Is a new weight-loss drug making people fall out of love?

"The weird theory going around is that the drug can make you fall out of love. Users describe emotional flattening, with one stating the drug stopped food craving and lusting as well."

"Medical researchers are beginning to investigate whether these drugs act as a general reward dampener, influencing the brain's reward centre and quieting joy found elsewhere."

"A recent case report suggests that such medications can influence brain regions involved in emotional regulation and potentially trigger or worsen severe depressive symptoms."

"Paul Kenny stated that the world was in the midst of a huge experiment as millions of people started using GLP-1 drugs, with researchers only now starting to collect data on their effects."

Retatrutide, an experimental weight-loss drug, targets appetite-related hormones and is generating interest despite being in clinical trials. Users report emotional flattening, with some experiencing anhedonia and reduced cravings for food and intimacy. Medical researchers are investigating whether these drugs dampen general rewards, affecting joy beyond appetite. Reports of emotional flatness also arise from approved GLP-1 drugs like Mounjaro. Neuroscientist Paul Kenny notes that the widespread use of these medications is a large-scale experiment, revealing surprising links to behavior and emotional regulation.

Read at www.theguardian.com