GLP-1

Let’s Talk About the Shot

Science vs. Fear & Stigma

An Evidence-Based Guide to GLP-1 Weight-Loss Medications—Myths, Side Effects, and Real Results

For months, I’ve watched the internet—and even some so-called professionals—serve up reheated rumors about GLP-1 medications like they’re five-star facts. Everywhere you turn, people are either freaking out about “the shot” or rolling their eyes at anyone who uses it. and honestly? It’s exhausting—and it’s annoying.

This blog isn’t about convincing you to start a medication—or telling you to stop one. It’s about clearing the air. It’s about offering real information without fear-mongering, judgment, or moral panic—whether that misinformation is coming from strangers, family, friends, online or from professionals who should know better.

I’m here to break down what these medications are, what they actually do, and what the real side effects and risks look like—because you deserve to know the facts. No pressure. No agenda. Just information—so you can make the decision that’s right for you.

Let’s start with the basics: what these meds are, what they aren’t, and why they’ve become such a big deal.

Meet the Meds: GLP-1s and Beyond

Ozempic (semaglutide)

• Approved for: Type 2 diabetes

• Released in: December 2017

• Common use today: Frequently prescribed off-label for weight loss

• Average weight loss: About 12–15%

• Notable facts: Its weight-loss “side effect” turned it into a pop-culture phenomenon

Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg)

• Approved for: Chronic weight management

• Released in: June 2021

• Common use today: A go-to GLP-1 medication for obesity

• Average weight loss: Around 15%

• Notable facts: Same active ingredient as Ozempic, but approved at higher dosage specifically for weight loss

Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

• Approved for: Type 2 diabetes

• Released in: May 2022

• Common use today: Prescribed for diabetes; widely used off-label for significant weight loss

• Average weight loss: Up to 21%

• Notable facts: Dual-action—targets both GLP-1 and GIP hormones for enhanced effectiveness

Zepbound (tirzepatide)

• Approved for: Chronic weight management

• Released in: November 2023

• Common use today: FDA-approved specifically for obesity

• Average weight loss: Up to 22%

• Notable facts: One of the most effective medications currently available for weight loss

Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg)

• Approved for: Weight management in adults and adolescents (12+)

• Released in: December 2014

• Common use today: An older GLP-1 medication option for obesity

• Average weight loss: About 5–8%

• Notable facts: Requires daily injections, unlike newer weekly alternatives

Rybelsus (oral semaglutide)

• Approved for: Type 2 diabetes

• Released in: September 2019

• Common use today: The only oral GLP-1 medication currently available

• Average weight loss: Approximately 5–10%, depending on dosage

• Notable facts: Ideal for those uncomfortable with injections

CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide)

• Status: Currently in Phase III trials (not yet FDA-approved)

• Average weight loss: Up to 20% in clinical trials

• Notable facts: Combines GLP-1 agonist semaglutide with amylin receptor agonist cagrilintide for enhanced weight-loss results

Orforglipron (oral GLP-1)

• Status: FDA submission expected by late 2025

• Average weight loss: Around 8% (approximately 16 pounds) in clinical studies

• Notable facts: Small-molecule oral GLP-1 agonist; no refrigeration needed

Retatrutide (triple-agonist GLP-1, GIP, glucagon)

• Status: Currently in Phase II/III trials

• Average weight loss: 17.5–24% in initial studies

• Notable facts: Promising triple-targeting mechanism for substantial weight reduction

Mazdutide (IBI-362)

• Status: Approved in China as of June 2025; in Phase III trials globally

• Average weight loss: Significant clinical effectiveness in early studies

• Notable facts: Dual GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist; pending broader global approvals

Ecnoglutide

• Status: Mid-stage clinical development; potential U.S. licensing discussions ongoing

• Average weight loss: Approximately 10–15%

• Notable facts: Potential lower-cost, weekly injectable alternative under consideration

  
  

What to Expect: Side Effects and Safety

Across the board, gastrointestinal symptoms are the most common side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and mild stomach cramps. These are typically most noticeable when starting or increasing doses and often fade over time.

