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If GLP-1 Drugs Are Good For Everything, Should We All Be on Them?

derekthompson.org · 3,418 words · saved by 1 readers

Several years ago, scientists took a close look at GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, and learned that they were good at helping people lose weight. Then they took an even closer look and learned the drugs are also good at just about everything else. GLP-1s—technically known as glucagon like peptide 1 receptor agonists—seem to curb alcohol, cocaine, and tobacco use among addicts. They prevent strokes, heart attacks, chronic kidney disease, sleep apnea, and Parkinson's disease. They’re associated with a lower risk of several cancers, including pancreatic cancer and multiple myeloma. Arthritic patients on the drugs experienced relief from knee pain that was “on par with opioid drugs.” A small study found that they reduce migraine headaches by 50 percent. And emerging research suggests they might even slow the rate of memory loss among people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. I k

If GLP-1 Drugs Are Good For Everything, Should We All Be on Them? Studies show that the obesity and diabetes medication also reduces heart attacks, cancer risk, migraines, and memory loss. How is that even possible? And at what point should we all be on it? Derek Thompson Jul 23, 2025 644 163 97 Share Photo by Landon Arnold on Unsplash Several years ago, scientists took a close look at GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, and learned that they were good at helping people lose weight. Then they took an even closer look and learned the drugs are also good at just about everything else. GLP-1s—technical

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