GLP-1 and addiction pathways — dopaminergic modulation evidence

NeuroNate said:

The mental-health dimension is under-measured in the trial literature and the reports here are consistent enough to take seriously.

Recovering from an eating disorder and using mental health: this is a complex situation and I want to be transparent about it.

I have a history of binge eating disorder. My psychiatrist, therapist, and prescribing doctor all collaborate on my care. The GLP-1 agonist has actually been therapeutic — it removes the biological urgency of binge impulses without relying on restriction.

This is NOT appropriate for all ED patients. Anorexia, bulimia, and restrictive EDs require different approaches. But for BED specifically, the evidence and my personal experience are positive. Always involve your mental health team.

A narrower follow-up, since the general answer is now clear:

Was that from a primary source or from a summary of one?

SleepDoc_PDX said:

Recovering from an eating disorder and using mental health: this is a complex situation and I want to be transparent about it.

Body image adjustment with mental health: I've lost 70 lbs but when I look in the mirror, I still see my old self sometimes. "Phantom fat" is a real phenomenon.

My therapist specializes in body image issues with weight loss patients. She says it can take 12-18 months for your brain's body map to update. In the meantime: take progress photos (your eyes lie but cameras don't), try on old clothes, and be patient with yourself.

OP back with an update, since a thread like this is useless without one.

Follow-up — I put something in the gap where food used to be rather than waiting for the gap to close on its own. That was the part nobody told me.

Dr.NutriCornell said:

Body image adjustment with mental health: I've lost 70 lbs but when I look in the mirror, I still see my old self sometimes.

Anxiety increase on mental health: counterintuitive, but losing weight rapidly triggered anxiety for me. Change — even positive change — is stressful. I was anxious about whether I deserved to feel good.

This is more common than people admit. A therapist who specializes in weight management has been invaluable. Don't neglect the mental health side of this journey.