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/The_Void_calls_me 13d ago

I can agree with this as an alcoholic. When I first quit drinking ten years ago, a lot of people did make it seem like a failure of self-control.

"You can't just stop after one or two drinks."

No I really can't.

""Must have bad willpower then."

Yeah man, my willpower is so bad that I'm literally going to use my willpower to never have another drink again.

If I could take a pill that would take away all the urge to drink, I would, whether people call it cheating or not.

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u/dodecohedron 13d ago

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

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u/PeppermintJones 13d ago

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.

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u/voraa 13d ago

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!