GLP-1s 'cheating' OR a TOOL

[nevets]

I think we live in a society where everything is processed and appeals to our dopamine reward system when we eat food. It's why I was a binge eater, because I would feel happy while eating (followed by shitty feeling afterwards...). I think GLP medications play a huge role in regulating dopaminergic behavior and they are an equalizer in a society where the availability and engineering of food is essentially wired to get us fat.

Unfortunately there is such a stigma with anything medical, whether it's mental health, weight loss, dieting, etc. It is a tool to get us healthier, and it seems to have other positive health effects as well (Lilly is doing a trial on a similar med for alcohol use disorder)

 

[Calm Logic]

It seems there are just as many theories for GLPs as for traditional dieting. Another theory is that GI distress/slowing is negative reinforcement. I'm sure there are various factors at play, depending on the person (and their environment and their biology).

 

[noggin]

GLP1s arent "cheating" they are a tool like a cast for a broken bone, or an SSRI for anxiety. They are instrumentally rational: Weight loss is one of the most profound health interventions, we should aggressivley encourage it.

Here's the cynics take: They are outsourcing willpower. Even if true we should still use GLP1s. Modern neuroscience: willpower = finite. PFC glucose and neural excitation limits set a cap per day. Let's save it for our career, family and not spend it battling snacks.

The deeper truth is clinicals show brain rewiring not some transient fullness. GLP1s hit VTA and decrease dopamine bursts for rewards, this extends beyond food to alcohol, nicotine, other drugs. Early studies show this change persists at least months after GLP1s stopped showing long term plasticity not simple suppression.

Finally, the step trials show very promising weight loss retention (>50% at 24 months). This doesn't fit for a short term cheat.

Losing weight is one of the best ways to avoid chronic disease. If you had a pill to protect your vision everyone would take it, so why not this?

Very insightful information! I found what you said about willpower interesting and decided deeper into it. And while I think your main point holds, the neuroscience behind the idea you mentioned is a little outdated. The idea behind willpower you mentioned is called the "ego depletion model" popularized by Roy Baumeister in the late 1990s. The theory proposed that:

• Self-control uses a limited resource that gets depleted with use
• The prefrontal cortex consumes glucose during willpower exertion
• Once depleted subsequent self-control suffers

This seems great in theory but there have been some issues replicating these findings. A major 2016 replication study with over 2,000 participants found essentially no ego depletion effect. Many other replication attempts have similarly failed to find the effect. Additionally based on what modern science knows about the brain, it uses relatively stable glucose levels which doesn't align with this theory.

The current scientific understanding is that willpower is made of complex inter-connectivity and is more of a cost-benefit analysis than your brain literally running out of energy to exert willpower. Additionally research shows that people who believe willpower is a finite resource show more willpower depletion effect in opposition to those who believe its infinite.

Again, I don't think this detracts from your point at large. I just thought this was very interesting.

 

[noggin]

Yeah it is CICO but I think the big "lie" is the sheer amount of work per double cheeseburger is mindblowing. I just feel like people in general have zero idea how much cardio or strength training or anything is equivalent to a calorie. Their entire gym session that they feel good about wiped out by 2 mountain dews.

When someone asks I always tell them the easiest way to lose 10lbs is really really simple. Just track all the things you consume. Don't even have to try to eat less, the sheer act of connecting the calorie amount to the things you put in your body will make you eat less. They look at me like I have a 2nd head. Then start talking about 10k steps......

So true!!! I literally just counted my calories, not even limited just counted and lost 15 pounds. Unfortunately my body would let me lose no longer since that'd be too far outside my natural weight zone without putting in equivalent extra effort.