GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Linked to Higher Risk of Depression and Suicidal Thoughts, Study Finds

GLP-1 weight-loss medications have transformed the treatment of obesity, helping millions of people lose significant amounts of weight. However, a new observational study from South Korea has raised fresh questions about the relationship between weight-loss medications, mental health and what happens when people regain weight after treatment.

The study suggests that people who reported using prescription weight-loss medications had higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts than people who did not report using the drugs. Researchers also found that the association with suicidal thoughts appeared to become stronger among people who experienced substantial weight regain.

However, the findings should be interpreted carefully. The study was observational, meaning it cannot establish that GLP-1 medications directly cause depression or suicidal thoughts.

What did the new study find?

Researchers analyzed health information from approximately 27,000 adults participating in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2022.

Among the participants, 846 reported using prescription weight-loss medication. Around 60 percent of the overall study population were women, while approximately 90 percent of those reporting weight-loss medication use were women.

According to the study findings, people who reported using weight-loss medication had higher odds of experiencing depression compared with non-users.

About 22 percent of weight-loss medication users reported depression, compared with approximately 11 percent of people who did not use the medications.

The researchers also reported a difference in suicidal thoughts. Nearly 10 percent of medication users reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, compared with around 4.5 percent of non-users.

The analysis estimated that weight-loss medication users had 93 percent higher odds of reporting depression and 168 percent higher odds of reporting suicidal thoughts.

Importantly, these figures represent an association rather than proof that the medication itself caused the mental health problems.

Weight regain may be an important factor

One of the most notable findings involved people who regained weight after receiving a prescription for a weight-loss medication.

Researchers reported that people who regained between approximately 13 and 22 pounds had 65 percent higher odds of reporting suicidal thoughts compared with those who regained around 6 to 13 pounds.

The same group had 36 percent higher odds of reporting that they had planned suicide and 30 percent higher odds of having sought mental health counseling.

The association was even larger among participants who reported regaining more than 22 pounds.

This group had 267 percent higher odds of reporting suicidal thoughts, 96 percent higher odds of reporting suicide planning and 70 percent higher odds of having sought mental health counseling.

Interestingly, the researchers did not find that weight regain was associated with a higher likelihood of depression itself.

These findings raise questions about whether the psychological impact of losing and subsequently regaining weight could play a role in mental health outcomes.

Weight regain can be emotionally difficult for some people, particularly when they have invested considerable time, money and effort into losing weight. Feelings of disappointment, stigma, frustration or perceived treatment failure could potentially affect psychological wellbeing.

However, the study does not establish that weight regain caused suicidal thoughts.

What are GLP-1 drugs?

GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications that mimic the effects of a naturally occurring hormone involved in blood sugar regulation and appetite.

Some of the best-known medications in this broader category include semaglutide and tirzepatide. Brand names include Wegovy and Zepbound for certain weight-management indications.

These medications can significantly reduce appetite and food intake, helping eligible patients achieve substantial weight loss when combined with appropriate medical care.

Because obesity is itself associated with numerous physical and psychological health risks, researchers have been closely examining the broader effects of these medications.

Mental health has been an important part of that safety discussion.

FDA review found no increased suicide risk

The new South Korean findings come after regulators in the United States conducted an extensive review of the potential relationship between GLP-1 medications and suicidal behavior.

In January 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requested that manufacturers remove warnings about suicidal ideation and behavior from the labels of certain GLP-1 medications approved for weight management.

The FDA said its comprehensive evaluation did not identify an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

The review included 91 placebo-controlled clinical trials involving 107,910 people. The FDA said the analysis did not show an increased risk of suicidal ideation or behavior, depression, anxiety, irritability or psychosis among people receiving GLP-1 medications.

The agency also examined healthcare claims involving more than 2.2 million people and found no increased risk of intentional self-harm among GLP-1 users compared with people taking SGLT2 inhibitors.

That makes the latest observational findings particularly important to interpret in context.

Why the new research does not prove causation

Observational studies can identify patterns that deserve further investigation, but they have important limitations.

For example, people who take weight-loss medications may differ from non-users in many ways. They may have different levels of obesity, existing medical conditions, previous mental health difficulties, socioeconomic circumstances or experiences with dieting and weight stigma.

Some of these factors may influence both medication use and mental health.

The researchers adjusted their analysis for certain characteristics, including age and sex, but statistical adjustment cannot eliminate every possible source of confounding.

The study also reportedly did not identify which specific GLP-1 medications participants used. That makes it difficult to determine whether the findings apply equally to different drugs.

Researchers also did not establish whether participants continued taking their medication when they regained weight.

More research will therefore be needed before scientists can determine whether the associations identified in this study represent a medication-related effect, the psychological consequences of weight cycling or other underlying factors.

What should patients do?

People taking GLP-1 medications should not stop treatment simply because of this study.

Anyone experiencing new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, significant changes in mood or unusual behavior should speak with a healthcare professional promptly.

The FDA itself continues to advise patients to discuss concerning mood or behavioral changes with their healthcare providers, despite finding no increased overall risk associated with GLP-1 drugs.

For people who regain weight after treatment, the situation can also be discussed with a doctor or obesity specialist. Weight regain does not mean that treatment has failed, and it can be part of the long-term nature of obesity management.

The bottom line

The latest South Korean study adds another piece to the ongoing research into GLP-1 medications and mental health. It found an association between reported weight-loss medication use and higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts, with particularly strong associations among people who reported substantial weight regain.

But the results do not prove that GLP-1 drugs cause depression or suicidal behavior.

In fact, the findings need to be considered alongside the FDA's much larger safety review, which found no increased risk of suicidal ideation or behavior among GLP-1 users.

The most reasonable conclusion for now is that mental health should remain part of comprehensive obesity care. Patients and clinicians should consider both the physical benefits and psychological wellbeing of people receiving weight-management treatment, while further research investigates whether weight regain or other factors may help explain the associations seen in observational studies.

Source: South Korean observational study and study details supplied for this report, together with U.S. Food and Drug Administration safety information concerning GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Do not stop, change or discontinue a prescription medication without consulting a qualified healthcare professional. Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or feeling at immediate risk should seek urgent emergency help or contact an appropriate crisis service in their country.