Genetic variations may help explain why some patients respond better than others to widely used weight-loss medications, according to new research that points to the potential for more personalised treatment approaches.

Drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Zepbound have transformed the treatment of obesity in recent years. These medications belong to a class known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic a natural hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar, helping people feel full for longer. Despite their growing use, patient outcomes vary widely, with some individuals losing less than 5 percent of their body weight while others achieve reductions exceeding 20 percent.

The study, conducted by researchers at the 23andMe Research Institute and published in Nature, examined genetic data alongside patient-reported experiences to better understand these differences.

Researchers analysed information from nearly 28,000 participants who had taken GLP-1 medications for a median period of just over eight months. Their findings identified specific genetic variants that appear to influence how individuals respond to these treatments.

One such variation in the GLP1R gene was linked to improved effectiveness. Individuals carrying a particular version of this gene lost an average of 0.76 kilograms more than those without it during the study period. Another variant in the GIPR gene was associated with an increased likelihood of side effects such as nausea and vomiting among patients taking tirzepatide-based drugs, though it did not affect weight loss outcomes.

Noura Abul-Husn, chief medical officer at the research institute, said current approaches to weight management often rely on trial and error. She noted that patients frequently begin treatment without clear expectations about how effective a drug will be or what side effects they might experience.

Experts not involved in the study said the findings offer useful insight but should be interpreted with caution. Marie Spreckley of the University of Cambridge said the genetic effects identified are relatively small in clinical terms, especially compared with the typical weight loss of 10 to 15 percent seen in trials of these medications. She added that factors such as dosage, treatment duration, sex and drug type likely play a larger role in determining outcomes.

Still, researchers believe the results could mark a step toward more tailored therapies. Cristóbal Morales, a specialist in metabolic health in Spain, said the ability to predict how patients will respond to treatment through pharmacogenomics could improve both drug selection and safety.

The findings highlight the growing interest in personalised medicine, where treatments are adapted to an individual’s genetic profile, though further studies are needed to confirm how these insights can be applied in clinical practice.

A new study by researchers at the University of California San Diego suggests that a week of intensive meditation and mind-body practices may lead to measurable changes in both brain activity and physical health, highlighting a deeper connection between mental experience and biological function.

The findings, published in Communications Biology, indicate that consistent mental practices can activate biological pathways linked to brain flexibility, immune response, metabolism and natural pain relief. Researchers said the results point to a growing understanding that conscious experience and physical health are closely intertwined and may be used to improve overall well-being.

The study followed 20 healthy adults who participated in a seven-day residential retreat led by neuroscience educator Joe Dispenza. Participants completed about 33 hours of guided meditation along with lectures and group-based activities. Some elements were presented using an “open-label placebo” approach, meaning participants were aware that certain practices were described as placebos, yet previous research suggests such methods can still produce real effects through expectation and group dynamics.

To measure the impact of the retreat, researchers used functional MRI scans and blood tests before and after the programme. The results showed reduced activity in brain regions associated with constant internal thoughts, often described as mental “background noise,” suggesting more efficient brain function.

Blood samples also revealed changes linked to neuroplasticity, with lab-grown neurons exposed to post-retreat plasma showing increased growth and connectivity. Additional findings pointed to improved metabolic flexibility, as well as higher levels of endogenous opioids, the body’s natural painkillers.

Researchers also observed shifts in immune signalling, with both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses increasing in what they described as a more balanced and adaptive pattern. Participants reported stronger feelings of unity and altered awareness after the retreat, based on scores from a standard questionnaire used to assess such experiences.

Hemal H. Patel, who was involved in the research, said the results go beyond simple stress reduction. He noted that combining multiple mind-body techniques appeared to influence several biological systems at once, with measurable effects in both brain scans and blood chemistry.

The study also found that patterns of brain connectivity observed after the retreat resembled those previously associated with psychedelic substances, suggesting that similar states may be achieved through meditation alone.

Despite the findings, researchers cautioned that the study was limited by its small sample size and lack of a control group. They said further research is needed to determine whether the same effects would be seen in larger and more diverse populations.

Alex Jinich-Diamant said the results provide rare biological evidence linking mental states to physical changes in the body. He added that the research offers new insight into how attention, belief and structured practices may leave measurable effects on human biology, opening potential pathways for improving health through non-pharmacological methods.