Tips to manage early side effects:

• Start low, go slow with dosing

• Eat small, protein-rich meals

• Stay hydrated

  
  

Serious side effects to watch for:

• Severe abdominal pain (may signal pancreatitis)

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

If these occur, contact your provider immediately.

What Happens If You Stop?

Like most medications, GLP-1s only work while you’re taking them. In one follow-up to the STEP-1 trial, participants regained two-thirds of their weight loss within a year of stopping semaglutide. On the flip side, continuing use offers big benefits. The SELECT trial showed semaglutide reduced heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death risk by 20% over two years.

Bottom line: These medications are tools, not magic, but when paired with sustainable habits—strength training, healthy eating, consistent sleep—they become powerful allies. Just to keep things in perspective—GLP-1s aren’t the only medications people use long-term with side effects and trade-offs. Let’s take a look at a few others you probably hear about all the time, starting with SSRIs.

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

Examples: Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, Paxil

• Approved for: Depression, anxiety, OCD, and more

• Used today for: Boosting serotonin to stabilize mood

• Short-term effects:

  • Nausea (15–25%)

  • Vivid dreams

  • Jitters or restlessness (fade after ~4 weeks)

• Long-term effects:

  • Weight gain (4–7 kg on average)

  • Sexual dysfunction (30–50%)

  • Emotional blunting (up to 60%)

  • Increased fracture risk in postmenopausal adults

• If you stop: Sudden withdrawal can trigger “brain zaps,” dizziness, and irritability—always taper slowly

  
  

Notable tip: Meds take 4–6 weeks to work, and tapering is key when stopping

While SSRIs are often used for long-term mood stabilization, some people also need fast-acting relief—especially in the middle of a panic attack or high-stress situation. That’s where anxiety medications come in.

Fast-Acting Anxiety Meds

Examples: Xanax, Ativan, Hydroxyzine, Propranolol

• Approved for: Anxiety, panic attacks, and acute stress

• Used today for: Short-term relief, pre-event calming, or nighttime support

• Short-term effects:

  • Sedation (≈40%)

  • Slower reflexes

  • Dry mouth or fatigue (especially with hydroxyzine)

• Long-term effects:

  • Dependence risk (15–30% with daily benzo use)

  • Tolerance builds quickly, requiring higher doses

• If you stop: Abrupt benzo withdrawal can trigger seizures or rebound anxiety—taper under supervision

Notable tip: Hydroxyzine and propranolol offer non-addictive options but work differently

If you think anxiety meds are popular, just wait—let’s talk about painkillers. You know, the multi-billion-dollar industry that hands out pills like candy, often with way more risk and way less shame attached.

Pain Meds (Over-the-Counter + Prescription)

Examples: Acetaminophen, NSAIDs, Opioids

• Approved for: Mild to severe pain, inflammation, post-surgical recovery

• Used today for: Everything from headaches to chronic back pain

• Short-term effects:

  • Acetaminophen: Safe for stomach, hard on liver in high doses

  • NSAIDs: Effective but increase risk of GI bleeding and kidney issues

  • Opioids: Potent pain relief but cause drowsiness and constipation

• Long-term effects:

  • Acetaminophen: Chronic overuse can lead to irreversible liver damage or acute liver failure

  • NSAIDs: Prolonged use can strain the kidneys, raise blood pressure, and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke

  • Opioids: Tolerance, physical dependence, and high misuse rates (about 1 in 3 with long-term use)

• If you stop:

  • Acetaminophen: No true withdrawal symptoms, but pain may return

  • NSAIDs: No withdrawal symptoms, but underlying pain and inflammation often flare up again

  • Opioids: Withdrawal can trigger chills, sweating, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, insomnia—tapering under medical supervision is critical

Notable tip: Use the lowest dose for the shortest time. Add a laxative when starting opioids.

