The GLP-1 craze is starting to remind me of the AI bubble so let me see if I can try to temper the irrational exuberance just a bit.
GLP-1 is presumed to act by modulating dopamine. Dopamine is an important neural transmitter. This suggests to me that modulating dopamine is likely to have many consequences, not all of which is likely to be good. GLP-1 suppresses the pleasure of eating, which is why it is an effective weight loss medicine. What other pleasures is it suppressing? We simply don’t know.
Science is certainly not perfect. But like democracy it is better than the alternatives. One of the more unfortunate trends in recent years is the belief by the general public that just because an enormous amount of information is available online, they can all speak authoritatively on any subject.
For the most part, the impression that it suppresses the pleasure of eating, seems to have been created by the article cited and the sources utilized by the author to confirm the “Ozempic Personality” thrust of theheadline. In that respect, you’re right. We don’t know if these meds suppress other pleasures…..or if they even suppress the pleasure of eating itself, come to that. The normal pleasure of normal eating, that is.
From my understanding…. (gleaned somewhat from a) my daughter and others’ anecdotal experience, and b) my husband’s fairly extensive clinical and research “take” on the topic) …what happens is that the constant “food noise” is what is suppressed. Folk who can remain “naturally” lean by self discipline don’t experience this. At least, I don’t. Natural hungar signals are just that. I assume there’s a similar response with alcohol and other addictions.
Edit to add to the notion of “irrational exuberance” WRT these very useful medications. This is also an impression strongly created by articles in a similar manner to the “Ozempic Face/Bottie (TMF nanny filter)/Personality/Mouth (yes!!)” click bait. The Daily Mail style of churnalism where headlines can switch from miracle cure to the Devil’s potion overnight, it seems (per Ben Goldacre)
Sure, but the mechanism by which that happens is believed to involve GLP-1 modulating dopamine levels and glutamatergic neurotransmission. Both these factors have many other functions in the brain besides those involving appetite and food noise.
Is it really plausible that other behaviors aren’t affected by GLP-1 use?
I guess it sort of depends upon what you mean by “other behaviours” and how they’re affected.
Even assuming the neurological effects to be greater than they probably are, the behaviours affected (in the obesity model) seem to me to be twofold. A greatly amplified reward response (over and above that of those of us who don’t overeat) plus a measurably diminished satiety response…..as in a failure to recognise/respond to feelings of fullness. I think it’s safe to say both of these behaviours are dysfunctional….as in, of no benefit to the individual.
If, by other behaviours, you mean other common dysfunctional responses to alcohol and other drugs of addiction, the available evidence (if anecdotal) appears to be “yes, they’re affected” To the extent that former boozers can stop at one drink (or not even bother), give up cigarettes, stop snorting cocaine…or shoplifting, gambling or whatnot. For the most part, these appear to be positive examples of Ozempic Personality.
Mind you, these other addicted types would need to have a fair bit of excess lard to lose, I reckon…..since the first order peripheral effects would be a serious negative if they were already skinny, right?