UC Researcher Explores Using GLP-1s to Treat Substance Abuse

John Winhusen leads study pairing GLP-1 medications with buprenorphine to improve opioid addiction treatment retention.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:51pm

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The University of Cincinnati's John Winhusen, PhD, was featured in a Rolling Stone article discussing the potential for GLP-1 medications to help treat substance abuse disorders. Winhusen is leading one of the largest trials in the country pairing GLP-1s with buprenorphine, one of the currently approved treatments for opioid use disorder, in an effort to keep patients in treatment longer and reduce cravings.

Why it matters

The opioid crisis continues to devastate communities across the United States, with overdose deaths reaching record highs. Improving access to effective treatment options is crucial, as stigma and other barriers often prevent patients from getting the care they need. Winhusen's research explores using GLP-1 medications, which are designed to control appetite, as a novel approach to enhancing existing substance abuse treatments.

The details

GLP-1s are designed to activate the pancreas to release more insulin, controlling peoples' appetites and leaving them feeling fuller longer. But researchers have also found the medications can interact with neural reward networks in the brain, with the potential to reduce cravings. Winhusen is leading a study pairing GLP-1s with buprenorphine, one of the three main medications used to treat substance abuse disorder. "One of the biggest challenges in treating opioid use disorder is actually keeping people in treatment long enough for them to benefit from it," Winhusen said. He hopes the addition of GLP-1s can help address this issue.

  • The University of Cincinnati study is currently underway.
  • The Rolling Stone article featuring Winhusen's research was published on April 1, 2026.

The players

John Winhusen

The principal investigator and lead author of the University of Cincinnati study, director of the UC /UC Health Addiction Center, Donald C. Harrison endowed chair in medicine, vice chair of addiction sciences and professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience in UC's College of Medicine.

Rolling Stone

The magazine that published the article featuring Winhusen's research on using GLP-1 medications to treat substance abuse disorders.

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What they’re saying

“If people can't access treatment, we're definitely going to see an increase in overdose deaths.”

— John Winhusen, Principal Investigator and Lead Author

“One of the biggest challenges in treating opioid use disorder is actually keeping people in treatment long enough for them to benefit from it.”

— John Winhusen, Principal Investigator and Lead Author

What’s next

Winhusen's study pairing GLP-1 medications with buprenorphine is ongoing, and the results will be closely watched for their potential to improve treatment retention and outcomes for those struggling with opioid addiction.

The takeaway

As the opioid crisis continues to devastate communities, innovative approaches to enhancing existing treatment options are crucial. Winhusen's research exploring the use of GLP-1 medications to reduce cravings and keep patients in treatment longer represents a promising new avenue for addressing this public health emergency.