Hype vs Harm: What Do We Really Know About Weight Loss Drugs?

By Minnie Watson, Curious PR Intern

Obesity is often cited as a risk factor for multiple health issues: certain types of cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia, to name a few. But research now suggests that the treatment for obesity could also directly prevent some of those other diseases.

Ozempic, the treatment in question, was approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes back in December of 2017, and in 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy for chronic weight management. Since then these weight-loss drugs have gone from being little-known treatments to popular (if expensive) options, used by individuals all over the world. In the UK, Ozempic is prescribed for people with a BMI of 35kg/m2 or more and have additional psychological or other medical conditions that are related to obesity. Yet, in 2024 an Ipsos poll revealed that 1 in 5 Britons would consider using such medications if available for free on the NHS. These injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists, initially developed for type 2 diabetes, have been repurposed for weight loss, offering a promising alternative to traditional dieting methods. Intriguingly, the drugs are increasingly being found to have additional health benefits, such as significantly cutting the risk of dementia, halving the risk of obesity related cancers and reducing heart attacks more than would be expected from just weight loss alone. However, as their popularity grows, so do questions about their deeper impact - not just on the body, but on how we experience food and health itself.

When Eating Stops Being Enjoyable

Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone that influences insulin production and satiety. While the clinical data confirms their effectiveness in reducing body weight, emerging stories from users suggest they can also radically alter how individuals experience their food - and not always in positive ways. Anecdotes such as that of a woman interviewed by The Guardian described a growing sense of detachment from food, saying it became “repulsive” rather than pleasurable. She missed the act of eating itself - not overindulging, just the simple satisfaction of a meal. This ‘emotional blunting’ around food has been echoed by others, raising complex questions about the benefits of weight loss versus the cost of losing the joy of eating.

For some, that emotional dampening might feel like a welcome relief from years of compulsive eating or binge cycles. But this phenomenon also opens up a larger debate about the psychological impacts of these medications - especially given new findings that GLP-1 drugs may help treat depression and anxiety, possibly due to their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, which can help reduce neuroinflammation. A study, presented in May 2025 at the European Congress of Obesity, found that GLP-1 receptor agonists had a ‘beneficial effect on mental health in adults with and without mental disorders’.

Weight loss, But At What Cost?

There are also medical concerns that go beyond appetite suppression. Recent reports have linked GLP-1 drugs to serious side effects, including potential vision problems. One study, currently under further investigation, suggests a possible association between these medications and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) -  a rare condition that can cause sudden, irreversible vision loss. Anecdotal reports in the media, such as Lottie Moss being hospitalised for an apparent Ozempic-related complication, only add to the unease. What was once promoted as a modern fix for obesity is now starting to seem like it comes with unexpected or unpredictable problems.

Off The Scales And Into The Pharmacy

Meanwhile, the rising obsession and demand for fast weight loss solutions shows no signs of slowing. On May 6th 2025, WW International (formally WeightWatchers) filed for bankruptcy, suggesting that its calorie-counting and ‘group support’ model may have been overtaken by the popularity of slimming drugs.

In an unexpected twist, students in the US have reportedly begun growing plant-based versions of GLP-1 mimetics in lab-like conditions - effectively ‘DIY biohacking’ the drug. Simultaneously, researchers are working to develop “natural” alternatives that could replicate the hunger-reducing effects of these medications ‘without the risks’. Perhaps most intriguingly, early-stage studies suggest GLP-1 agonists might be useful in treating alcohol and opioid addiction:  Recent research published in the Journal, Addiction, found that individuals with alcohol dependence who were prescribed Ozempic or similar medications exhibited a 50% reduction in binge drinking episodes, while those with opioid use disorder experienced a 40% decrease in overdose incidents compared to those not taking the drugs. 

Out With The Old?

Other published research has suggested GLP-1 agonists could even slow biological ageing, with studies presented at the 2024 European Society of Cardiology Conference indicating the drugs may help treat a broad spectrum of conditions - including heart failure, arthritis, Alzheimer's and certain cancers. According to Professor Harlan Krumholz of Yale School of Medicine, the wide-ranging health improvements seen with Ozempic could plausibly contribute to decelerating the ageing process.

Addressing The Route Cause Of Obesity

With rates of childhood obesity on the rise, and the NHS under strain, the search for solutions is understandable. But are we truly addressing the root causes of weight gain - such as socioeconomic disparity, aggressive food marketing, mental health struggles - or are we simply prescribing thinness in injectable form, now poised to become even more accessible with reports of a new daily weight-loss pill on the horizon? Ozempic, made by Novo Nordisk, is now at the centre of this shift. The company is Europe’s most valuable by market size, worth around $570 billion - more than the entire Danish economy! With 1 in 8 people in the world living with obesity, it’s no wonder demand has skyrocketed. But that same demand has overwhelmed Novo Nordisk’s supply chain, raising questions about access, equity and long-term sustainability. 

So what do we really know about Ozempic?

We know it helps people lose weight, might reduce the risk of everything from heart disease to cancer, and could even slow ageing. It's either the miracle drug of the century or the world's most expensive appetite suppressant. But as we continue reaching for quick-fix solutions, we have to ask: are we addressing the true causes of weight gain, or just prescribing thinness in a syringe? For all its potential, a "cure" that makes food feel repulsive may come at too high a cost.