Metabolic drugs can dampen the brain's reward for impulsive behavior
By crossing the blood-brain barrier, metabolic medications can bind to the brain's reward centers and physically reduce the urge for impulsive or addictive behaviors.
Glucagon like peptide 1, or GLP-1, is a hormone naturally produced by the small intestine to manage insulin and blood sugar. While the body typically degrades this hormone in about two minutes, modern synthetic versions are engineered to resist enzymatic breakdown, allowing them to circulate for days or weeks. While these drugs were designed to treat diabetes and obesity, they have revealed an unexpected influence over the human brain.
Continue Reading in App
2 more paragraphs · plus a 3-question quiz