When you first start taking a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication, you probably expect to feel full. But you might not anticipate how it can influence your emotions.
“These medications don’t just act on your stomach,” says Malti Vij, MD, a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and adjunct associate professor of medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. “They also act on the brain.”
Research suggests GLP-1s act on satiety centers in the brain, which control hunger and eating behavior, and reward centers, which affect pleasure and the motivation to do the things we enjoy.
By reducing reward-seeking behavior, GLP-1s might curb more than overeating. Emerging research suggests these medications could also help people cut back on drinking, smoking, and illicit drug use.
The direct effect of GLP-1s on the brain can partially explain their emotional impact. Weight loss itself, which can become noticeable in a matter of weeks, can also affect your emotions.
1. You May Feel a Lot More Grateful
“The biggest thing that I hear in my practice is that people are grateful they don’t have that food noise anymore,” says Dr. Vij.
When you spend less time thinking about what you’re going to eat next, you can focus on things you’d rather be doing. “People say they have more control when attending get-togethers, so they can focus on building relationships and connecting with people,” says Vij. Of course, there can be downsides, such as possibly feeling disconnected from a cultural tradition or social event that revolves around food.
2. Your Sex Life May Improve
Research on the sexual effects of GLP-1s shows mixed results.
3. You May Have Better Impulse Control
By dampening reward signals, GLP-1s allow you to pause before doing something you might regret later, such as drinking too much.
“The frequency is the same, but people are drinking smaller amounts,” says Vij. “The urge [and] the pleasure feeling that you get from drinking alcohol are less, and that’s a good thing.”
4. Your Mood May Improve
Obesity can contribute to depression, and depression can make obesity harder to control.
For some people, losing weight on a GLP-1 helps alleviate depression, in part because of having more self-esteem and a more positive outlook, she says.
“Still, if you’ve been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness, such as an eating disorder or depression, you’ll want to discuss that up front,” says Vij. For many people, symptoms improve, but close monitoring in the first three months of taking the medication is critical.
5. You May Feel More Hopeful About Your Future
Many people with obesity tell Vij they’re worried about their health. When they start a GLP-1 and see progress, they feel better about their future. “People say, ‘I’m losing weight, I’m being more active. I have my life back.’”
One of her patients gained significant weight after being diagnosed with cancer, a thyroid problem, and prediabetes. She felt like her health was spiraling. When she started taking a GLP-1, she started shedding the weight quickly. She was able to cut back on her antidepressant, blood pressure medication, and cholesterol medication.
“Emotionally, that gives her a sense that she can focus on her cancer treatment,” says Vij.
6. You May Feel a Stronger Sense of Belonging
Unfortunately, cultural stigma around obesity is still a very real problem. “People with obesity are often marginalized,” says Vij. It’s not just the public and the media. “Even in hospital settings and doctor’s offices, we see people saying that because someone is obese, that’s why they have all other problems, without further questioning,” she says.
When people lose weight on GLP-1s, the judgment from others starts to fade. “They can participate in fun activities like swimming without being stigmatized,” she says.
While most people report positive effects while on GLP-1s, the experience isn’t golden for everyone, says Vij. As with any medication, results vary.
If you’re stressed about food or feeling worse, not better, on a GLP-1, tell your doctor. The right medication can help you improve many aspects of your health, not just the number on the scale.
The Takeaway
- GLP-1s work directly on your brain, which can influence your emotions. They can also help you lose significant weight, which has emotional impacts, too.
- Many people report positive emotional effects, such as gratitude, improved mood, and reduced depression, but results vary.
- If your emotional health is getting worse, not better, on a GLP-1, talk to your doctor right away.
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