not all patients who take Ozempic have had purely positive experiences with semaglutide.

Beyond minor side effects, Ozempic can negatively affect a person’s health and wellness.

Can Ozempic Have Negative Effects on People’s Health?

Yes. While rare, Ozempic can cause severe health complications in some patients, even if they took their semaglutide injections as directed. Some of the medical issues linked to the use of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic include:

• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder problems
• Kidney disease
• Heart palpitations
• Gastrointestinal health problems

When discussing candidacy for Ozempic with a doctor, patients are urged to share their medical history in detail, including any past health issues or a genetic predisposition for certain kinds of medical problems.

Gastrointestinal Problems Caused by Ozempic

In addition to a heightened risk of pancreatitis and gallstones highlighted above, Ozempic patients have also suffered from the following serious gastrointestinal health problems:

• Severe and Prolonged Vomiting – A little nausea and some vomiting are normal when patients take Ozempic. However, some Ozempic patients vomit several times a day for two weeks or more. Frequent bouts of vomiting can cause severe dehydration, malnutrition, irritation and injury to the esophagus, acidic erosion of the tooth enamel, and tooth loss.
• Stomach Paralysis (Gastroparesis) – Stomach paralysis is a condition in which the nerves and muscles of the stomach do not push food into the small intestine for further digestion. If gastroparesis is untreated, it could contribute to malnutrition, dehydration, the formation of a bezoar (a large mass in the stomach), and many other medical problems.
• Intestinal Obstruction – An intestinal obstruction is a blockage in the small intestine or part of the large intestine. Intestinal obstructions prevent food from traveling through a person’s GI tract for digestion and excretion. If an intestinal blockage is not treated, it can cause death of the surrounding intestinal tissue and infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).
• Bowel Obstruction – Bowel obstructions are intestinal blockages that affect the large intestine and colon. Like blockage of the small intestine, an untreated obstruction in the bowel could lead to tissue death, peritonitis, or sepsis.

How Serious Are These Ozempic-Related GI Complications?

Very serious. If an Ozempic patient develops any of these gastrointestinal complications, they need immediate hospitalization and emergency medical treatment. 

In extreme cases of intestinal or bowel obstruction, an Ozempic patient may need surgery and be reliant on the use of an ileostomy bag or a colostomy bag for the rest of their life.

We should also note that these GI health issues could be fatal if someone does not receive urgent medical attention.

Warning Signs of Gastrointestinal Issues Caused by Ozempic

There are several common warning signs of GI issues related to Ozempic use. These symptoms include:

• Frequent nausea
• Excessive vomiting
• Acid reflux (GERD)
• Severe abdominal discomfort
• Bloating or swelling of the abdomen
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of bowel movements

Be sure to seek medical help as soon as you notice any of these symptoms listed above.

Do Ozempic Patients Have Legal Options After Suffering a Medical Emergency?

Potentially, yes. If you were diagnosed with a gastrointestinal health complication caused by Ozempic, the attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can help you file a lawsuit to seek compensation.

Keep in mind that certain criteria must be met to qualify for a lawsuit against the makers of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, and other popular diabetes and weight loss drugs. In addition, please note that this litigation only applies to GI issues, not changes in mental health related to Ozempic use.

As part of your free case evaluation, our lawyers will carefully screen for certain conditions to ensure your eligibility to file a legal claim.

How Bursor & Fisher, P.A. Can Help Injured Ozempic Patients

The attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. have secured numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts over the years, including actions against pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company. We’re ready to be your advocate.

A nationwide leader in complex high-stakes litigation, our law firm has represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans.

How Much Can I Win If I Sue for Ozempic-Related Health Problems?

This depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of your GI problems, the medical treatments you required, and the lasting effects of the Ozempic-related health problems on your livelihood and quality of life. We cannot provide any estimate on how much your Ozempic lawsuit may be worth until we’ve had an opportunity to evaluate the details of your case.

With that in mind, damages sought in an Ozempic injury case can help cover the cost of hospitalization, any emergency medical care, ongoing health expenses, the loss of income, and changes in your future earning potential.

To learn how much your Ozempic case could be worth, it’s best to contact our GLP-1 injury attorneys for a free consultation.

How Much Will It Cost to Hire an Ozempic Injury Attorney?

It costs clients nothing to hire an Ozempic lawyer with Bursor & Fisher, P.A.

In addition to free case evaluations, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay our lawyers anything unless and until we secure compensation for you.

Put simply: if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

How Injured Ozempic Patients Can Learn More About Filing a Lawsuit

If you experienced a serious medical emergency while taking Ozempic as directed, you are not alone. You may be eligible to take legal action against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company, and our weight loss drug lawyers can help.

For more information about seeking compensation from the makers of Ozempic and similar GLP-1 medications, contact the attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for a free case review.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is not a medical provider. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.