Scientists from the University of Copenhagen have found that the obesity and diabetes drug liraglutide may be effective in combating nicotine addiction. The results of the work are published in the journal Cell Reports

In a study on mice, the researchers studied two well-known appetite inhibitors: GLP-1, which is a constituent of liraglutide, and nicotine. Nicotine is known to increase energy expenditure, and many people who stop using the substance subsequently gain weight.

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It turned out that the combination of GLP-1 and nicotine has a greater effect on the body than either of the two compounds separately. This is because the two drugs act on the same neurons in specific parts of the brain. GLP-1 not only reduces food intake; it also causes the body to release less dopamine, reducing nicotine cravings.

In October 2022, members of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECN) found that nicotine affects hormonal processes in women. Even a small amount of this compound reduces the concentration of the CYP19A1 C enzyme involved in the production of estrogen in the deep layers of the brain.