No medication is good or bad in isolation. It’s all about how it’s used and whether it fits your needs.

Here’s What Matters Most:

• Know your drug. Read the label. Ask questions. Ignore social media advice unless it’s from an expert.

• Side effects are usually early or dose-related. Don’t panic—but don’t ignore them either.

• Lifestyle + meds = better outcomes. Move your body, eat well, rest, hydrate, go to therapy.

• Don’t ghost your meds. Taper with guidance—it’s safer and easier on your body.

• Your provider and pharmacist are your best allies. Don’t be afraid to call and ask, “Is this normal?”

  
  

I could go on and on listing high-demand medications — ADHD treatments like Adderall and Vyvanse, statins for high cholesterol like Lipitor and Crestor, or addiction support meds like methadone, Suboxone, and naltrexone (used to reduce alcohol cravings). These, too, are long-term medications that can bring harm if not paired with lifestyle change and accountability and yet… none of them seem to catch the same moral backlash that GLP-1s do. Why is it that this particular class of medication—the one often labeled as “the easy way/short cut”— gets the side-eye? What about birth control, which millions rely on every day and also carries side effects and long-term implications?

Reframing the Double Standards

Here’s the truth: there’s no such thing as a medication without risk. Every single one comes with side effects, potential complications, or long-term consequences. We just tend to accept the ones that align with our values or biases. But at the end of the day, they’re all the same—tools designed to help manage something that’s become unmanageable. Needing help shouldn’t be a source of shame. It should be a reason to lean into compassion and yet, here’s where the double standard shows up—loudly.

So when people say, “There’s not enough research,” I have to raise an eyebrow. We didn’t say that in 2020 when the COVID-19 vaccines were developed and rolled out in record time. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna both released their mRNA vaccines less than a year after the virus emerged—thanks to decades of existing research, global collaboration, and the urgency of the pandemic. Millions lined up, trusting the science despite limited long-term data. I get it—when something is life-threatening, we make space for the unknown. But here’s what’s frustrating: GLP-1s weren’t rushed. These medications have been in use for diabetes care for over a decade. Wegovy, Ozempic, and the rest didn’t just appear—they evolved from years of trials, clinical use, and data collection. The weight-loss applications are an extension of existing science, not a random leap. So, if we were willing to trust a brand-new vaccine in a global crisis, let’s not pretend GLP-1s are “too new to believe in.” The truth is, it’s not really about the research—it’s about the stigma.

You know what’s funny? When medications help you control blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, or heart issues, it’s celebrated.“Good for you!” they say. “Take care of your health!” But the second you use a medication that helps you control your weight — the very weight contributing to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart strain, back pain, joint pain, and knee problems — suddenly it’s controversial. Suddenly it’s "cheating." Suddenly you’re lazy, weak, or taking the "easy way out."

It’s a joke — and it’s a double standard that needs to end.

But let’s keep going, because there’s even more to this.

What About This One?

Here’s another one we don’t seem to question nearly as much: Plan B One-Step.

This emergency contraceptive has been sitting on pharmacy shelves since 1999, becoming one of the most widely used ways to prevent unplanned pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. You can stroll into almost any drugstore, toss it in your basket next to your gum and Advil, and take it—no prescription, no doctor, no consultation, no counseling—nothing—to trigger your body to stop or delay ovulation and potentially prevent a pregnancy.

Guess what?! When it first hit the market, there was very little long-term data—especially around repeated use, menstrual changes, or impacts on younger users. But did that stop anyone? Nope. It was FDA-approved, accessible, and effective. So it quickly became normal, acceptable, and largely unquestioned.

So again—why are we suddenly pretending GLP-1s need 30 years of research and a handwritten letter from the universe before anyone can use them? People are already making informed choices about far more immediate, body-altering medications every single day.

It’s not about the data. It’s about the bias!!!

