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Elaine's avatar

I'm surprised that more of the discourse around GLP's doesn't discuss some of the other impacts these drugs have on at least some people - several people close me to who are on them talk about a "post-desire" life - it's not just food noise that's tamped down, it's sex noise, drinking, shopping, smoking you name it. Some of those things we all want to be free (or freer) from, but for some not-insignificant number of people it really does a number on your sex drive. I've watched my beloved SO drop 30 pounds, but I've also watched him go from big ribald personality who loved one bourbon too many to .... something much calmer. I know from other folks that this is not unique. I love to cook, I love wine, I love my desirous craving personality - so I'll be the last affluent person in America who is 10 pounds overweight!

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Emily Sundberg's avatar

I love this part of conversation — so many things that have to do with hunger (food or otherwise) make us human. Does your SO feel as affected by this shift as you do?

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Elaine's avatar

He’s pretty confused about it to be honest. He refers to himself as “changed” but likes to think he could change back - at first he didn’t really want to acknowledge a connection to Wegovy because it’s scary to realize how much we are just a product of chemistry but recently he’s been trying to titrate his own dose down to “feel” more

- healthwise he needs to keep the weight off but he would like to be a little more his “old self”. His doctor discounts every thing but the weight loss which I think is a problem. Doctors need to be ready to talk about the whole picture.

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tragedyplum's avatar

I also am very interested to see how this develops. I see more and more thin people taking this drugs to simply make it easier to resist, but also for the metabolic benefits. I know GLP-1s are being studied for all sorts of addictions. I feel like weight loss and diabetes management is only the beginning here. I do think we could be in for a paradigm shift wrt desire. It’s a little frightening, because desire and want are a huge part of what makes us human.

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Emily Sundberg's avatar

And food/drinking is such a big part of so many cultures and family memories

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tragedyplum's avatar

Part of me wonders, do we just evolve and leave this behind? It already seems like people eat and drink less. Although, the massive line and sell out at Mimi’s this weekend, along with general restaurant and snack hype, suggests that most of us still want to eat. Obviously no known drug will take away our need to eat *something*. Perhaps it’s just going to be an adjustment. Everything will get smaller to accommodate people’s reduced appetites. I wonder if we will still have birthday cakes…

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Emily Sundberg's avatar

Evolve and leave….. Sunday sauce behind 🇮🇹?

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tragedyplum's avatar

it hurts to think about tbh…

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Elisabeth Donnelly's avatar

I genuinely think it could wipe out alcoholism, insofar as you don't get the pleasure hit in the same way from vices, it kills the voice in your head saying LIFE IS HARD COPE THIS WAY & any time I've had alcohol while taking it, the effects are weird and less fun. I don't drink, really! I do miss it and probably will bring it back into my life eventually. I am traveling to Spain soon.

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SouthKonaJuice's avatar

This is really insightful. Imagine you feeling weird and less fun sitting across from people who are noticing that you are feeling weird and less fun. I think it changes a lot of social dynamics, perhaps even friendships. I think if those on GLP-1 feel weird and less fun, that affect probably takes place on the other side as well. Enjoy Spain. I don't think the Europeans have latched on to the GLP-1 concept so hard yet.

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Rebecca's avatar

So GLP-1s for non-diabetic use are just not anywhere in my world/media/ad diet (haha) and the last time this came up on FeedMe Emily said I should text the article to my friends and I did and the conversation that resulted was basically that my friend group “would rather date someone who is 15-20% overweight than someone who is less fun at dinner”. I feel like that will probably change as we age (we’re in our 30s) and health consequences feel more imminent but yeah, what a non-trivial cultural choice!

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sarahjanecook4's avatar

GLP-1s are clearly a fascinating and important topic, and I can see why you’re featuring them so prominently in your newsletter. But it might help the conversation to include in your coverage other evidence-based perspectives from experts who don’t have any vested interests in these medications.

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Emily Sundberg's avatar

I’m featuring them so prominently in my newsletter today because it’s part of an ad. I disclosed that at the top.

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Kristina Spencer's avatar

Thanks for the last link - I feel like Substack so carefully avoids that type of coverage and I raise many glasses to you for mentioning important journo stuff.

