How we cracked the code for hunger

A world where hunger can be dialled down, with medications that alter the desire for food, sounds like something from a science fiction novel. However, GLP-1 therapies, which mimic or enhance the action of the hormone GLP-1, are very much real, and their prominence and effectiveness raises significant questions for society. Is this a medical marvel, a social experiment, or an evolutionary step forward?

What are GLP-1 therapies?

GLP-1 therapies tap into the body’s own biology to regulate hunger, blood sugar, and energy use. The GLP-1 hormone coordinates how the brain, pancreas, stomach, and broader metabolism respond to food – it is one of the signals that makes you feel that you have had enough to eat. These therapies reduce appetite and cravings by acting on the brain, make the stomach empty food more slowly, and improve glucose regulation by stimulating insulin release and suppressing glucagon.

Earlier weight-loss drugs worked by increasing metabolism, suppressing appetite crudely, or affecting mood and alertness. Many came with serious side effects. The physiology of GLP-1 therapies is well understood, and have enabled consistent, sustained weight loss in clinical trials. These results, as well as celebrity use and popular trends, have brought these therapies into the forefront of public consciousness.

Rewiring appetite, behaviour, and identity

These isn’t just about obesity. These drugs alter appetite, impulses, and our relationships with food. They challenge how we think about motivation, and responsibility.

Furthermore, there are broader social and ethical questions. Who stands to benefit from these therapies? What does this mean for children, adolescents, or older adults? What is the role of social media networks in influencing the up-take of these therapies?

Learn more

Accomplished endocrinologist Dr Emran Ghaffar Khan will explore this intriguing topic in his upcoming SCI talk, “Hacking the brain’s hunger code: Miracle, menace, or the next stage of human evolution?”. You can join the conversation and sign up for the talk here: Hacking the brain’s hunger code: Miracle, menace, or the next stage of human evolution?