GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have become synonymous with weight loss, but their role in medicine is rapidly expanding.

In 2026, experts are increasingly looking beyond the scales as evidence suggests these medicines could benefit the heart and kidneys, while researchers are also investigating whether they could help people with certain addictive behaviours.

The trend was named the top health trend for 2026 by US News & World Report, with 52% of its panel of 58 health experts selecting expanded GLP-1 use as one of their top two trends. But promising research does not mean every GLP-1 drug is approved for every condition.

From Weight Loss to Heart Health

GLP-1 receptor agonists were initially developed primarily to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. Their ability to reduce appetite and promote weight loss subsequently transformed obesity treatment.

Research has since suggested cardiovascular benefits that may extend beyond weight reduction.

For example, the SELECT trial found that semaglutide reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events in people with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease who did not have diabetes. More recent evidence continues to examine how GLP-1 medicines may protect against heart-related complications across different patient groups.

A 2026 review of major cardiovascular and kidney trials reported reductions of around 13% to 20% in major adverse cardiovascular events across several GLP-1 studies.

Kidney Protection Is Another Focus

Researchers are also investigating GLP-1 medicines as treatments for kidney disease. The FLOW trial found that semaglutide reduced the risk of clinically important kidney outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The findings helped strengthen interest in GLP-1 medicines as part of broader cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic care.

However, patients should not assume that an obesity drug can automatically replace established kidney treatments. Whether a GLP-1 medicine is appropriate depends on the person's diagnosis, existing medications, and overall health.

Could GLP-1 Drugs Help With Addiction?

Perhaps one of the most unexpected areas of research is addiction. Scientists are investigating whether GLP-1 medicines could influence reward pathways in the brain and reduce cravings or consumption of substances such as alcohol. Early findings are interesting, but this remains an emerging area of research rather than an established treatment for addiction.

This distinction matters. A drug being studied for a potential new use does not mean doctors can routinely prescribe it for that condition or that its benefits and risks are fully understood.

Why Are These Drugs Expanding So Quickly?

One reason is that GLP-1 receptors are involved in more than blood sugar regulation. These medicines influence appetite, digestion and signalling between the gut and brain, prompting researchers to investigate their effects across multiple organ systems.

At the same time, use is increasing rapidly. A Gallup poll reported in July found that 11% of US adults were currently taking GLP-1 medicines to lose weight, compared with 3% in 2024.

Greater use also means researchers have more opportunities to study how these medicines perform outside their original indications.

What Does This Mean For Patients?

The expansion of GLP-1 research could eventually give doctors more tools to treat interconnected conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease.

But patients should be cautious about viewing medicines as a universal solution. GLP-1 drugs can cause side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation, and they require appropriate medical supervision.

Most importantly, new research is not the same as a new approved treatment. People should not start, stop, or repurpose a GLP-1 medicine based on social-media claims or preliminary findings.

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