What Ozempic does to the gut-brain axis • Hacker News Board

Re: What Ozempic does to the gut-brain axis

#11

Post by diggerboy » Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 10:33 PM UTC

dirtbagskier wrote: post #2

I'd take them even if they didn't make me lose weight - and I'm the type of person that doesn't like takeing Tylenol unless absolutely necessary. The best way I can describe it: my body and mind are no longer is in starvation mode. I plan, do, act and sleep well.

Did you have to reach a certain dose for such effects?

Re: What Ozempic does to the gut-brain axis

#12

Post by PeterHolzwarth » Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 10:34 PM UTC

y-curious wrote: post #6

I got severely downvoted in the past for badmouthing GLP1s here. Then I did my research, got on them and I take it all back. These things are on par with statins in terms of potential societal impacts.

That's quite admirable to correct yourself in public. Good on ya.

Re: What Ozempic does to the gut-brain axis

#13

Post by storus » Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 10:35 PM UTC

Metabolic theories of mental illnesses and cancer are seriously understudied.

Re: What Ozempic does to the gut-brain axis

#14

Post by bawolff » Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 10:38 PM UTC

rubicon33 wrote: post #8

randycupertino wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm on GLP-1 and it's completely stopped my urge to online shop. I used to browse/shop for fun and out of habit or when I was stressed out or wanted a treat etc. Entirely resolved! I've also lost 40lbs on it.

Do you honestly believe in the so called “free lunch”? I mean there are MANY substances you can presently take that make you feel way better, but always come with a cost or a downside. Why should we believe GLP-1 class drugs are any different?

All drugs have side effects and downsides. The question should be if the benefits outweigh the costs, not if the drug is pure magic. Obviously its not pure magic, nothing is, but its still a useful drug.

Re: What Ozempic does to the gut-brain axis

#15

Post by crooked-v » Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 10:39 PM UTC

rubicon33 wrote: post #8

randycupertino wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm on GLP-1 and it's completely stopped my urge to online shop. I used to browse/shop for fun and out of habit or when I was stressed out or wanted a treat etc. Entirely resolved! I've also lost 40lbs on it.

Do you honestly believe in the so called “free lunch”? I mean there are MANY substances you can presently take that make you feel way better, but always come with a cost or a downside. Why should we believe GLP-1 class drugs are any different?

We already know the downsides (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5397288/). The family of drugs has been in use since 2005 for controlling glucose with diabetes. The only new thing is the mass-market use when it turned out to also reduce the physio-mental effects of cravings (food but also apparently other things) in general.

Re: What Ozempic does to the gut-brain axis

#16

Post by joshuamcginnis » Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 10:41 PM UTC

Studies show almost all subjects regained the weight and reversed gains within 2 years. This means underlying issues (e.g., food addiction) aren't being addressed. Short of changing habits, the only maintenance solution is lifelong drug use and that doesn't sit well with me.

Re: What Ozempic does to the gut-brain axis

#17

Post by crooked-v » Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 10:44 PM UTC

I'm curious if this post will also have the same phenomena I've seen before of people springing out of the woodwork to post moralizing comments about people shouldn't rely on drugs, about how actually GLP-1s are bad because they don't fix problems indefinitely with a single dose, about how people should fix their problems by just having more willpower, talking about 'but what about the unknown side effects?' of drugs that have been in use for twenty years already, etc.

Re: What Ozempic does to the gut-brain axis

#18

Post by crooked-v » Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 10:46 PM UTC

joshuamcginnis wrote: post #16

Studies show almost all subjects regained the weight and reversed gains within 2 years. This means underlying issues (e.g., food addiction) aren't being addressed. Short of changing habits, the only maintenance solution is lifelong drug use and that doesn't sit well with me.

Plenty of people have lifelong drug use of, say, caffeine, or aspirin as a blood thinner, or various antihistamines. Why is this somehow worse? Particularly keeping in mind that it's very easy to make, so once the patents expire, it's going to be dirt cheap as generics everywhere.

Re: What Ozempic does to the gut-brain axis

#19

Post by vidarh » Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 10:48 PM UTC

sandcat_ wrote: post #7

randycupertino wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm on GLP-1 and it's completely stopped my urge to online shop. I used to browse/shop for fun and out of habit or when I was stressed out or wanted a treat etc. Entirely resolved! I've also lost 40lbs on it.

I'm curious, has it affected pleasure at all in other areas of life? Are things you used to enjoy still as enjoyable? Is it more the "addictiveness" of things that has dropped, as opposed to how enjoyable they are? (Never tried them myself, but very intrigued by them.)

I went on them because I started boomeranging back after a long and very successful diet. It was pretty much the plan - I wanted to get as far as I could "naturally" and then use GLP-1's to bring me the rest of the way and keep me there, but I was surprised at just how rapidly I started adding weight again.

It stopped me cold and has gotten me almost back down at the lowest I was at after my diet so far and I keep losing at a slower pace but basically without effort.

In terms of pleasure, I'd say mostly no with some caveats. I have fewer snacks, and drink less coke, and I enjoyed both. I don't find chocolate or baked goods as enticing any more, but it's not stopped me from enjoying them on occasion.

It's more that it's stopped me from wanting them as often. I find it easier to tell myself not to grab a snack when I'm already full in particular. Before I might overeat to the point of discomfort.

So when I now actively choose to enjoy those things, I'm more likely to actually enjoy the whole experience.

I'd say the exception is probably coke, which I do find less enjoyable.

Re: What Ozempic does to the gut-brain axis

#20

Post by meetingthrower » Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 10:50 PM UTC

randycupertino wrote: post #4

vladmk wrote: post #3

Mice are not people, but interesting link

I'm on GLP-1 and it's completely stopped my urge to online shop. I used to browse/shop for fun and out of habit or when I was stressed out or wanted a treat etc. Entirely resolved! I've also lost 40lbs on it.

To the others on this reply, I take 1/4 dose of the "clinical dose" and it has been life changing. I've lost 30 lbs. I've done that in the past, but for me that was harder than ranger school in the army.

I LOVE food. Eating out and family dinner were always important to me. I was very worried that I would lose my pleasure in this.

I haven't.

But now I can just eat 1/2 slice of pie. Or 1 scoop of ice cream, etc etc. I don't have the crazy urge to EAT IT ALL.

Also I loved drinking. I actually still love drinking. But I get done at 2.5 drinks. And once a week.

It adds up. Makes you wonder what free will is.Variance in GLPs are naturally occuring. I find the people who say "I forgot to eat" relatable now. Our bodies were not designed for abundance. At least not mine.