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45
“Extremely Toxic”: Stories Of What It’s Really Like Being Around People Who Are Taking Ozempic
Weight loss is a common yet sensitive topic for many people. According to the World Health Organization, about 43% of adults around the world are overweight. So it’s no secret that many of us would benefit from losing a few pounds. But it’s not always as simple as cutting out dessert and hitting the gym a couple of times a week. Some of us need a little extra help, and that’s why Ozempic has exploded in popularity in recent years.
But we often only hear about how the medication has transformed people’s lives for the better. So today, we’re focusing on some of the downsides of taking Ozempic, particularly how it can impact a person’s relationships with friends and family. Individuals who have seen Ozempic use up close have been opening up on Reddit about how they’ve been affected, so you’ll find some of their brutally honest accounts down below.
RELATED:
Ozempic usage has grown exponentially in recent years
Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)
But many people are now opening up about the darker sides of watching loved ones take the medication
Image credits: giggly_otter
Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits: grinninwheel
Ozempic has only been approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes
Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)
Ozempic has made many headlines in recent years because of its prevalence in Hollywood, but it’s important to note that plenty of regular people are using the medication too. In fact, it’s really only intended to be prescribed to adults with type 2 diabetes, according to the US FDA.
UC Davis Health explains that Ozempic works by “mimicking a naturally occurring hormone” that essentially tells a person’s brain that they’re full. At the same time, the medication slows down a person’s digestion, similar to how bariatric surgery would. It’s often used to treat diabetes, improve blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and improve blood pressure.
But people quickly realized that a common side effect of taking the medication is weight loss, which certainly helped its popularity. After all, a whopping 55% of Americans want to lose weight, a 2024 survey from Gallup found.
But many face barriers in doing so, such as health and mobility issues, limited guidance from health professionals, financial limitations, lack of will power and less concern about their weight than when they were younger. So if a medication comes along that can make shedding weight much simpler and easier than making drastic lifestyle changes, it’s understandable for people to get on board.
However, it’s important to understand that, just like any other medication, Ozempic can come with side effects. Within warns that patients who don’t actually need this medication may experience adverse health effects, such as electrolyte disturbances, reduced muscle functioning, chronic gastrointestinal issues, colon malfunctioning, increased risk of infection and depression and anxiety.
Unfortunately, some people also misuse Ozempic to fuel their own disordered eating patterns, which can exacerbate mental health issues and be dangerous for their health. At the same time, the normalization of weight loss dr*gs can contribute to anti-fatness and body weight biases, which are already extremely prevalent in our culture and media.
The popularity and accessibility of this medication has contributed to a cultural fixation with thinness
Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)
As we’ve seen from the stories shared in this article, the effects that Ozempic can have on mental health can reach far beyond those who are actually taking the medication. Eating disorders are “contagious” in a way, as openly having an unhealthy relationship with food can start to impact the way others around you view their own plates and bodies.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with taking Ozempic, especially for patients who actually have type 2 diabetes. But by constantly talking about the desire to lose weight, become skinny and/or eat less, patients can quickly impact their loved ones’ relationships with food.
Ozempic has been glamorized in the media as a miracle medication, but many experts worry that this is causing a cultural shift towards an obsession with being skinny, with little concern about how that may impact a person’s health.
“Discussions surrounding weight loss medicaction contribute to disordered eating by encouraging weight loss at all costs,” Ashley Moser, LMFT, CEDS, told Healthline. “It reinforces the message that all people should strive for thinness and be willing to do so with whatever means are available, even if there is a cost to their physical or mental health. Those in eating disorder recovery are especially vulnerable to these messages as they can normalize disordered behaviors in the pursuit of a smaller body.”
Considering the fact that at least 9% of the global population are struggling with an eating disorder, it would probably be wise to be more careful about how we address such a sensitive topic.
We would love to hear your thoughts on these stories in the comments below, pandas. Do you have any personal experience with using Ozempic? Feel free to weigh in, and then, you can find another Bored Panda article discussing similar issues right here.
Many readers shared similar stories of their own, warning about the negative impacts of Ozempic use
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What do you think ?
