Life After Ozempic

"A weekly dose of the GLP-1 agonist semaglutide, which is sold under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy, transformed me. It diminished both my hunger and my cravings for processed sugar and fried foods; it made me into the sort of person who eats when hungry and at no other time, which is something I hadn't experienced for at least a decade."

"There is real psychological power in feeling, at long last, like you are in control of the appetites that once controlled you. Semaglutide slows the digestive process so that one meal keeps a person feeling fuller for longer, while also curbing cravings, so that all calories become more or less equal. Fried foods and processed sugar are no more appealing than a salad or some chicken breast, making it easier to tell yourself: No, I'm not going to eat a doughnut or some pizza."

"Instead I'll have a protein bar or an apple or maybe nothing at all. In my case, Ozempic lived up to its burgeoning reputation as a miracle drug. The weight came off so quickly at first that I found myself with questions about the effects this might have. Was it possible to get all the macronutrients I needed while eating so little? Would my fats and proteins spin out of balance? Was my skin ready for the body it contained to shrink so quickly?"

"These questions were not always easy to answer. There now exists a range of supplements targeting every possible post-GLP-1 anxiety. GLP-1 drugs have gone mainstream so quickly, and are so often prescribed by weight-loss clinics rather than general practitioners, that users may need to rely on a great deal of self-directed research-countless hours spent reading medical journals and trawling Inter"

Semaglutide, sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, can reduce hunger and cravings for processed sugar and fried foods. Slower digestion can extend fullness from one meal, while cravings are curbed so calories feel more similar across foods. This can make it easier to refuse doughnuts, pizza, or other highly appealing items and choose protein, fruit, or nothing at all. Psychological effects can include feeling in control of appetites that previously drove compulsive eating. Rapid early weight loss can raise concerns about meeting nutritional needs, balancing fats and proteins, and supporting skin during shrinkage. Users may also need to do self-directed research and seek supplements to address post-treatment anxieties.

Read at Esquire