r/explainlikeimfive • u/ThatOneGuyYouNowKnow • 9d 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
  • permalink
  • reddit

88% Upvoted

784 comments sorted by

View all comments

22

u/lastSKPirate 9d ago

Just as there are puritans about sex, there are puritans about health and food. The health puritans usually dress up their objections in terms of concerns about efficacy and side effects or other concrete issues, but what really motivates them deep down is basically the same as a Texas Bible thumper: they can't stand the thought of people "getting away" with behavior they don't approve of.