As demand for weight-loss injections sold under brand names such as Ozempic and Wegovy continues to soar, a study has uncovered neurological and behavioral health benefits amid risks for pancreatitis and kidney disease.

The media queen also confessed that she was reluctant to take a GLP-1 drug because she felt it was “the easy way out.” That changed after a special on weight loss with experts and clinicians that she taped in July 2023. The panel discussion left her with her “biggest aha moment” about the medication.

Popular GLP-1 medications approved for weight loss, diabetes, and heart disease may have untapped potential to reduce the risks of substance abuse disorders, psychosis, infections, some kinds of cancer and dementia,

The findings, based on an analysis of records from 2.5 million VA patients, support much of what scientists already suspected but contain surprises, too.

In all, researchers found that people taking GLP-1 medications had lower risks for 42 health outcomes, including liver failure, lung failure, cardiac arrest, aspiration pneumonia and shock.

Some outcomes, like reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and increased chance of nausea, were expected. But others took researchers by surprise.

Over 2 million people were included in new research to test these drugs against 175 different health outcomes.

Obesity expert Dr. Naomi Parrella of Rush University joins Marie Saavedra to talk about the new study and the impact for patients.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have rapidly emerged as game-changers in treating diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Commonly marketed under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy,

ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Tara Narula explains the findings of a new study on GLP-1 drugs commonly used for weight loss.