Next-generation weight-loss and diabetes medications (GLP-1 receptor agonists), such as Ozempic and Wegovy, are increasingly capturing the attention of neuroscientists. Clinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated that, along with weight loss, these medications significantly reduce the consumption of alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and nicotine. However, until now, the exact neurological mechanism of how this hormone-mimicking drug managed to influence the brain’s reward system and block harmful cravings remained a puzzle for scientists.
As noted in an analysis published by the scientific platform The Conversation, neuroscientists have shifted their focus to a specific brain region — the lateral septum. For decades, it was believed that the primary zones responsible for addiction were the dopamine-producing centers (the VTA and NAc); however, the density of GLP-1 receptors within them is very low.
In contrast, the lateral septum, which is responsible for emotional regulation and connectivity with the memory center (the hippocampus), is virtually overloaded with these receptors. The lateral septum integrates spatiotemporal data received from the hippocampus (“where and when we are”) with the associative signal of a specific environment — the degree of reward and satisfaction received. This is precisely how the conscious perception of cravings and pleasure is formed.
Recent experiments have shown that the activation of GLP-1 receptors in the lateral septum directly reduces the desire for both food and alcohol consumption. According to researchers, Ozempic-type medications suppress specific neuronal activity in this part of the brain, preventing it from effectively transmitting “craving and pleasure” signals to the dopamine apparatus. This discovery completely transforms neuroscience’s understanding of the brain’s reward system and indicates that the lateral septum is becoming a primary target for managing addictive habits and eating disorders, laying the foundation for a new era in the treatment of addictions.
