Off the Scales by Aimee Donnellan review
A fascinating deep dive into the discovery, use and implications of a revolutionary new treatment
TL;DR
- Societal judgment of body size, especially for women, often equates excess weight with poor character.
- New weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro can be life-changing for those with diabetes or obesity.
- These drugs are also being used by non-obese individuals for cosmetic purposes, leading to comparisons with eating disorders.
- The development of these drugs involved scientific serendipity, rivalry, and dedication, with key figures like Svetlana Mojsov.
- Research on GLP-1 hormones led to the creation of semaglutide by Novo Nordisk, initially for diabetes, but its significant weight-loss side effect was a major discovery.
- Oprah Winfrey's public endorsement of the drug led to widespread clamoring for Ozempic.
- The drugs have side effects and their mechanism for treating obesity, beyond affecting brain receptors and cravings, is not fully understood.
- The potential for these drugs to treat addictions and their implications for free will are subjects of ongoing discussion.