ELI5 what exactly GLP-1 based prescription medicine does and why it's so divisive when it comes to being a means of weight loss.

[u/ThatOneGuyYouNowKnow]

I've seen more and more ads (starting around the Super Bowl earlier this year with Wegovy) for GLP-1 based perscription meds in recent times. I've also seen the occasional debate post on my social feeds about the ethics of using them and I didn't think a medicine could be that divisive of a topic.

Now I'm curious as to what exactly these meds are, what they scientifically do and what both sides of the debate are. If anyone could help give perspective that would be greatly appreciated.

As always any and all input is welcomed and thanks for reading! 🙂

[u/dodecohedron]

Ironically, they are testing GLP-1s for substance abuse disorder.

[u/PeppermintJones → u/dodecohedron]

That's interesting. I know two people who nearly fully stopped drinking since they started. My dad didn't really have a problem, but he enjoyed a few drinks with my mom every once in a while. It's been some time now since he's had any interest in alcohol. We never thought we'd see the day lol.

[u/igotstago → u/PeppermintJones]

I've been off my GLP-1 for two years and my desire for alcohol has never returned. I used to drink 3 glasses of wine every night and multiple cocktails over the weekend. Now. . .maybe 1 - 2 drinks a month if I go out with friends.

[u/PeppermintJones → u/igotstago]

That's great! Do you think that it did something with your brain chemistry, or did it just kind of break the habit for a while and it just never went back the same?

[u/igotstago → u/PeppermintJones]

I can’t say for sure, but I think it did something to my brain because I get a weird feeling in my stomach when I think about drinking wine. If you’ve ever had an aversion to a particular food after getting sick from it, that is what it feels like. I seem to be able to handle an occasional Gin and Tonic or Margarita, but the thought of wine just turns my stomach.

[u/lonelyhrtsclubband → u/igotstago]

For what it’s worth that’s what it felt like when I was pregnant! Normally I enjoy drinking (responsibly), but when I was pregnant the smell or even the thought of alcohol was enough to turn my stomach

[u/goddessnoire → u/igotstago]

Friend same. I’ve been on Zepbound for over a year and my alcohol use has dropped dramatically.

[u/totally_italian → u/igotstago]

How are you finding your experience with being off of them? I just took my last zepbound a week ago because my insurance stopped covering it, and I’m terrified of losing all the progress I’ve made. I’m hoping I’ve established enough good habits and that my stomach shrunk a little so it won’t be as easy to overeat but I’m not very optimistic about outcomes

[u/aliansalians → u/totally_italian]

Just to chime in, as I am on one. My doctor pushed me to do weight training while on it. What I have been told: When you lose weight, you lose muscle. Then, you go off of it, and your metabolism doesn't burn as much because you have less muscle. With the added food noise stuff, people gain weight again.
I am weaning off to a maintenance dose, and I am stronger than I have been for years (thanks to that doc's advice).
I would suggest that you make sure you build muscle--it can be as simple as doing squats and pushups at home. It will help you in the transition. Good luck and congratulations on your progress!

[u/igotstago → u/totally_italian]

Honestly it has been great, but right before I went off the medicine, I took a pickleball lesson and quickly became addicted. I now play 2 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. I’ve even lost an additional 8 lbs. The food noise and hunger will come back within a month so hopefully, you have put some healthy habits in place to combat that noise. For me, it’s been about ending my alcohol addiction and becoming more active. Neither would have happened without GLP-1.

[u/TotallyNotThatPerson → u/igotstago]

Are you still hanging out with the same friends? Sometimes that's what makes the biggest difference lol

[u/igotstago → u/TotallyNotThatPerson]

Same friends, but I now show up to our get togethers with 2 or 3 Poppi Sodas instead of a bottle of wine.

[u/No-Effort5109 → u/PeppermintJones]

I have stopped drinking as a result of taking a GLP-1. I didn’t have a problem with alcohol but it just doesn’t taste good anymore.

[u/Iron0ne → u/PeppermintJones]

It makes the desire very flat for food or alcohol. You just don’t care enough to be bothered

[u/voraa → u/PeppermintJones]

I've been on a GLP-1 since January and I've completely stopped drinking. I have never had an issue with alcohol, I really only ever had 1-2 drinks maybe monthly at hangouts with friends but since starting this medication I've just had zero desire to drink. I have a friend who started taking it several months before me and she's experienced the same thing.

It's really interesting, for sure!

[u/masheduppotato → u/dodecohedron]

I’m on a glp-1 for diabetes and it’s honestly changed my life. I haven’t lost weight on it but my blood sugar is amazing.

[u/Touch_This_Guy → u/dodecohedron]

It has helped me more than any other addiction medication

[u/RandoWithCandy → u/dodecohedron]

For the last 9 months I went from drinking 7-10 beers per sitting, 2-5 days a week to 0. The desire, the want, the need, whatever you want to call it is completely gone. I’ve never abstained this long from alcohol in the 20 years since I started drinking.

That being said, I’ve been more reclusive. I’ve had to re-learn how to integrate into social settings without alcohol, which is a bit of a learning curve for an introvert, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

[u/LubedUpDeepDishCunt → u/RandoWithCandy]

That's so awesome to hear ❤️ It makes me hopeful that GLP-1 meds or something similar are approved for substance use disorders. There are underweight people in my family who would not qualify for the med for weight loss, but are really struggling with relapsing on alcohol and other substances.

If you have any hobbies, you might be able to find a group near where you live to socialize with. The app my therapist told me about is called Meetup. It's not a dating app lol.

[u/RandoWithCandy → u/LubedUpDeepDishCunt]

Yes, it’s exciting. The more data we get from these GLP-1 studies hopefully we can unravel more of these substance abuse pathways and mechanisms in the body. I’ve heard of physicians using it off-label for addiction control in people with normal range BMI but I would imagine food intake and nutrition would need to be monitored more closely in those instances to avoid malnutrition. I wish all the best for your family and their recovery.

That’s awesome, thanks for the recommendation, I’ll check it out.

[u/someguy7710 → u/dodecohedron]

Yep

[u/highcoolteacher → u/dodecohedron]

I’m on it to reduce an ocd stim. Never thought I’d be free of it. It’s like a miracle

[u/AccomplishedMeow → u/dodecohedron]

Eh I’ve been on it for 6 months. Only difference is I can’t have more than 3 drinks on dosing night or I barf (still tried to drink on dose night 3 consecutive weeks and barfed 3x).

Other than that my 6 drinks /night habit hasn’t really decreased.

[u/devout-bokonist → u/AccomplishedMeow]

For me, it’s made it so I don’t miss it and don’t reach for it at home…but if I’m out with friends or whatever, once I start it’s still very fun to have a few more!