Christopher Creighton 5 months ago
It is very presumptuous of you to assume that all non-diabetic people who use ozembic or similar d***s to facilitate weight loss “don’t really need it” as an obese person who exercises regularly, eats right, and tries to lose weight so I can fit in an airline seat and not have a heart attack, to no avail, you reveal your ignorance. Sometimes we need help. Obesity is not a weakness or character flaw.
Anyone-for-tea? 5 months ago
I have an illness that has made me too tired to do any exercise, even if I tell myself just do a couple of squats, I feel knackered. I have been on Mounjaro for a couple of months now, as I’m three stone overweight, and the difference it has made in food noise is tremendous, it’s been amazing. I am only on 2.5mg still and had virtually no side effects. The hardest thing is having the energy to prepare small, nutritious meals, as I had hoped giving my digestive system a bit of a rest would give me some more energy, but not yet.
Load More Replies...
Islandchild 5 months ago
The misinformation about Ozempic is insane. Yes, for some people it is a quick loss, but not for most. It’s just who you hear most about. The rest of us, slow and steady which gives you time to work on your unhealthy relationship with food, because you absolutely have to or you’re going to bounce right back when you lower your dose for maintenance. I’ve come to believe that it’s being prescribed too widely for weight loss, that it should only be used where your weight is impacting your health, not for vanity weight loss. Maybe that makes me an a*s, if so, so be it.
Mel in Georgia 5 months ago
My millennial son and daughter in law have been taking these d***s even though they weren't morbidly obese or diabetic. Both have lost weight and my son has been able to get off of blood pressure medicine. I hope they're learning how portion control/food choices make a difference and can maintain a healthy weight on their own, but it's none of my business and everyone has to deal with their weight issues on their own. Sorry the OP finds this so triggering, but that's her issue and not her roommate's or family's. They should be more sensitive about talking about it, though.
Crystal M 5 months ago
I've taken Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for over three years now for weight loss. It is a miracle. I'm not stealing from diabetics because I get it as a compounded GIP/GLP1. I have lost 80 pounds and maintained it, have been able to come of off high blood pressure and high cholesterol medications, I work out five days a week, I have gained muscle, I now eat very healthy, my skin and hair look great, I finally sleep well and have energy (even in perimenopause). I have zero complaints and am quite tired of GLP1 users being made to feel ashamed for their choices. Let it go.
Earonn - 5 months ago
"They just have d**g supplementing self control". Gosh, yeah, because all overweight people are just lazy, hoggish slobs with no self control. Even if they have been on diets for years, no, there must be something wrong with them, they must be bad people. Someone take these stupid antiepileptics from me - occasionally I can suppress a seizure, so this d**g only supplements my self control, right? These guys just sound so jealous, while simultaneously not even knowing how Ozempic works.
Kristiina Männiste 5 months ago
Im type 2 diabetic and I do not mind people using Ozempic for weight loss- I know obesity sucks and if that helps them, its all good. Im a bit leery of fit, normal weight people using Ozempic, but its their body they mess with. Luckily I am not affected by the shortages because Metformin and lifestyle changes worked for me, but I yes diabetics who absolutely NEED Ozempic ( as not all diabetics do) should get priority in case of shortages.
Bookworm 5 months ago
Way to feed into the hype. If you don't make lifestyle changes the weight loss stops. You can even gain weight on ozempic. There can be a lot of weight loss at the beginning (often water weight) but it doesn't continue indefinitely. You have to eat healthy, exercise, have enough water/protein/fiber or not only will you not lose weight but you will also have unpleasant side effects. And if you stop taking ozempic you'll most likely regain the weight. I'm just waiting for the focus to change to something like wegovy, which is a similar medication that is for weight loss. People really need to educate themselves.
Anony Mouse 5 months ago
After I hit the Change of Life (assuming BP will censor the M word), I began to put on weight. So I started eating less and exercising more. I put on more weight. I started counting calories to stay at a deficit. More weight. I took meds for six months (not the big O or any other injectable, just pills). I also ate less, counted calories, and exercised more - only then did 35 pounds disappear. I wasn’t lazy, cheating, or stuffing myself with garbage. My body needed help. So much judgment here.
