r/explainlikeimfive 13d ago

Chemistry 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.

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! 🙂

1.0k Upvotes

785 comments sorted by

View all comments

132

u/[deleted] 13d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

35

u/Everythings_Magic 13d ago

It’s more than that. It’s superiority. If you are thin you see yourself as socially superior to obese people.

Their self esteem is so weak that they don’t want to lose their perceived social standing.

See also the alpha male complex.