GLP-1s and Cannabis: Study Shows 44% Reduction in Use

44%

lower cannabis use in GLP-1 patients

Wang et al. 2024 • Observational Study

Add cannabis to the growing list of substances that GLP-1 medications appear to affect. A 2024 study analyzing health records found that patients taking semaglutide or similar drugs had significantly lower rates of cannabis use.

The Study

🔬 Wang 2024 Analysis

Researchers analyzed electronic health records comparing cannabis use among patients on GLP-1 medications versus matched controls not on these drugs. The finding: 44% lower cannabis use in the GLP-1 group. This held true even after controlling for obesity, diabetes, and other factors that might explain the difference.

What Is Cannabis Use Disorder?

CUD: More Common Than You Think

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) affects about 3 in 10 people who use marijuana. It's characterized by:

Using more than intended
Difficulty cutting back despite wanting to
Spending significant time obtaining, using, or recovering
Cravings
Continued use despite problems it causes

With legalization expanding, CUD rates are rising—and treatment options are limited.

Patient Reports

What People Are Saying

"I've been a daily smoker for 15 years. Since starting Mounjaro, I just... don't think about it. My husband still smokes and I have zero interest in joining him."

"The munchies were half my problem—I'd get high and eat everything. Now I have no appetite anyway, and somehow the desire to smoke went away too."

"I used to need it to sleep. Two months on Ozempic and I realized I hadn't smoked in weeks. Just forgot about it."

Why Would This Happen?

The Dopamine Connection (Again)

THC (the active component in cannabis) triggers dopamine release in reward centers
GLP-1 receptors modulate these same reward pathways
By dampening reward signaling, GLP-1s may reduce the reinforcing effects of cannabis
The "high" becomes less rewarding → less motivation to seek it

This is the same mechanism theorized for reduced alcohol cravings, smoking cessation, and decreased interest in gambling. GLP-1 medications appear to act as a "volume knob" for reward sensitivity across multiple substances and behaviors.

The Munchies Factor

There's also a practical element: one of the primary reasons people use cannabis is appetite stimulation (the "munchies"). If GLP-1 medications are suppressing appetite anyway, the appeal of getting high and eating diminishes.

But the effect appears to go beyond just appetite. People report reduced desire to get high even when food isn't the motivation.

Research Status

This is observational data—meaning we're seeing a correlation, not proving causation. Randomized controlled trials specifically for cannabis use disorder are not yet published. However, the consistency with effects on other substances (alcohol, nicotine) suggests a real phenomenon.

What This Could Mean

Cannabis use disorder currently has no FDA-approved medications. If GLP-1 medications prove effective in clinical trials, they could become the first pharmaceutical treatment for CUD—a significant unmet medical need.

Given the growing legalization of cannabis and rising rates of problematic use, this could matter for millions of people.

The Bottom Line

A 2024 study found 44% lower cannabis use among patients on GLP-1 medications compared to matched controls. This fits the broader pattern: GLP-1s appear to reduce reward-seeking behavior across multiple substances by modulating brain dopamine pathways. While not yet proven in randomized trials for cannabis specifically, the observational evidence is strong enough to warrant further investigation. If you're on a GLP-1 and have noticed decreased interest in marijuana—you're not alone, and there's a plausible biological explanation.

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