When Professionals Cross the Line

Let’s talk about something that truly shocks me: mental health and other professionals shaming or threatening to stop working with clients who choose GLP-1 medications.

How dare you! 

What happened to meeting clients where they’re at? What happened to holding space for autonomy, informed choice, and ethical practice? If you’re a licensed professional, your role is not to project your personal beliefs onto your client’s body. It’s to provide evidence-based guidance, honor the client’s self-determination, and remain within your scope of practice.

Now, I can understand a physician expressing concern about a medication due to legitimate medical risks—that’s their lane. That’s appropriate. But when a therapist or coach, who isn’t trained in pharmacology, actively advises a client to stop a medically prescribed treatment based on personal bias? That’s not just unethical—it’s harmful.

The double standard is wild. You’ll advocate for psychiatric meds with known side effects, but suddenly take a moral stance against GLP-1s? You’ll encourage clients to stay on SSRIs or benzodiazepines—which also impact appetite, mood, and neurochemistry—but you draw the line at a medication that helps regulate insulin and weight?

If you don’t understand the science behind it—fine. Then say that. Advise the client to speak with their prescribing provider. But don’t pretend that your discomfort is clinical insight. Declare yourself incompetent on the topic, as you’re ethically required to do, and let the client make informed choices with the right support. Because the most ethical thing you can do sometimes is step back and make room for the client’s expertise in their own body. But hey—don’t just take my word for it. Here’s what real people have shared about their experiences with GLP-1 medications.

Real People, Real Results

I’m part of several online communities where thousands of individuals share how GLP-1 medications have profoundly changed their lives. As a clinician, I’ve seen firsthand how these treatments have helped clients reclaim their health, confidence, and peace of mind.

Personally? These medications have been life-changing for me, too. Honestly, I could write an entire book about my journey—full of nothing but positive outcomes.

But this blog isn’t about me. Let’s move on and hear directly from others whose lives have been transformed.

The narratives are compelling:

• Madison, after years of unsuccessful dieting and even considering bariatric surgery, found success with semaglutide. She describes a newfound "peace around food," losing 60 pounds in six months and finally feeling in control of her eating habits. (Claya)

• Lindsay Warner, who struggled with weight fluctuations her entire life, shared that using a GLP-1 medication helped her realize that her challenges weren't due to a lack of willpower but rather her body's unique needs. (Lose It!)

• Mary, a mom of three in the UK, shared with The Sun that she lost five stone (about 70 pounds) in five months using Mounjaro. Although she eventually stopped due to cost, she described the medication as "a miracle" for helping her regain control of her body. (The Sun)

  
  

Here’s the thing: it’s not just about weight

GLP-1 medications are showing promise in a wide range of health areas. People are reporting unexpected, positive outcomes that go far beyond the scale:

• Emma Clark, a 29-year-old mother from Scotland, shared that while on Mounjaro, not only did her periods return after years of irregularity, but her psoriasis—something she'd battled for nine years—cleared completely. (The Sun UK)

• Senator John Fetterman recently credited Mounjaro with helping him feel “a decade younger,” citing improvements in mental clarity, inflammation reduction, and energy. (NY Post)

• GLP-1s are also being studied for perimenopausal symptom relief, including hot flashes and mood swings, and for fatty liver disease, due to their anti-inflammatory and insulin-regulating effects. (Health, Yale New Haven Health)

  
  

These stories are not isolated. A study published in ScienceDirect analyzing social media discussions found that users often report positive experiences with GLP-1 medications—highlighting improvements in appetite regulation, daily functioning, and overall well-being.

GLP-1 Medications and Eating Disorders: What We Know

There’s growing interest in whether GLP-1 medications could help treat eating disorders like binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Binge eating disorder involves consuming unusually large amounts of food while feeling a loss of control, without regular purging behaviors. Bulimia nervosa also involves binge episodes, but with attempts to "undo" them through vomiting, excessive exercise, or other compensatory behaviors.

