Weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have emerged as a powerful tool to treat obesity, even if current rollout timelines – estimated at 12 years in England – fall far short of meeting population needs. Any credible strategy for halving obesity requires weight loss treatment for those who need it most, and these drugs represent an exciting new treatment route. 

Our previous thought piece on weight loss drugs showed that, at current prices, they are not a credible solution to obesity across the UK population. Whilst they are cost-effective in the long run, due to the reduction in NHS spending on obesity-related illness, the upfront delivery costs at scale are simply too high for our stretched healthcare system to manage, and sustained use would be required. Nesta has published more detailed modelling work on this in our blueprint for halving obesity. The drugs will only get more effective and cheaper in the future, which is a cause for optimism. 

Due to the need to use these drugs long-term to keep weight off, people’s personal experience of using them – beyond clinical outcomes – really matters. That’s why we wanted to understand the lived experiences of people taking these medications, to look for some early signals of how their more widespread use might play out. We wanted a snapshot of the possible impacts of a world in which many more people are taking these drugs.

Building on the extensive research documenting weight loss medications' effectiveness for weight loss, we wanted to explore how these drugs affect people's relationship with food, including as part of their social interactions. As an experiment in innovative methods, we used FocalData's AI-powered chatbot interview platform to gather insights across a range of people in more depth than standard open-text survey answers, and more quickly than using conventional interviews. 

For this project a total of 74 people shared their experiences of taking weight loss drugs with the chatbot. What emerged from these discussions was a nuanced picture of how these drugs are reshaping people’s social lives and sense of well-being, as well as the extent to which they influence food choices and habits (as distinct from portion sizes). 

"I would use food emotionally all the time. I would celebrate with food, I would commiserate with food." This sentiment, expressed by one person, was echoed by many others who told us about their struggle with their weight. Before starting the weight loss medications, many of the people who shared their experiences with the chatbot described lives dominated by thoughts of food. One person said they would "obsess over food. I will go to bed thinking about tomorrow's breakfast."  For many, this preoccupation with food – what is now commonly referred to as ‘food noise’ – extended beyond mere hunger: a theme across the discussions in our project was people describing a complex web of emotional dependencies, social challenges, and deeply ingrained behavioural patterns. 

The impact of weight loss drugs on peoples’ lives was often described as transformative – though not always in ways they expected. Some saw the changes as a relief. "I no longer felt like I was in a constant battle with food or that it controlled my emotions," said one person, explaining how. "I started to see food as fuel for my body, rather than a source of comfort or reward. I began to enjoy healthy foods and found pleasure in nourishing my body." Others explained how the medication helped suppress appetite and control cravings, giving them greater control over their diet. 

Some reported experiencing a newfound mental clarity, with one person stating that the drugs "stopped the 'food noise' completely. I started occupying myself in the evenings with other things instead of eating. I feel satisfied, and food thoughts don't dominate my life." This was a recurring theme where people described feeling more in control both in their eating habits and more generally, which meant they felt they could make healthier choices.

A key finding that emerged from our research, which seems less prevalent in the existing literature on these medications' appetite-suppressing effects, was participants' experience with the psychological aspects of eating. Some people reported that although the medications helped control their portions, they encountered ongoing challenges with the psychological aspects of their eating patterns. As one person explained, in their experience '...[the GLP1 drugs] don't address any underlying reasons for overeating such as the emotional side, like using food for comfort during stress or as a coping mechanism for anxiety.' Another noted that the drugs, 'helps with eating fewer meals but doesn't necessarily prevent eating unhealthy,' emphasising that while portion control improved, the medications didn't support the development of a healthier relationship with food choices or address ingrained habits like mindless snacking, stress eating, or using food as a reward.

The same medication that helped some people gain relief from obsessive thoughts reduced others' pleasure in eating. One person explained how the medication has made them uninterested in food, and that "sometimes I feel sad that this is even worth it. It has taken the flavour out of things for me." This sentiment resonated with those who shared their experiences, with some expressing a bittersweet relationship with their diminished interest in food. One person said side effects from the medication made eating feel "like a chore". 

The way many people described their experience on the weight loss medications, a common theme emerged: before medication, they could enjoy the foods they loved but struggled with weight; with the medication, they felt that they could maintain a healthier diet but often at the cost of the joy they previously felt about food. One person shared that they felt "ambivalent to food" on the medication, noting, "Yes, I wasn't experiencing the same joy from food, but I think that's how it should be."

We believe this raises complex questions about the trade-offs involved in medication-assisted weight loss and how these various changes might impact the quality of someone's life, particularly if these drugs are to become widely available long-term weight management tools. More research will be needed to understand their impact on people's lives and to ensure they can work for people over the long term, ideally without diminishing the pleasure and social aspects of eating. A recently announced long-term study will contribute to a greater understanding of people’s experiences using weight loss drugs.

From our comprehensive review of policies to tackle obesity, we know there are effective, well-evidenced ways to reduce obesity across the population, including by preventing it in the first place by improving the food we consume. While drugs are an effective solution for some people, a focus on preventing obesity remains critical to improving the health of the population and reducing the burden of obesity on individuals and on our health system.

We would welcome input from those interested in collaborating with us on how to maximise the potential of weight loss drugs. Please contact [email protected]. 

Note: This blog is based on exploratory research and individual experiences. Please consult healthcare providers for medical advice about weight loss medications.