Evidence is mounting that the popular weight-loss drugs known as GLP-1s may also help treat addiction. The medicines, approved for diabetes and obesity treatment as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, are used by millions of Americans and others around the world, and work in the gut and brain to affect digestion, insulin, and appetite, helping quiet cravings and what users call “food noise.”
Named for the GLP-1 hormone they mimic, the medicines have also shown success in treating cardiovascular disease, heart failure, sleep apnea, and kidney disease. Addiction may be their next frontier, an area where only a small fraction of patients currently receive medication.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 42% of Americans are obese, and 65% say willpower alone isn’t enough for most people who are trying to lose weight. While weight-loss aids have been around for decades, a new class of weight-loss drugs, including brands like Ozempic and Wegovy, has soared in popularity. Around one in eight American adults has used weight-loss drugs, but factors including cost, a shortage of medications, and side effects have made many people stop.
But what happens when you stop taking weight-loss drugs? Fortunately, this gallery contains all you need to know. Click on to discover more.