Early research shows that GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as liraglutide and semaglutide, may help reduce binge episodes and support weight management in some individuals. However, results are mixed. Some studies show no significant improvement in eating disorder behaviors, and experts warn that these medications could potentially worsen disordered eating patterns in vulnerable populations.

Currently, GLP-1s are not FDA-approved for treating eating disorders, and the existing research is still limited in size and duration. Healthcare providers are urged to exercise caution when prescribing GLP-1s to individuals with a history of disordered eating until more large-scale studies are completed.

Real People, Real Stories

Beyond the research, many individuals are sharing how GLP-1 medications have positively impacted their eating behaviors and mental health.

• Jonathan Van Ness, known from Queer Eye, shared in an interview with People that using a GLP-1 medication helped him gain immediate control over binge eating behaviors and significantly improved his relationship with food (People, 2024).

• Danielle Sinay, a writer for Glamour, discussed her experience with Ozempic, explaining how it improved her well-being and mental health by helping her manage symptoms of binge eating disorder (Glamour, 2024).

  
  

These are personal experiences—not clinical studies—but they highlight an important reality: for many people, GLP-1 medications have provided life-changing benefits that extend well beyond weight loss alone. Individuals are experiencing meaningful, tangible relief from these medications, underscoring their broader potential. It’s essential we move beyond stigma and openly acknowledge the legitimate, multidimensional advantages they can offer. While common concerns like “insufficient research,” “potential side effects,” and “risks” remain frequently cited, it's crucial to recognize and respect the positive impact these treatments are having on real lives.

Newsflash: Every medication comes with risks. Some people take penicillin and walk out healed; others take penicillin and almost die. Antidepressants save lives—and cause side effects. Blood pressure meds prevent strokes—and still aren’t right for everybody. That’s not a failure of the medication. That’s reality.

Medicine isn’t perfect. It’s personal. Not every drug is for every person. Not every treatment will work for everyone and pretending that GLP-1s should be held to some magical standard of perfection no other medication has ever met? That’s not caution.That’s hypocrisy.

Let’s Talk About the Fear

Let’s be real—a lot of people don’t move forward with GLP-1 medications because they’re scared. It makes sense. Fear is powerful. It stops us from asking questions. It convinces us to wait, doubt, delay. Some fear the side effects. Some fear what others will think. Some fear they’ll become “dependent” on a medication and some fear they’ll try, and fail—again.

But here’s the thing: fear is not a fact and fear should not be the thing that keeps you from exploring something that could change your life. You don’t have to leap without looking.

You can research, ask your doctor, join a support group, track your progress. But don’t let fear—especially fear rooted in shame or misinformation—be louder than your desire to feel better. To function better. To live better. You’re allowed to want more for yourself. You’re allowed to try. You’re allowed to do it with the support of modern medicine. Speaking of fear and misinformation… I have a special message for the real inspiration behind this blog—the ones who lit this fire in the first place.

A Message to the Misinformers

This — this— is where my frustration and motivation to write this started. Stop misinforming. Just stop. Whether you're a coach, therapist, trainer, teacher, or even a doctor—if you're sharing opinions as facts without fully understanding the science behind GLP-1 medications, you're doing harm. If you're speaking from bias instead of evidence, you’re not helping. You're misleading.

How about reading a little more? How about taking a training—just like you did when you learned about SSRIs, mood stabilizers, or any other class of medications? This isn’t new. This isn’t radical. It’s a treatment that’s helping people—and you have a professional obligation to meet them with accuracy, not judgment. To the friends and family members making comments, criticizing, or offering unsolicited advice—ask yourself this:

• Are you taking any medications? Have you ever?

• What were they for? To control something that had gotten out of control?

• To ease a pain you couldn't handle on your own? 

• To stabilize your mood because it was affecting your life?

Because if you have—then you already know exactly what it feels like to need help.

