Ozempic and similar drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro, were originally designed for Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
However, they’ve since become synonymous with weight loss, as stars such as Oprah Winfrey, Rebel Wilson, and others have credited their slimmer frame as being done to taking the drug.
Ozempic, Wegovy, and other weight loss drugs help eradicate food noise (the feeling of being hungry) – by reducing cravings and slowing down digestion. Research has also revealed that the curiosity around the drug and its relation to weight management has surged, with an astonishing 3,881% increase in searches, jumping from 11,000 in January 2024 to 438,000 in January 2025.
Across the pond, it’s a similar story as a survey revealed that 24% of Brits would use weight-loss jabs if provided for free by the NHS, with a further 7% saying they would buy them privately at a cost of around £180 to £200 per month.
The interest in using these drugs to control and maintain weight has been credited to the popularity of it by celebrities.
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In 2023, Oprah revealed she shed nearly 50 pounds by taking the drug, and in the latest episode of her podcast, Winfrey, she discussed the help of the drug again.
Speaking to Dr. Ania Jastreboff the talk show host said for many years she thought that thin people had more willpower, yet she realized that what she previously perceived as “willpower” was actually thoughts of being hungry removed.
Winfrey said: “One of the things that I realized the very first time I took a GLP-1 was that all these years I thought that thin people had more willpower. They ate better foods. They were able to stick to it longer. They never had a potato chip. And then I realized the very first time I took the GLP-1 that, they’re not even thinking about it. They’re eating when they’re hungry and they’re stopping when they’re full.”
Winfrey, who has now reached her goal weight of 160 pounds, said taking the drugs hit home to her that “obesity is a disease” and that is about “the brain” and not “willpower.”
Crystal Wyllie, a doctor at ZAVA, commented on the findings: “The surge in interest in weight loss injections marks a positive step in approaching obesity and weight management. Treatments like Mounjaro are helping more people recognise that weight loss is a complex challenge, and medical solutions can play a valuable role in improving health outcomes.
“Social media platforms, especially TikTok, have amplified this shift, with thousands sharing their experiences and normalising medical treatments. While these stories are encouraging, it’s important to remember that these medications work best when combined with healthy habits like regular exercise, balanced nutrition and mental well-being.”
They added: “Under proper medical supervision, weight loss injections can be a safe and effective tool for achieving lasting results. This growing awareness is an encouraging step toward reducing stigma and empowering more people to seek the right support for their health.”
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