The obesity epidemic and the skyrocketing prevalence of diabetes have been in the scientific literature for many years. There have not been, nor are there now, easy answers to address either health condition.
Obesity and Diabetes lead to a myriad of other health challenges that will negatively impact your ability to live a healthy life. Neither condition is simple, nor is the plan to act on them as simple as what health enthusiasts proclaim on social media. If you or someone you care about is challenged by either or both of these conditions, fear not! You can take evidence-based steps and make positive progress toward better health.
GLP-1 (Glucagon-like Peptide-1) medications (also called GLP-1 receptor agonists) were developed to target patients who were diagnosed with diabetes, and obesity was a significant concern. These medications have been in use since 2005. A simple Google search shows how many medications are now in this class; 11 are available.
The consensus is that these medications have untapped potential. Despite the negative chatter on social media, the science is clear: these medications, when used wisely, yield cardiometabolic benefits. The question and debate are: "What does it mean to use wisely?" The social media messaging around concerns of harm is because the misuse of these medications can create significant health issues. During the period between 2019 and 2025, there were approximately 23,000 calls to poison control centers, a 1500% increase, in the U.S. (The Global Statistics, 2026).
Now that it is the Summer of 2026, discussions have shifted to the risks of these medications and whether there is an effective way to eventually stop taking them and maintain your new healthy weight. Many scientists and clinicians are not hopeful about successful transitions, while others believe it is possible, but only with some work.
You might be new to a discussion about these medications and don't know what to believe or do. I am glad you are reading this article to learn about the complexities of the GLP-1 medications. Like many health topics, the science of this discussion is complicated. The goal of this article is to remove the burden of complexity from the reader and leave it to the writer to simplify the delivery of knowledge to you.
You are in the driver's seat. Take time to gather trustworthy information and understand the different medications. Talk to your provider, your fitness trainer, and friends and family who may have experience using these medications. In healthcare, it is about you evaluating whether an intervention will improve your health and well-being.
Let’s get to know your brain
If you think losing weight is simply about the food you eat and how much you move, and do not realize the key role of the brain, you may think you can control more than you actually do. Let’s look at how your brain can challenge your weight-loss efforts, and how GLP-1 medications can impact these hard-wired actions of the brain.
GLP-1 meds & your body
The Forebrain houses the neurons that are most concerned about how much energy your body needs to function effectively. In this area, your brain can calculate fat stores and react to changes in Leptin in your adipose (fat) tissue. Leptin is a hormone that acts counter to insulin. Insulin when increased, sends signals to store fat. Decreases in Leptin will mean loss of body fat.
As explained by Dr. Knight, when you lose body fat, leptin goes down and signals to the body that you are starving. It goes into fight mode to protect your fat stores.
Our hunger response — how, and if, we maintain weight loss — is regulated in the brain. Fortunately, the GLP-1 medication can get into the blood-brain barrier just enough to communicate with these neurons (Huberman, 2024). This is also where the nausea response is initiated when people first start the medication. Fortunately, our brain can predict, remember, and anticipate, so this symptom resolves with adequate protein and hydration.
The liver, pancreas, and stomach play a big role in the actions of a GLP-1 medication. One of the top actions is to lower your blood glucose, which means less insulin is released. There is a very low ceiling for blood glucose to not release insulin (Huberman, 2024). As explained by Dr. Knight, too much insulin means more adipose tissue (fat).
The GLP-1 initiates the incretin effect in the intestines that amplifies the chain reaction — food is eaten, blood glucose rises, and insulin is released. Since GLP-1 abundance increases significantly with medication, digestion is slowed, appetite decreases, and glucose disposal is promoted (Huberman, 2024).
Lower glucose and less insulin mean less fat storage.
Other complaints with GLP-1 use are bloating and constipation. You must be very aware of your gut health with this medication — ensure hydration and stay active. If the body senses that you do not have enough salt and fluids on board, your metabolism will slow down (Huberman, 2025), and you will not get what you need to be healthy.
Mindset
Body recomposition is a shift in focus from the number on the scale to your percent of lean body mass (LBM) compared to your percent of body fat. When we get away from the scale, we learn it is really the least important factor in our overall health.
When we look at LBM, we are looking at the best indicator of strength, stability, and movement (Huberman, 2025)—a trio that lowers your risk of injury and promotes a longer, healthier life. Body recomposition is a key mindset for using a GLP-1 medication for a healthier you.
Unfortunately, as shared by Dr. Ralph DeFronzo, a scientist who specializes in insulin resistance, our measurement of LBM does not accurately reflect muscle mass (Attia, 2024).
How many times have you seen on social media, “lose 30 lbs in 3 weeks” or “I lost 20 lbs in 10 days”? These fads do not promote or sustain your health. Patience is vital to incorporating a GLP-1 medication into your plan. People who try to be fast and furious — taking too much too soon — end up with gastrointestinal toxicity or other GI conditions.
With patience, you will learn your body’s signals and be amazed at the results. As Ralph DeFronzo, M.D., notes, someone using a GLP-1 medication wisely can almost eliminate the risks with protein consumption and strength training (Attia, 2024). If we don’t follow these recommendations, we will lose LBM, and it will eventually be replaced by fat.
Have you lost weight with the use of a GLP-1 medication? Are you worried about transitioning off the medication?
Dr. Jason Fung, author of The Obesity Code (2016) and The Diabetes Code (2018), discussed with Scott Barlett, host of The Diary of the CEO podcast, that obesity is a hormone-driven behavior (Barlett, 2024). Our hormones are released when we eat to tell us to stop eating (Bartlett, 2024).
Dr. Fung said that the most important lesson the use of GLP-1 medications has taught us is that it isn't about calories; it is about our ability to control our hunger and food consumption.
You go to see your provider, and she says, "You know, Beth, we need a plan to get you off this GLP-1 medication." You start to panic because, during your weight-loss journey, you did not use your GLP-1 medication as one tool in the toolbox. Not to worry! Take a lifestyle-change approach, not a fast-and-furious one. Our bodies like small changes over time and moderation.
To get you started, here is a list of a few reminders and tips!
- Reminder that insulin is released when glucose levels are higher. Our bodies have a low ceiling for blood glucose numbers, so you will need to have consistent control
- Mobility- you need to move, move and move some more!
- Take on your hunger head on! How can you best control your hunger?
- Carbs are not your friend when you are striving for satiety. Protein, on the other hand is your superpower!
- Strength training is a must! Remember the more muscle you have the more energy you are going to burn all day long
- Protect the muscle you have because it is more likely to return as fat if you don't take care of it with regular exercise
Interesting in Learning More?
Attia, Peter (2025, February 24). The Peter Attia Drive podcast. [337- Insulin resistance masterclass: The full body impact of metabolic dysfunction, treatment & more | Dr. Ralph DeFronzo]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYQaLV3Fm00
Bartlett, Steven (2024, January 22). The Diary of A CEO. [Exercise does not make you lose fat. | Dr. Jason Fung]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RuWp3s6Uxk
Huberman, Andrew (2024 June 17). Huberman Lab. [The science of hunger & medications to combat obesity | Dr. Zachary Knight]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5KpIXjpzdY&t=1444s
Huberman, Andrew. (2025, Jul 7). Huberman Lab. [How to lose fat & gain muscle with nutrition | Alan Aragon]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_1zlead9ZU
All content was researched and written by Ashley @ MindURhealth4U. No content was created using AI technology.
Start a project
