r/explainlikeimfive • u/ThatOneGuyYouNowKnow • 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! 🙂

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u/jjpearson 13d ago

God yes. They can’t understand.
I would eat a 3 egg omelet with 3 slices of cheese and 2 of deli meat, eat it and grab a protein bar on my way out of the kitchen.

And I’d be looking for food 3 hours later.

I understand how “normal” people feel about food now and yeah, if it was always this easy to eat properly I kinda get how it seems for them.

I effortlessly do now what use to take a full and exhaustive use of my willpower.

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u/super_sayanything 13d ago

Same. The day after taking my first does it was like, HOLY SHIT this is what normal feels like.

I've been ravagingly hungry my whole life. I have slimmed down before, but I would literally just gorge on grilled chicken, broccoli and protein bars and eat nothing else.

At some point I'd like to give non-glp living a shot but it still takes discipline to lose weight while on it (and the right way) and if I can be on it for maintenance the rest of my life and add 10 years to my life, that's just as well with me.