ISSN: 2940-3243

Letter

LP-1 Therapeutics Expand Beyond Metabolism: Implications for Mind–Body Medicine

by Tobias Esch, MD, Co-Director ¹ and George B. Stefano²

Abstract

The following letter positions GLP-1 therapeutics–originally developed for obesity and diabetes–into areas such as menopause, arthritis, and addiction therapy as an example of how Mind-Body Medicine is evolving toward a systems-level scientific framework.

The April 19, 2026 issue of The New York Times published an interesting article on the latest clinical developments for the readership regarding the usage of the recently approved GLP-1 receptor agonist class of drugs in weight loss treatment. These medications, such as semaglutide, have been recently used to treat obesity and diabetes. However, researchers have recently identified new potential clinical applications of GLP-1 medications, including menopause, arthritis, and addiction therapy.  In this context, the Mind-Body Medicine Research Council, and specifically, George B Stefano, the co-founder of the council at Witten/Herdecke University, is exploring the potential uses of GLP-1 therapeutics and their impact on neurocircuitry and other biological processes. Specifically, Dr. Stefano claims that mitochondria may be regarded as the key point of convergence, where various metabolic peptides, including those used in semaglutide medication, act synergistically on different energy-regulating processes and neuronal functions.