Users of the weight loss drug Wegovy, which contains the same compound as Ozempic, are reporting an unexpected side effect: the disappearance of their constant preoccupation with food, or “food noise,” The New York Times reports.
A Surprising Side Effect
Patients taking Wegovy have reported a significant reduction in their constant thoughts about food, a phenomenon they refer to as “food noise.”
This term has gained traction on social media platforms like TikTok, where videos related to “food noise explained” have been viewed 1.8 billion times.
Understanding Food Noise
While there is no clinical definition for food noise, it is generally understood as a constant rumination about food.
Some researchers associate it with “hedonic hunger,” an intense preoccupation with eating food for pleasure. It could also be a component of binge eating disorder, which is common but often misunderstood.
How Medication Suppresses Food Noise
The active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, semaglutide, affects the areas in the brain that regulate appetite and prompts the stomach to empty more slowly, making people feel fuller faster and for longer.
This satiation could blunt food noise. Semaglutide activates receptors for a hormone called GLP-1, which are found in brain regions important for motivation and reward, potentially influencing cravings and desires.
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