Weight-loss drugs linked to poor mental health in new study
Several popular drugs, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, contain compounds like semaglutide and tirzepatide, which are part of the GLP-1 receptor agonist class.While these drugs have shown weight-loss effects, the study suggests that they could affect certain genes linked to depression.The findings raise serious concerns about the safety of these medications for some people, especially those with specific genetic traits.The study involved 24 researchers from institutions in the United States, Brazil, Iran, and Israel, who examined individuals with hypodopaminergia, a condition characterised by reduced dopamine activity in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, motivation, and reward processing.Using pharmacogenomic analysis, the researchers investigated the interaction between GLP-1 receptor agonists and genes associated with dopamine signalling, including DRD3, BDNF, and CREB1.advertisementThe findings indicate that GLP-1 receptor agonists may disrupt dopamine balance in certain individuals, particularly those with already existing problems in dopamine systems. This disruption may increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.Study experts have warned that the mental health risks linked to these medications should not be ignored. Senior author Dr. Kenneth Blum stressed the need for careful prescribing. "We urge the clinical prescribing community to proceed with caution to avoid another tragic wave of 'people dying to lose weight,'"Co-author of the study Dr. Mark S. Gold added that health authorities like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) should consider updating the warning labels on these drugs to reflect the new findings.The European Medicines Agency has already initiated a review of the safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists, following a rise in reports of psychiatric side effects.In response, the study's authors recommend a more personalised approach to prescribing these medications. This could include genetic testing to help identify individuals who may be at greater risk.Although these drugs remain effective for managing weight and blood sugar levels, the researchers highlighted the importance of regular mental health check-ups.Must Watch
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2 hours ago
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Glow drips, anti-ageing infusions, bridal concoctions—the dicey promise of India's beauty hustlers
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They usually promote enterprises that promise to slay all things 'toxin", 'inflammation", or 'free radicals". Culturally extrapolated to India, they have turned into friends and emancipators of the dark-skinned—the skin colour we as a nation consider a curse. A tour of the rooms of the wellness clinic had me gobsmacked—and even aspirational. It challenged my wellness intelligence a bit. Whole body cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, collagen bed, plush recliners for IV sessions, workout rooms—I got to these chambers after a detailed consultation about my medical history with a certified professional. She specified I would have to go through some tests to qualify for some of these treatments—definitely for IV infusions, the preppy doctor said. Although I did not test-drive the treatments myself, being over-cautious and cynical by nature, I felt such relief when she said there were some pre-conditions to be able to be injected with one of the IV cocktails there. The treatments here cost anywhere between ₹ 8,000 and ₹ ₹ 50,000—the most expensive being the NAD+ IV, which the world's wellness elite hails as the ultimate anti-ageing elixir of the Longevity Age. 'Every IV is prescribed and overseen by a licensed medical doctor, and administered by experienced medical professionals, registered nurses, etc.," Rishabh Jain, who co-founded the Wellness Co. first in Gurugram, and followed by its success, in New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ludhiana, Ahmedabad, and Chennai, and with 'more locations on the horizon", later told me. "Our IV drip formulations are US Food and Drug Administration approved, and only sourced from pharmaceutical-grade compounding pharmacies, so that our clients can trust in the purity and safety of what's going into their bodies. Everything is customized to the individual's health profile, goals, tolerances and medical history, and we monitor their progress closely throughout," said Jain, an Ironman athlete himself. Comprehensive vitals checks are done before an IV is administered, constant monitoring is done during the infusion, and careful observation and follow-ups are done after every session. 'We're also very upfront with our clients about what these therapies can and can't do," he added. The inspiration for Jain and his brother and co-founder Rohan Jain came from their own experiences as sports and wellness enthusiasts at elite wellness destinations like, say, Lanserhof, a medical spa at Waakirchen, Germany, or the SHA at L'Albir, Spain, or Paracelsus in Switzerland. My tour of the Wellness Co. chambers ended in a bit of an anti-climax: When I walked out to Linking Road, the extreme antithesis of the rarefied air of the wellness clinic, the cacophonous and thick-aired city rudely hit me. The ugly hype This tour took place a few days before newsrooms and health media began highlighting why anti-oxidant IVs can be dangerous, as proven by the death of model-actress Shefali Jariwala at age 43 due to a cardiac arrest. She took a Vitamin C IV at her home that day, while she was fasting—and logically, the assumption was that Jariwala was a regular wellness and beauty junkie, used to taking these IV infusions at her own will, as part of her wellness regimen to look good. Before you believe all wellness destinations in India are protocol-obsessed, think again. It is a completely unregulated market. The guidelines of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), which is the only regulatory body for the wellness market, have not lived up to the age. In 2025, wellness is not just a luxury; it is heavily marketed and accessible to all. To test my scepticism, I put in an enquiry at IndiaMART, an Indian business-to-business (B2B) online marketplace, connecting buyers and suppliers, headquartered in Noida, for Glutathione—an antioxidant produced naturally in the human body—that I can buy straight from sellers for home use. During the next 24 hours, I received around 15 calls—all women, all representatives of companies selling Glutathione IV vials, offering me a platter to choose from: 'Snow White', 'Cinderella', 'Aqua Skin', 'Miracle White', and others. They called with exclusive offers from Kolkata, Chandigarh, Chennai, Mumbai, and other cities. A lady from a Mumbai company said she could even hook me up with a qualified nurse who could come to my home and transport the 'Miracle White' to my veins. 