Ozempic and porn: Pharma's strangest plot twist yet
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“It isn’t easy to kick this... Because porn shrinks your world." — Aline Zoldbrod, PhD, psychologist and sex therapist
Find more of your peers' perspectives and insights below.
Though there’s debate about whether people can actually be addicted to porn, experts agree there are some individuals who use it so compulsively it may require treatment from a healthcare professional.
There is no magic bullet for treating problematic porn use—studies of psychotherapeutic and pharmacological approaches have shown promise but without definitive results.[] But with the rise of medications like Ozempic, which has been shown to reduce addiction cravings for things like alcohol and gambling, researchers are exploring how these could potentially be used to treat pornography addiction. So, what does the science say? Let’s dive in.
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Signs that medications may work
Case reports indicate that drugs used for the treatment of opioid and alcohol use disorders, including naltrexone and nalmefene, may reduce porn use.[][]
In addition, Aline Zoldbrod, PhD, a psychologist and sex therapist, tells MDLinx that psychotropic medications that treat co-existing conditions like depression and anxiety may be beneficial in individuals who are watching too much porn.
Some experts believe that GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), which have grown wildly popular due to their weight-loss effects, may be able to help people with porn addiction: Research suggests these medications may help alleviate disorders related to use of tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis.[][][] Birches Health, a treatment facility specializing in addiction recovery, suggests that semaglutide might, therefore, have an impact on behavioral addictions, like those involving excessive porn use or shopping.[]
Related: Could Ozempic treat gambling addictions?Other potential therapies
Dr. Zoldbrod says referral to a specialist for therapy is a good approach for people struggling with excessive porn use, pointing to the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH) as a resource when seeking professionals trained in addressing these types of problems.[] There are also online and in-person support groups, like Sex Addicts Anonymous, that may be useful.[]
In addition to various medications that may be tried, treatment strategies can include cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques. Affected individuals can also benefit from identifying other activities that give them pleasure, like playing sports, exercising, baking, or spending time with friends.
“Find other things that bring you joy so that there’s something to substitute when you’re feeling blue or lonely or you’re just feeling that sadness, that emptiness, in your body… Because porn shrinks your world,” Dr. Zoldbrod says.
Whatever approach is chosen, it’s critical for people to find something that provides the level of support they need: “Because it isn’t easy to kick this,” she says.
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