Highlights
Could weight loss drugs be influencing criminal behavior? Some data suggests that they might.
Numerous factors beyond weight loss medications are being considered for their impact on crime, such as the declining number of young people in the population, reduced alcohol and drug use, fewer mental health crises, and the significant loss of life due to drug overdoses. These trends could challenge conventional beliefs about what influences crime.
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Author
Leonard Adam Sipes, Jr.
Leonard Adam Sipes, Jr. has served in various roles, including as a Senior Specialist for Crime Prevention and Statistics at the Department of Justice’s clearinghouse, Director of Information Services at the National Crime Prevention Council, and as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Criminology and Public Affairs at the University of Maryland, University College. He is also a former police officer and retired federal senior spokesperson.
He has advised presidential and gubernatorial campaigns, contributed to the “McGruff-Take a Bite Out of Crime” national media campaign, and produced state anti-crime media campaigns.
With 35 years of experience in public relations for criminal justice agencies, Sipes has been interviewed numerous times by national news outlets, focusing on crime statistics and research. He pioneered state and federal podcasting series and developed a proactive public relations style in government.
He holds a Certificate of Advanced Study from The Johns Hopkins University.
Sipes authored “Success With The Media: Everything You Need To Survive Reporters and Your Organization,” available on Amazon and other bookstores.
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A comprehensive overview of crime in recent years is available at “Violent and Property Crime Rates In The U.S.“
Notes
The topic of GLP drugs and their connection to crime was discussed on this site in early July 2026 in the article “Sorry Reporters-Why Crime Has No Easy Answers.”
Article
How might weight-loss drugs influence crime?
Criminal behavior theories are numerous and often debated. I cautioned my criminology students at a state university that few theories would fit into the modern understanding of criminality.
Currently, there is speculation that GLP weight loss drugs might affect drug and alcohol use and impulsivity, which are all linked to violence and overall criminal activity.
Background
When I was a senior specialist for crime prevention at the Department of Justice’s clearinghouse, the debate was whether criminals planned their actions or mainly reacted to unexpected opportunities.
The general consensus was that most crimes were spontaneous and impulsive. Earlier studies conducted in specific cities showed that the majority of arrested individuals tested positive for drugs or alcohol, which can significantly impact behavior.
At the time, it was believed that crime could largely be prevented through citizen vigilance, which was the basis for McGruff the Crime Dog’s “Take A Bite Out of Crime” campaign.
I was the one at the National Crime Prevention Council who supplied the national advertising team with research and statistics for the acclaimed McGruff national campaign.
Measures like locking doors and windows reduced burglaries, and moving in groups lessened the likelihood of experiencing violent crime. Surveys of offenders confirmed the effectiveness of home security measures.
Substance abuse likely fueled the impulsive nature of criminality at the core of that campaign.
In an interview with a prisoner, he described assaulting a woman who drove onto his street. He said, “If she was that stupid to drive on my street and ask for directions, she deserved to get what she got.” He was under the influence of drugs at the time.
Biology and Crime: Can Our Bodies Influence Criminal Behavior?
For over a century, criminologists have investigated the role of biology in criminal behavior. Biological factors can alter a person’s risk levels.
Some theories suggest that genetic traits like impulsivity or aggression might predispose individuals to criminal behavior.
Why This Is Interesting Today
Fifty years ago, efforts were made to change the brain through psychosurgery or implanted electrodes.
Today, researchers are investigating whether weight loss drugs like GLP-1 receptor agonists could affect brain circuits tied to:
- impulsivity,
- reward,
- aggression,
- addiction to drugs or alcohol
- decision-making.
This means that rather than implanting electrodes, it might be possible to pharmacologically influence these neural pathways in the future.
This context places the current GLP-1 discussion in historical perspective, showing that while technology has advanced significantly, the fundamental question remains: Can neuroscience aid in preventing violent behavior?
New Research Raises Intriguing Questions About Impulse Control, Addiction, and Public Safety
Millions of Americans use medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound for diabetes management or weight loss. These drugs are known to reduce appetite, lower heart disease risk, improve blood sugar, and potentially protect kidneys.