'Are you a to-be bride?" asked another sales representative. 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The wellness industry often takes medical terminology such as 'inflammation" or 'free radicals", and levigates it to the point of incomprehension. The resulting product is often a do-it-yourself therapy or an IV infusion that comes with a confidence that science can only aspire for. The antioxidant IV craze, more specifically the Glutathione craze, targeted more at women, is a confident messenger. India's IV hydration therapy market is witnessing rapid growth, with the wellness segment valued at $38.4 million in 2024 and projected to reach $65.1 million by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%, according to US-based market researcher Grand View Research. Globally, the market was valued at $2.32 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $4.23 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.97%. Known as 'the master anti-oxidant", glutathione has had patrons such as Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who owns a wellness empire of her own. In Bollywood, actresses Soha Ali Khan and Ankita Lokhande have openly talked about their glutathione results. The plain truth Without regulations, experts who actually know what glutathione is, are cautious and perplexed. 'When we know we are not getting enough antioxidants through the food we are eating because the quality of food is so not what it used to be for earlier generations, glutathione can do wonders. It is a very powerful antioxidant, and it can help detoxify. You can feel better, have less brain fog, and feel more energetic. The skin quality comes after that," said Dr Niketa Sonavane, a Mumbai-based dermatologist and an outspoken advocate for transparency and regulation in the wellness market. "But who is giving the IV to you? Under what conditions? How's the quality of the product being used? Is it glutathione at all? So it is crucial to do these treatments under proper medical supervision," she cautioned. Usually, treatments involve anywhere from 1,500 to 4,000 milligrams of glutathione, often combined with vitamin C, administered once or twice a week. The human body produces glutathione naturally. Composed of three amino acids—cysteine, L-glutamic acid, and glycine—it plays a crucial role in protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals and toxins. In medicine, glutathione is studied for its potential to treat various conditions. It has been evaluated for use in patients with cystic fibrosis and AIDS, as these individuals can have reduced glutathione production. It's also being researched for its role in inflammatory conditions and its potential to protect against the toxic effects of certain chemotherapy drugs. Some studies have shown that intravenous glutathione can help ease symptoms in people with vascular disease. 'While proponents claim benefits like improved energy, detoxification, and skin health, these treatments are not approved by the USFDA for many of these uses. Potential dangers and side effects include allergic reactions, headaches, nausea, abdominal cramping, and, in rare but severe cases, kidney or liver damage. There have also been reports of serious conditions like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis," said Dr Rashmi Aderao, dermatology consultant at Pune's Ruby Hall Clinic, a chain of multi-speciality hospitals known for their dermatology departments. Both doctors told me that the risk is heightened when the infusions are administered without proper medical supervision, with improper doses, or when combined with other substances like high-dose vitamin C in individuals with G6PD deficiency. 'To take them safely, ensure the treatment is administered by a licensed and experienced medical professional in a sterile clinical setting, and disclose any pre-existing health conditions, especially asthma, kidney or liver disease, and G6PD deficiency," Dr Aderao advised. Like with all things wellness in this largely unregulated, wellness-obsessed, longevity-seeking new world, the benefits of glutathione and antioxidant cocktails are based on nuggets of truth. Just don't trust your bloodstream with it on your own will. Sanjukta Sharma is a Mumbai-based journalist behind the wellness and health IP The Slow Fix. Topics You May Be Interested In
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Time of India
14 hours ago
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First, you'll need to create a USAJobs account and upload a federal-style resume—which is usually much longer and more detailed than private-sector resumes. These resumes should include your full education history, detailed descriptions of work and volunteer experience, skills, certifications, and any honors or awards. Job announcements on the site are detailed and may include questionnaires, writing samples, or transcripts. Be sure to read each posting thoroughly, tailor your application to the specific role, and submit all required documents before the deadline. The citizenship question and international applicants It's important to note that most FDA jobs require US citizenship, especially for permanent roles. However, students or researchers who are not citizens may still be eligible for certain internships or fellowships, especially those run through academic institutions or programs like ORISE. International students interested in working with the FDA should consider partnerships through US universities or look for collaborative opportunities with other international health organizations. The bottom line Joining the FDA is not just about credentials—it's about passion for public service, dedication to science and health, and a willingness to learn. Start early by exploring internship opportunities, talking to mentors in your field, and following the agency's work in current affairs. Working at the FDA means having a front-row seat to decisions that affect millions. For students and young professionals, it's a place where your knowledge can meet real-world impact. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us .
