Popular GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy are best known for helping people lose weight and manage diabetes. New research from Rutgers University suggests these drugs may also be linked to changes in behaviors associated with violence.
The study, published in Criminology, investigated whether GLP-1 receptor agonists influence violent criminal behavior in adults. Researchers focused on whether the medications might alter the effects of two factors that are strongly connected to violence: impulsivity and alcohol consumption.
GLP-1 Drugs and Violent Behavior
To explore the question, researchers analyzed data from a 2025 survey involving 7,521 adults across the United States. Their main analysis concentrated on 821 people who had used a GLP-1 medication at some point.
The team compared current users with former users and examined how medication use affected the relationship between violent behavior, impulsivity, and alcohol use. Violent behavior was assessed using a validated self-report measure that included actions such as fighting, assault, and robbery.