Researchers are now considering another potential benefit: Could these medications also decrease impulsivity, reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol, and possibly lower certain forms of violent crime over time?
Currently, the answer is unclear. However, recent research indicates that this question warrants further investigation.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Use and Violent Crime Among US Adults, The Journal of Criminology
A study published in the Journal of Criminology specifically examined the link between GLP-1 use and violent crime.
The research analyzed health records from over two million diabetic patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists, which include Ozempic and related drugs.
Rather than focusing solely on weight loss, the researchers evaluated 175 different health outcomes.
Those on these medications were found to be less likely to develop several conditions, such as:
- Alcohol use disorders.
- Drug use disorders.
- Suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
- Some neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Where Crime Enters the Picture
The study did not specifically look at violent crime rates or whether GLP-1 users committed fewer assaults, robberies, or homicides.
Instead, the connection to criminal justice stems from existing knowledge about impulsive behavior.
For years, criminologists have noted that poor impulse control is a strong predictor of violent offenses. Individuals who act without thinking are more prone to engage in assaults, domestic violence, road rage, and other aggressive acts.
Researchers now believe GLP-1 medications may affect brain regions involved in reward, cravings, decision-making, and self-control.
If future studies verify that these drugs enhance impulse control, their implications could extend far beyond medicine.
Alcohol May Be the Bigger Story
The most significant link to criminal justice might involve alcohol.
Alcohol is a major contributor to violent crimes in the U.S., including assaults, domestic violence, sexual assaults, and many homicides. It is also a key factor in impaired driving and disorderly conduct arrests.
If GLP-1 medications diminish alcohol cravings or help individuals drink less, as several recent studies suggest, they could indirectly reduce crimes related to excessive alcohol consumption.
This possibility has attracted growing interest from both medical researchers and criminologists.
Medical research is also exploring ways to enhance brain health and minimize biological factors that contribute to impulsive behavior and addiction.
If medications can effectively reduce substance abuse or improve self-control, they might become part of a broader strategy to prevent crimes before they occur.
While this idea remains speculative, it reflects a growing awareness that crime is influenced by a complex mix of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Stanford: GLP-1s Show Promise For Opioid, Alcohol, And Nicotine Addiction
Early studies indicate that GLP-1s might be effective in treating opioid, alcohol, and nicotine addiction. One small study found that a GLP-1 medication reduced cravings for opioids by 40% over three weeks in patients with opioid use disorder. Another study showed that people with opioid or alcohol use disorder who took GLP-1s experienced a 40% lower rate of opioid overdose and a 50% lower rate of alcohol intoxication than those not on the medications.
Conclusions
Reported crime has seen a slight decline in 2023 and 2024, according to the FBI. Cities are noting more significant reductions, and some predict that 2025 will show even more meaningful decreases when data becomes available.
However, most crime goes unreported. The USDOJ’s National Crime Victimization Survey reveals substantial increases in violent crime rates (44 percent) in recent years. Gallup indicates that fraud and identity theft exceed all FBI-reported crimes.
Analyzing crime data is complex. Depending on the source, one could argue for both increasing and decreasing crime rates using Gallup and USDOJ data.
On a positive note, alcohol consumption—a significant factor in violent crime—appears to be declining. The younger population in America is shrinking, and criminology 101 suggests that crime correlates with the number and proportion of young people in society. Mental health issues and substance use among the youth are also decreasing.
Another potential reason for fewer reported crimes is the high overdose mortality rate among chronic substance users, which has claimed nearly two million lives over time.
It is plausible to ask whether overdose mortality has removed enough high-rate offenders to impact crime statistics, though this possibility has not been extensively studied.
Research is increasingly documenting that weight loss drugs may affect impulsive behavior and drug and alcohol use.
If reported crime is decreasing, there might be reasons we have yet to consider.
Currently, the science supports cautious optimism about the impact of weight loss drugs, but it doesn’t yet justify definitive claims that these drugs reduce violence. The question remains an intriguing one that deserves further exploration.