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Jake's avatar

1000%

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Josh R's avatar

that “journalist” was a literal terrorist. what are we doing people

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sam verdile's avatar

Hear hear

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SouthKonaJuice's avatar

I had dinner last night with a friend couple. The woman recently went on GLP-1. She looks great! And I'm happy for her weight loss. I showered her with compliments. My husband and I made a glorious Lebanese meal with fresh vegetables and herbs from our garden, making sure that everything was healthy and colorful. She ate 4 tortilla chips (from a little fresh appetizer) and took 2 sips of a Pacifico. She touched zero of the other food. Her husband was clearly embarrassed and I could tell he was trying to make a dent in the food.

I felt like all dinner time manners and etiquette were thrown out the window, leaving both parties uncomfortable. Should I, knowing that she was on GLP-1, just had them over for apps instead of dinner? Should she, have excused herself for her lack of hunger, and still praised the beautiful meal? Don't we all just praise the meal and at least get down a modest plate minimum out of respect? I was left kerfluffled to say the least, and very distracted and self-conscious with all the food on the table - I wasn't my normal funny and engaging self.

If I was on GLP-1 invited to a couple to couple for dinner at their home, would I feel like I needed to share that I might not eat a lot? I felt totally depleted last night as I threw food away. I told my husband that I just want to go out to dinner with them next time.

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samara's avatar

The bravo cast member (next gen nyc) to federal criminal pipeline keeps growing. I’d love to get an ex producers take on the crypto house situation

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Emily Sundberg's avatar

I wanted to hear from the neighboring businesses!!!!

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debo's avatar

Jalil Johnson’s coverage was 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I recommend to all

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Emily Sundberg's avatar

THE BEST

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tragedyplum's avatar

I think JPMorgan tower is so hot with its Skidmore, Owings & Merrill look. That black is cool. It’s all very Sears Tower/1970s Chicago but still fits in NYC. The shape and structure call to the Empire State. I appreciate that it has a real presence of power and sophistication, and that it’s not

blue. Unfortunately, the LED shit they put on at the top for 4th of July was so tacky. I hope they don’t do that too often.

Sucks about the gym though. Wonder if it’s actually good.

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Cami Fateh's avatar

“It was like D-Day in the Brandy Melville store” is NY mag at its best

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Emily Sundberg's avatar

The whole thing was such a roller coaster. Ezra and Jen are so good at their jobs.

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Dana Leigh Lyons's avatar

A different (but potentially complementary) approach to quieting food noise: https://danaleighlyons.substack.com/p/how-to-quiet-food-noise-without-ozempic

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SouthKonaJuice's avatar

I'm also interested in the investment side of GLP-1s. We've seen Novo Nordisk A/S down. I believe the reasoning stated is competitors. Talking about mainstream, I do feel like it will have to be in a reputable pill form. I know that the Kardashian's and Hers does this, but it's largely seen as a "snake oil" product. The interview was very interesting, and/but I'm still wondering what the medical experts think on the pill form that's out there.

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debo's avatar

Lilly’s developing the 💊 w some data released last week. (I do not work there nor am I an investor)

https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-oral-glp-1-orforglipron-delivers-weight-loss-average-273

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KV's avatar

Thank you for including my question! So interested in GLP-1 creep, but in this case it seems like "good" creep? I'll stay tuned :)

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Amber Nelson's avatar

Thank you Emily and Dr Kumar for answering my question!! I’ve heard so much about “Ozempic babies” recently and wondered what the cause for that could be.

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Emily Sundberg's avatar

So many little side stories beyond weight that have come out of this drug usage

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debo's avatar

😹claw clip RETAIL theft.. I immediately assumed it was the secret endemic of *salon theft* that has resulted in me hauling all my bullshit around w me in a hair salon .. 💇‍♀️ declining polite pleas to check them 🫥

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Lesansfin's avatar

Timely post after staring at the Charles Barkley x Ro Co GLP-1 ad on the subway on my commute home. I wonder how much he got paid for that

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Emily Sundberg's avatar

Haven’t seen those yet… fascinating

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billguy_nyc's avatar

These ads are the only thing that has made me consider this type of meditation.

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Josh R's avatar

one of those watercooler topics is not like the other ...sighs

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Megan's avatar

I keep seeing ads trying to market GLP-1s for longevity / anti aging

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Emily Sundberg's avatar

Link please

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Megan's avatar

It’s been mostly sponsored IG ads but some mainstream press too https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/ozempic-weight-loss-drug-aging-health-benefits-d93a22f8

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