From 'Food Noise' to Stimulant Cravings: A New GLP-1 Trial at UMB
Fri Feb 06 2026
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University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) associate professor Sarah M. Kattakuzhy, MD, joins “The UMB Pulse” this month to talk about her research exploring whether semaglutide (a GLP-1 medication widely used for diabetes and weight management) could help reduce cravings and improve outcomes for people with stimulant use disorder.
Kattakuzhy, who is also the co-director of the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine at UMSOM, describes the design of the STAC Study, which is evaluating the safety and tolerability of semaglutide in people with cocaine use disorder, including participants with and without HIV, while also tracking secondary outcomes such as changes in drug use and cravings.
She also discusses why stimulant use disorders, including cocaine and methamphetamine use disorder, have been especially challenging to treat, and how her work through the University of Maryland, Baltimore community-based research partnerships aims to expand treatment options and reduce stigma around substance use disorders.
To learn more about this trial or for referrals, contact Dr. Kattakuzhy at skattakuzhy@ihv.umaryland.edu.
00:00 Introduction to Addiction and New Research
00:40 Meet Dr. Sarah Kattakuzhy
01:45 A Day in the Life of Dr. Kattakuzhy
03:57 The Journey to Addiction Research
07:40 Exploring Semaglutides for Addiction Treatment
12:34 Details of the Clinical Trial
20:29 Challenges and Hopes in Addiction Treatment
24:31 Collaborations and Future Directions
27:39 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
32:13 Post-Interview Insights
Listen to The UMB Pulse on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever you like to listen. The UMB Pulse is also now on YouTube.
Visit our website at umaryland.edu/pulse or email us at umbpulse@umaryland.edu.
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Send us a text University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) associate professor Sarah M. Kattakuzhy, MD, joins “The UMB Pulse” this month to talk about her research exploring whether semaglutide (a GLP-1 medication widely used for diabetes and weight management) could help reduce cravings and improve outcomes for people with stimulant use disorder. Kattakuzhy, who is also the co-director of the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine at UMSOM, describes the design of the STAC Study, which is evaluating the safety and tolerability of semaglutide in people with cocaine use disorder, including participants with and without HIV, while also tracking secondary outcomes such as changes in drug use and cravings. She also discusses why stimulant use disorders, including cocaine and methamphetamine use disorder, have been especially challenging to treat, and how her work through the University of Maryland, Baltimore community-based research partnerships aims to expand treatment options and reduce stigma around substance use disorders. To learn more about this trial or for referrals, contact Dr. Kattakuzhy at skattakuzhy@ihv.umaryland.edu. 00:00 Introduction to Addiction and New Research 00:40 Meet Dr. Sarah Kattakuzhy 01:45 A Day in the Life of Dr. Kattakuzhy 03:57 The Journey to Addiction Research 07:40 Exploring Semaglutides for Addiction Treatment 12:34 Details of the Clinical Trial 20:29 Challenges and Hopes in Addiction Treatment 24:31 Collaborations and Future Directions 27:39 Final Thoughts and Takeaways 32:13 Post-Interview Insights Listen to The UMB Pulse on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever you like to listen. The UMB Pulse is also now on YouTube. Visit our website at umaryland.edu/pulse or email us at umbpulse@umaryland.edu.