Philadelphia, PA – August 2025 – At the Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium in Philadelphia, Dr. Richard L. Doty presented groundbreaking research showing that GLP-1 receptor agonists—popular medications for diabetes and weight loss, including Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, Trulicity®, and Zepbound™—significantly impair taste perception across all five basic taste qualities.
In a controlled study using the Smell Identification Test (UPSIT®) and the Waterless Empirical Taste Test (WETT®), patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists performed worse than matched controls on taste function, despite fewer than 25% reporting noticeable changes. Objective testing revealed that 85% of users scored below their controls, highlighting the disconnect between subjective awareness and measurable impairment.
“These drugs are highly effective for weight control, but our findings suggest they also dull the taste system in ways that may affect nutrition, satiety, and food enjoyment,” said Dr. Doty. “With more than 10% of U.S. adults now taking GLP-1 medications, these taste effects carry important clinical and public health implications.”
The research further demonstrated that taste loss was not linked to weight loss amount, treatment duration, smoking, or COVID-19 history, suggesting the effect is directly tied to GLP-1 receptor activity in taste buds and brain regions that process flavor. Smell function appeared largely unaffected.
Sensonics International, the global leader in validated smell and taste tests, continues to support clinicians and researchers with tools like the UPSIT® and WETT® to advance understanding of chemosensory health.
For more information, visit www.sensonics.com. If you or someone you know is currently taking any of the mentioned GLP-1 receptor medications, please contact rsharetts@sensonics.com for more information about our ongoing research study.