Theme park season — looking for input

LondonLisa said:

The food noise came back three weeks after I reduced my dose, well before the weight moved, which tells me something about which effect tracks what.

Phantom hunger vs real hunger on food noise: learning to distinguish between the two has been a revelation. Real hunger: gradual onset, physical stomach sensation, any food sounds good. Phantom hunger: sudden, emotionally triggered, specific food cravings, occurs right after eating.

The GLP-1 agonist suppresses real hunger beautifully. Phantom hunger still pops up but I can now recognize it for what it is — an emotional signal, not a physical need. Mindfulness training helped enormously with this distinction.

KevinCompounds said:

Phantom hunger vs real hunger on food noise: learning to distinguish between the two has been a revelation.

"Food aversion" side effect of food noise that I wasn't prepared for: I used to LOVE cooking and trying new restaurants. Now certain foods — especially fried foods — literally repulse me.

It's not just reduced appetite; it's an active disgust response. My therapist says this is common and likely related to the reward pathway modulation. It's mostly a positive change, but I do miss enjoying food the way I used to.

LondonLisa said:

The food noise came back three weeks after I reduced my dose, well before the weight moved, which tells me something about which effect tracks what.

Second this. The detail I would add is minor and it is already implied above.

Adding the clinical framing, because it changes how the question reads.

Rebound hunger after missed dose of food noise: I missed my injection by 3 days due to a shipping delay and the hunger came ROARING back. Like a switch flipped. It was eye-opening to feel the difference.

This experience actually reinforced my understanding of what the medication does — it's not just "suppressing appetite," it's normalizing dysregulated hunger signaling. When the drug wears off, you feel the full force of what it was managing.