Researchers tested whether a dietary supplement that boosts a natural body chemical called GLP-1 could reduce how much people are drawn to alcohol. In this study, 40 young adults who drink heavily received either the supplement or a fake version on two different days. The supplement successfully increased GLP-1 levels in their blood and made them less likely to focus their attention on alcohol-related images. However, it didn’t change how much they actually wanted to drink or how they felt after having a drink. These findings suggest that boosting this natural chemical might help reduce alcohol’s appeal at a subconscious level, though more research is needed to confirm these results.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a dietary supplement that increases a natural body chemical (GLP-1) could reduce how attracted people are to alcohol cues and reduce their desire to drink.
  • Who participated: 40 healthy young adults (ages not specified in abstract) who regularly drink alcohol. Each person participated in two separate test sessions.
  • Key finding: The dietary supplement significantly increased GLP-1 levels in the blood and reduced how much people’s eyes and attention were drawn to alcohol-related images, compared to a placebo. However, it did not reduce stated cravings or change how people felt after drinking.
  • What it means for you: This suggests that boosting a natural body chemical might help reduce alcohol’s appeal at an unconscious level, but the effect is subtle and doesn’t directly reduce the desire to drink. More research is needed before this could become a real treatment option.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of scientific studies. Forty young adults who drink regularly came to the lab on two separate days. On each day, they received either a special dietary supplement designed to boost GLP-1 (a natural chemical their body makes) or a placebo (fake supplement) that had the same calories. The order was randomized, meaning it was randomly decided which day each person got the real supplement versus the fake one. Blood samples were taken before and 40 minutes after taking the supplement to measure GLP-1 levels. Then participants were given a small amount of alcohol (enough to reach a blood alcohol level of 30 mg%) and researchers measured how much their attention was drawn to alcohol-related images, how much they wanted to drink, and how the alcohol made them feel.

This research design is important because it allows scientists to see if the dietary supplement directly causes changes in GLP-1 and alcohol responses, rather than just observing a connection. By using a placebo (fake supplement) as a comparison, researchers can be confident that any differences are due to the real supplement, not just the power of suggestion or other factors. Testing this in a controlled lab setting allows precise measurement of attention and blood chemistry.

This study has several strengths: it used a randomized design (considered the gold standard), included a placebo control group, and measured actual blood GLP-1 levels rather than just assuming the supplement worked. However, the sample size is relatively small (40 people), and all participants were young, healthy heavy drinkers, so results may not apply to other groups. The study was published in Psychopharmacology, a respected peer-reviewed journal. The findings are preliminary and should be confirmed by larger studies before drawing firm conclusions.

What the Results Show

The dietary supplement successfully increased GLP-1 levels in participants’ blood compared to placebo. This increase was statistically significant, meaning it was very unlikely to have happened by chance. More importantly, when GLP-1 levels were higher, participants showed reduced ‘attentional bias’ to alcohol—meaning their eyes and attention were less drawn to alcohol-related images compared to when they received the placebo. There was a clear relationship between how much GLP-1 increased and how much less attention people paid to alcohol cues. The effect size was moderate, suggesting a meaningful but not dramatic change in how people’s brains responded to alcohol-related images.

Interestingly, the supplement did not reduce how much participants said they wanted to drink (craving), and it did not change how they reported feeling after consuming the small amount of alcohol. This suggests that the supplement’s effect was happening at an unconscious or automatic level—affecting what their brains paid attention to—rather than changing their conscious desire to drink or how alcohol made them feel.

Previous animal studies and some human studies suggested that activating GLP-1 receptors (the body’s ’locks’ that this chemical fits into) might reduce alcohol consumption and reward. This study provides some human evidence supporting that idea, but only for the automatic attention response, not for conscious craving or subjective effects. The findings align with the theory that GLP-1 affects the ‘wanting’ system in the brain (implicit motivation) more than the ’liking’ system (conscious pleasure).

The study only included 40 people, all young and healthy, so results may not apply to older adults, people with alcohol use disorder, or those with other health conditions. The study only tested acute (short-term) effects—we don’t know if repeated use of the supplement would have lasting effects on alcohol consumption. The supplement was given in a controlled lab setting, which is very different from real-world drinking situations. Additionally, the study only measured attention bias to images; it didn’t measure actual alcohol consumption behavior. The effects on attention were statistically significant but modest in size.

The Bottom Line

Based on this preliminary research, there is low-to-moderate confidence that dietary supplements that boost GLP-1 might help reduce unconscious attraction to alcohol. However, this is early-stage research, and the effects are subtle. This should not be used as a standalone treatment for alcohol problems. Anyone concerned about their alcohol use should speak with a healthcare provider about evidence-based treatments. This research is interesting but not yet ready for practical application.

This research is most relevant to people interested in alcohol reduction strategies and researchers studying how the brain responds to alcohol. It may eventually be relevant to people struggling with alcohol use, but much more research is needed. This is NOT a treatment recommendation for anyone at this stage. People with alcohol use disorder should consult healthcare providers about proven treatments like therapy or medication.

This study only measured immediate effects (40 minutes after taking the supplement). We don’t know how long effects would last or whether repeated use would be more effective. Any real-world benefits would likely take weeks or months to become apparent, if they occur at all.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users could track ‘attention to alcohol cues’ by noting how often they notice alcohol advertisements, images, or mentions in their daily life, and rating their level of interest (1-10 scale). This would provide a simple way to monitor changes in unconscious attraction to alcohol over time.
  • If this research eventually leads to a practical intervention, users could log when they take a GLP-1-boosting supplement and track their subsequent alcohol consumption, cravings, and attention to alcohol-related triggers. This would help identify personal patterns and effectiveness.
  • Long-term tracking could include weekly logs of alcohol consumption, daily ratings of alcohol cravings (1-10), and periodic assessments of how often alcohol-related cues capture their attention. Users could also track mood and other factors that might influence drinking behavior to identify what actually helps them reduce consumption.

This research is preliminary and should not be used as medical advice or a treatment for alcohol use disorder. The study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting with a small group of healthy young adults, so results may not apply to everyone. If you are struggling with alcohol use, please consult with a healthcare provider or mental health professional about evidence-based treatments. Do not start any dietary supplements without discussing them with your doctor, especially if you take medications or have health conditions. This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical guidance.