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Ziyad Al-Aly

Ziyad Al-Aly

Clinical epidemiologist, Washington University in St. Louis

Appears in 2 stories

Notable Quotes

"It works uniformly, not because it acts against alcohol or opioids or nicotine specifically, but because it is likely acting against the craving itself. It blunts that craving that pulls people toward whatever they're addicted to." — Ziyad Al-Aly, March 2026

Stories

GLP-1 weight loss drugs face scrutiny over muscle loss, but new research suggests fears may be overblown

New Capabilities

Active researcher studying GLP-1 benefits and risks

More than 30 million Americans now take GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight. A persistent concern has dogged the medications since their rise: that they burn through muscle along with fat, leaving patients weaker even as they get thinner.

Updated May 30

Weight-loss drugs show broad power to prevent and reduce addiction

New Capabilities

Lead author of the March 2026 BMJ study

Drugs designed to control blood sugar and shrink waistlines may also quiet the cravings that drive addiction. A March 4 BMJ study of more than 600,000 U.S. veterans found GLP-1 users were 14 percent less likely to develop a new substance use disorder.

Updated May 30