GLP-1 Drugs May Reduce Violent Crime, Alcohol Use, Study Suggests

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A new study theorizes that the decline in violent crime across the United States may be linked to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Rutgers University sociology professor Daniel Semenza explored the potential relationship between GLP-1 medications, impulsivity, and violent behavior. Semenza's research compared current GLP-1 users and found that common risk factors for violence, including impulsivity and alcohol use, were lower in people currently on the drugs. Semenza stated that GLP-1 medications may affect parts of the brain involved in reward processing and self-regulation, potentially reducing how strongly people respond to certain urges. The study also suggests that GLP-1 medication may reduce alcohol consumption and craving. Semenza noted that alcohol use was associated with more violent behavior, but this relationship was weaker among current GLP-1 users compared to former users. The research indicates that with 15% of the adult population having taken a GLP-1, tens of millions of Americans could find themselves newly restrained. Separately, the National Restaurant Association's 2026 Restaurant Beverage Trends report found growing interest in a wider range of drink choices, particularly among younger consumers, as restaurants experiment with wellness drinks and alcohol-free cocktails. Chad Moutray, chief economist at the National Restaurant Association, cited the growing use of GLP-1 medications as one of several health trends restaurant operators are watching. He noted that if appetite is suppressed due to GLP-1 drugs, people are not going to drink as much alcohol. Among adults surveyed who do not drink alcohol, 25% cited health reasons, a figure that climbed to 34% among Gen Z nondrinkers.

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