Scientists From the University of Gothenburg Report That Tirzepatide Reduces Alcohol Consumption Dramatically in Laboratory Rats and Mice

Scientists at the University of Gothenburg have found that tirzepatide, the active ingredient in the diabetes and weight-loss medication Mounjaro, significantly cut alcohol consumption in laboratory rodents.

According to the new study published in eBioMedicine, the compound reduced voluntary alcohol intake by more than half, a striking result that researchers say could open doors for exploring its effects on human alcohol use.

In experiments, rats and mice normally given free access to alcohol drank far less when administered tirzepatide.

Even in scenarios simulating binge drinking or relapse, the drug blunted the usual rebound effect, where animals ramp up alcohol consumption after a period of abstinence.

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Consistent Effects Across Sexes and Behavioral Models

The researchers tested tirzepatide across multiple well-established addiction models to ensure the findings weren’t just a fluke.

Both male and female animals showed similar reductions in alcohol intake, suggesting that the effect is likely biological rather than incidental.

“This consistency gives us confidence that tirzepatide is influencing core neural mechanisms linked to alcohol-seeking behavior,” the study authors explained.

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How Tirzepatide May Influence the Brain’s Reward System

The team highlighted that tirzepatide appears to interact with the brain’s reward pathways, which are critical in motivation and addiction.

Specifically, the compound reduced alcohol-triggered changes in dopamine, the key neurotransmitter associated with reinforcement and pleasure.

The lateral septum, a brain region tied to reward processing and relapse behavior, showed protein-level changes linked to gene regulation.

While the findings are intriguing, researchers caution that this does not prove direct causation, and more work is needed to pinpoint how tirzepatide acts in the brain.

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Not Yet Ready as a Treatment for Alcohol Dependence

The scientists were quick to emphasize that these results are limited to animal studies.

Tirzepatide has not been tested for alcohol dependence in humans, and the researchers are clear that these findings alone do not justify using the drug for this purpose.

Still, the results contribute to a growing field exploring how metabolic and hormonal medications—originally designed for diabetes or weight loss—might modulate neural circuits involved in addiction and behavioral regulation.

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Broader Implications for Addiction Research

If future studies confirm similar effects in humans, tirzepatide or related compounds could represent a new class of treatment that targets both the metabolic and neurochemical underpinnings of addictive behaviors.

Experts suggest this could complement existing therapies, such as behavioral interventions or pharmacological treatments like naltrexone.

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What’s Next?

The research team plans to:

• Conduct human clinical trials to evaluate safety and efficacy in people with alcohol use disorder.

• Study mechanisms in other brain regions involved in addiction and reward.

• Explore whether tirzepatide affects other addictive behaviors, such as cravings for sugar or nicotine.

• Investigate potential combination therapies with existing addiction treatments for greater effectiveness.

The hope is that these findings will inspire a new approach to tackling alcohol dependence, linking metabolic health to behavioral outcomes.

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Summary

By EIRIAN JANE PROSSER, SENIOR REPORTER

A new study from the University of Gothenburg finds that tirzepatide, a compound in the diabetes and weight-loss drug Mounjaro, dramatically reduced alcohol consumption in rats and mice.

Researchers observed a more than 50% decrease in voluntary drinking, including binge-like patterns and relapse models.

The drug appears to influence the brain’s reward system, particularly dopamine signaling in the lateral septum, though the exact mechanisms remain unclear.

While promising, these results are limited to animal studies, and clinical trials in humans are needed to determine whether tirzepatide could become a treatment for alcohol dependence.