Christopher Creighton 5 months ago
It is very presumptuous of you to assume that all non-diabetic people who use ozembic or similar d***s to facilitate weight loss “don’t really need it” as an obese person who exercises regularly, eats right, and tries to lose weight so I can fit in an airline seat and not have a heart attack, to no avail, you reveal your ignorance. Sometimes we need help. Obesity is not a weakness or character flaw.
Anyone-for-tea? 5 months ago
I have an illness that has made me too tired to do any exercise, even if I tell myself just do a couple of squats, I feel knackered. I have been on Mounjaro for a couple of months now, as I’m three stone overweight, and the difference it has made in food noise is tremendous, it’s been amazing. I am only on 2.5mg still and had virtually no side effects. The hardest thing is having the energy to prepare small, nutritious meals, as I had hoped giving my digestive system a bit of a rest would give me some more energy, but not yet.
Load More Replies... Islandchild 5 months ago
The misinformation about Ozempic is insane. Yes, for some people it is a quick loss, but not for most. It’s just who you hear most about. The rest of us, slow and steady which gives you time to work on your unhealthy relationship with food, because you absolutely have to or you’re going to bounce right back when you lower your dose for maintenance. I’ve come to believe that it’s being prescribed too widely for weight loss, that it should only be used where your weight is impacting your health, not for vanity weight loss. Maybe that makes me an a*s, if so, so be it.
Mel in Georgia 5 months ago
My millennial son and daughter in law have been taking these d***s even though they weren't morbidly obese or diabetic. Both have lost weight and my son has been able to get off of blood pressure medicine. I hope they're learning how portion control/food choices make a difference and can maintain a healthy weight on their own, but it's none of my business and everyone has to deal with their weight issues on their own. Sorry the OP finds this so triggering, but that's her issue and not her roommate's or family's. They should be more sensitive about talking about it, though.
Crystal M 5 months ago
I've taken Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for over three years now for weight loss. It is a miracle. I'm not stealing from diabetics because I get it as a compounded GIP/GLP1. I have lost 80 pounds and maintained it, have been able to come of off high blood pressure and high cholesterol medications, I work out five days a week, I have gained muscle, I now eat very healthy, my skin and hair look great, I finally sleep well and have energy (even in perimenopause). I have zero complaints and am quite tired of GLP1 users being made to feel ashamed for their choices. Let it go.
Earonn - 5 months ago
"They just have d**g supplementing self control". Gosh, yeah, because all overweight people are just lazy, hoggish slobs with no self control. Even if they have been on diets for years, no, there must be something wrong with them, they must be bad people. Someone take these stupid antiepileptics from me - occasionally I can suppress a seizure, so this d**g only supplements my self control, right? These guys just sound so jealous, while simultaneously not even knowing how Ozempic works.
Kristiina Männiste 5 months ago
Im type 2 diabetic and I do not mind people using Ozempic for weight loss- I know obesity sucks and if that helps them, its all good. Im a bit leery of fit, normal weight people using Ozempic, but its their body they mess with. Luckily I am not affected by the shortages because Metformin and lifestyle changes worked for me, but I yes diabetics who absolutely NEED Ozempic ( as not all diabetics do) should get priority in case of shortages.
Bookworm 5 months ago
Way to feed into the hype. If you don't make lifestyle changes the weight loss stops. You can even gain weight on ozempic. There can be a lot of weight loss at the beginning (often water weight) but it doesn't continue indefinitely. You have to eat healthy, exercise, have enough water/protein/fiber or not only will you not lose weight but you will also have unpleasant side effects. And if you stop taking ozempic you'll most likely regain the weight. I'm just waiting for the focus to change to something like wegovy, which is a similar medication that is for weight loss. People really need to educate themselves.
Anony Mouse 5 months ago
After I hit the Change of Life (assuming BP will censor the M word), I began to put on weight. So I started eating less and exercising more. I put on more weight. I started counting calories to stay at a deficit. More weight. I took meds for six months (not the big O or any other injectable, just pills). I also ate less, counted calories, and exercised more - only then did 35 pounds disappear. I wasn’t lazy, cheating, or stuffing myself with garbage. My body needed help. So much judgment here.
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