Overcoming the Psychological Effects of GLP-1 Medications: Balancing Weight Loss Goals with Developing New, Healthy Thought Patterns

For many people who have gotten on the GLP-1 bandwagon to lose weight, the nuanced psychological effects that come with what makes medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide work for weight loss are beginning to gain more and more attention. 

GLP-1s introduce not just a new experience of near-constant satiety (feeling full) to those who had rarely felt it before, but they can also come with a profound alteration in the ability to feel the pleasure of eating. 

In this article, we will do a deep dive into how these shifts in the deep-rooted feelings that surround food can lead to significant psychological changes, and how best to deal with those changes, including the proven strategy of having a professional weight loss coach in your corner while you lose the weight. 

Science Behind GLP-1s, in Brief 

Most people have heard of these medications, such as semaglutide, but don’t understand how they actually work. These drugs work by imitating the GLP-1 hormone found naturally in the body, which plays a crucial role in glucose (sugar and carbohydrate) metabolism. These drugs help to increase insulin secretion (which helps process sugars), suppress glucagon release (which stops the body from producing more sugar), and slows stomach emptying (which makes you feel full). 

In the context of weight loss, the combination of these effects translates into lower feelings of hunger and higher feelings of fullness. 

An Altered Relationship with Food? 

 A loss of pleasure in eating is one of the psychological changes associated with the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists. For many people, the feelings of pleasure from eating a favorite food, or indulging in a rewarding treat, or even just the comfort of a home-cooked meal are major components of their relationship with food. With GLP-1s, people are reporting that these rewards seem to be almost numbed or desensitized.

This can be really distressing for someone who previously felt passionately about the experience of eating. If you are having a difficult time understanding this, imagine that you suddenly lose feelings of pleasure from whatever it is that you enjoy, be it reading a book or watching a great movie. As you can now imagine, losing that enjoyment for something you have spent many years savoring would be a difficult thing to live with. 

But, What Causes this Pleasure Reduction? 

Pleasure that comes from food is linked to a burst of fireworks in the brain caused by dopamine in the brain’s reward system. If we like what we eat, the brain lets us know by firing up dopamine neurons, thereby triggering the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine triggers a sensation of pleasure, which makes you crave those foods more. 

GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide somehow seem to block or at least blunt this process. Someone who is used to feeling those fireworks when they bite into a piece of fried chicken or chocolate cake, may feel a sense of emptiness or longing when that pleasure feeling doesn’t come as they expected. 

As research suggests, GLP-1s put a big damper on reward centers in the brain, which can lower or block pleasurable responses to foods. 

Emotional and Psychological Impact of GLP-1s 

This reduced appreciation for eating can manifest differently psychologically for different people. For some people, this becomes less of a loss – a hardship, maybe, but not destructive of enjoyment of life. They might find other things that bring enjoyment as a replacement, or simply be ok with not feeling pleasure from food. They may think of it from the perspective of a person quitting tobacco smoking, for example, and see it as “worth it” for their health. 

On the other hand, for many people this sense of loss can also lead, as we mentioned earlier, to emotional disturbances. This is particularly challenging for someone who previously enjoyed cooking, baking, or tasting different foods. If food was a big part of your life and you suddenly lose the pleasure that came with that interest, then there can be a serious sense of loss. After all, food is much more than just fuel for most people – it’s also a source of joy, comfort, and a pleasant part of other people’s company. 

Coaching to Cope with Change 

It’s certainly an adjustment to live with this new relationship with food. Some people will need to look for new sources of pleasure and gratification to fill the hole that food might have been filling. Perhaps it will be taking up a new hobby, trying a new sport or some other form of self-care and relaxation. 

What many people find helpful in this process is to work closely with a coach who can help them confront and then create a comprehensive plan to move forward with these feelings. Weight loss coaches offer expertise in, and a focus on, coping with all of the challenges that come with a weight loss journey. They can be especially helpful when it comes to coping with these types of changes in feelings and emotions around food and eating. 

A coach can help in many ways, including:

• Providing emotional validation and support
• Helping to find new sources of pleasure
• Teaching mindful eating practices
• Using cognitive behavioral (CBT) techniques
• Giving nutritional advice
• Teaching stress management techniques
• Checking in and keeping you accountable 

So, reach out to a coach today if you are having issues with the emotional side of eating, or the effects of GLP-1 medications on your emotions. 

Summing it Up on GLP-1s and the Psychology of Eating 

The psychological effects of GLP-1 medications extend beyond just the feelings of fullness and lack of hunger that the medication creates. These medications have other effects, many of which we are just beginning to understand. One of these effects is the loss of feelings of pleasure from eating food. For many people, this can cause a serious sense of loss. 

For those struggling with these feelings, but wanting to remain on medication for the health benefits of reducing obesity, a weight loss coach may be a great option. Although a coach can’t bring back those feelings of pleasure from food, they are well-equipped to supply you with several tools and strategies to keep you motivated and emotionally well through these difficult changes. Whether you’re preparing to start on a GLP-1 weight loss journey or already on an established one, the support of a weight loss coach may be the missing link to all around success, on and off the scale. Metabolic Research Center’s balanced approach to weight loss incorporates the science of GLP-1 weight loss medications like semaglutide with the efficacy of professional weight loss coaching. The end result is a more well-rounded experience that simply works. Connect with an MRC weight loss coach today to take your weight loss journey with GLP-1 medications to the next level.

 

*Prescribing medications for Metabolic Research Center patients is solely based on the professional opinion of clinicians and not Metabolic Research Center. Not all patients will qualify for medication. Metabolic Research Center offers compounded medications. Compounds are not FDA-approved, but clinicians might prescribe based on their professional clinical opinion. All medications can come with significant risks or side effects, and Metabolic Research Center patients should discuss all risks and potential side effects with their clinician when prescribed.  Individual results can vary based on starting body weight, diet, and exercise plan. Medication prescriptions require approval from your clinician based on your health history.

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