That’s true for a certain percentage but misses part of the point here. Once an alcoholic has successfully detoxed, it is possible and highly encouraged that they do not partake any alcohol going forward.
That simply isn’t possible with obesity as humans require food to survive. So this is where the analogy with alcoholism breaks down as it is never possible for the obese person to be the equivalent of “sober.” Instead they have to learn moderation which is conceptually a different challenge than becoming a teetotaler.
That’s a good point. I read that a lot of morbidly obese people process food the same as normal people process drugs or vigorous exercise. Their body produces endorphins when they eat, which is what leads to the excessive eating. They’re literally addicts, getting high all the time. Is there any medication that can block the endorphin response to their eating, since it’s pretty much a chemical abnormality? Maybe something like naltrexone?
As your stomach fills and stretches it sends a chemical “I’m full” message (GLP1) to the brain. When this signal is low you are hungary, medium you are full, and high you get nauseous.
Ozempic causes that message to be produced at low constant levels in addition to what is produced by the stomach.
So you don’t feel as hungry, you hit satiety faster, and if you continue to eat you get nauseous. This results in behaviors that reduce calorie consumption.
It also delays gastric emptying which also keeps you feeling full longer.
That’s true for a certain percentage but misses part of the point here. Once an alcoholic has successfully detoxed, it is possible and highly encouraged that they do not partake any alcohol going forward.
That simply isn’t possible with obesity as humans require food to survive. So this is where the analogy with alcoholism breaks down as it is never possible for the obese person to be the equivalent of “sober.” Instead they have to learn moderation which is conceptually a different challenge than becoming a teetotaler.
Food isn’t addictive in the same way alcohol or other drugs are though.
Ah yes it is.
That’s a good point. I read that a lot of morbidly obese people process food the same as normal people process drugs or vigorous exercise. Their body produces endorphins when they eat, which is what leads to the excessive eating. They’re literally addicts, getting high all the time. Is there any medication that can block the endorphin response to their eating, since it’s pretty much a chemical abnormality? Maybe something like naltrexone?
Im told by people who use Ozempic find it works for them that way. I don’t know how it works inside the body though.
As your stomach fills and stretches it sends a chemical “I’m full” message (GLP1) to the brain. When this signal is low you are hungary, medium you are full, and high you get nauseous.
Ozempic causes that message to be produced at low constant levels in addition to what is produced by the stomach.
So you don’t feel as hungry, you hit satiety faster, and if you continue to eat you get nauseous. This results in behaviors that reduce calorie consumption.
It also delays gastric emptying which also keeps you feeling full longer.