So why shame someone else for getting theirs?

FOR THE RECORD

This is NOT a Shortcut

Let’s shut down the “shortcut” narrative once and for all.

Who said this medication was a walk in the park? Because if you're doing this the right way, it’s anything but easy. Anyone using a GLP-1 responsibly knows—it takes work. It takes commitment. It takes change.

You need a doctor monitoring your progress. You need a nutritionist guiding your intake. You need to track your meals, log your water, get in your daily protein, and stay consistent with movement and exercise—even on the days your energy dips. You need to rewrite your relationship with food, often after years of stress eating, shame, or restriction.

This is not a cheat code. It’s a tool—one piece of a much bigger lifestyle shift and if you're using it intentionally, it requires:

• Daily self-awareness

• Long-term habit building

• Mental, physical, and emotional discipline

  
  

What’s so “easy” about finally having to face the very patterns you once used to avoid?What’s so “lazy” about someone choosing to fight for their health using every tool available?

Let’s be clear: this isn’t a shortcut—and it’s definitely not the easy way out. It’s a path—one that demands time, energy, discipline, and often a complete life overhaul and if you're on it, you deserve respect, not ridicule.

So...

The next time someone talks about “the shot,” maybe pause before you roll your 👀 .

Ask a question 🙋‍♀️

Learn something 📖

Above all — Listen with respect👂

While this is a blog—not a research paper or a literature review—I decided to include my sources anyway, just in case you want to keep reading and learning for yourself.

The great thing about blogs is that we can say what we want, how we feel, and share our experiences—but even with that freedom, I still want the blogs on my website to remain informative, educational, and unapologetically me.

Because I know someone, somewhere, is already itching to scream, "Where are your sources?!"—here you go. You're welcome. Yes, they’re in APA style, too

Gold star ⭐️ if you even recognize it.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2018). Discontinuation syndrome and SSRIs. Psychiatry Online. https://www.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.18060692

Bartel, S. C., et al. (2023). Use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in eating disorder populations. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 57(2), 286–293. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24109

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Understanding mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html

Drugs.com. (n.d.). GLP-1 receptor agonists overview. https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/glp-1-receptor-agonists.html

Dutta, S. S. (2024, March 4). New hope for binge eating and bulimia: GLP-1 drugs could be the key. News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240304/New-hope-for-binge-eating-and-bulimia-GLP-1-drugs-could-be-the-key.aspx

Emergency Contraception Website (EC-EC). (2013). FDA announcement on OTC access to Plan B One-Step. https://www.ec-ec.org/us-fda-approves-plan-b-one-step-otc/

KFF Health News. (2024). Emergency contraception: Plan B use and acceptance. https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/emergency-contraception-plan-b-private-equity-abortion-debate/

National Eating Disorders Association. (2024). GLP-1 medications and eating disorders. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/glp-and-eating-disorders/

National Institutes of Health, PubMed Central (PMC). (2021). Adverse effects and tolerability of SSRIs. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8395812/

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2011). Propranolol (Inderal) labeling. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/016418s080,016762s017,017683s008lbl.pdf

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2014). Hydroxyzine (Vistaril) labeling. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/011459s048,011795s025lbl.pdf

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2016). Opioid side effects and risks. https://www.fda.gov/media/99761/download

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Benzodiazepine drug information. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/benzodiazepine-drug-information

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Boxed warning updates for benzodiazepines. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Acetaminophen safety information. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/acetaminophen-information

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Risks of NSAIDs and gastrointestinal bleeding. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-strengthens-warning-about-risk-heart-attack-and-stroke-non

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Ozempic (semaglutide) side effects. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/ozempic-and-side-effects-how-long-will-they-last-8548295

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Zepbound approval and efficacy. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/fda-approves-zepbound-for-weight-loss-8399784

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Oral GLP-1 medications for diabetes and weight loss. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/daily-glp1-pill-for-diabetes-and-weight-trial-11717535