Weighing The Extraordinary Benefits And Disturbing Risks Of The New Weight Loss Drugs | Johann Hari

Jun 12, 2024 1h 9m 12 insights

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- On this show, we talk a lot about ways to stop the interpersonal and intrapersonal violence of obsessing about thinness. Today's episode, though, is a bit of a departure… because this whole dynamic and debate has been deeply disrupted by the advent of Ozempic and other new weight loss drugs, which are technically called GLP1s. This is a controversial and touchy subject, to say the least. Journalist and best-selling author <a href="https://johannhari.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Johann Hari</a> discusses his latest book <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/743989/magic-pill-by-johann-hari/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs</a>. He believes drugs like Ozempic are the equivalent of the invention of the iPhone – and will impact all of our lives, whether we like it or not, and whether we take them or not. And in Magic Pill, Hari – who somewhat ambivalently takes Ozempic himself – marinates in the complexity of all of this. This is Hari's third time on the show. He has come on before to discuss his books on distraction and depression—entitled <a href="https://stolenfocusbook.com/buy-the-book/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stolen Focus</a> and <a href="https://thelostconnections.com/buy-the-book/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lost Connections</a>. This is the latest episode of our <a href="https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-playlists/get-fit-sanely" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get Fit Sanely</a> series. This is the third time we've done Get Fit Sanely, and in this go-round, we'll be covering longevity, exercise, and the Buddhist case for laziness. Related Episodes: <a href="https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-playlists/get-fit-sanely" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get Fit Sanely Playlist</a> <a href="https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/johann-hari-439" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Why You Can't Pay Attention - And How to Think About It | Johann Hari</a> <a href="https://art19.com/shows/ten-percent-happier/episodes/8ada06e0-3a54-4b71-93e3-9a30239a401a" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fighting Depression with Social Connection | Johann Hari</a> Sign up for Dan's weekly newsletter <a href="https://bit.ly/3QtGRqJ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> Follow Dan on social: <a href="https://bit.ly/3tGigG5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://bit.ly/3FOA84J" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a> Ten Percent Happier online <a href="https://bit.ly/46TZglY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bookstore</a> Subscribe to our <a href="https://bit.ly/3FybRzD" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a> Our favorite playlists on: <a href="https://spoti.fi/3Qa8kMT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Anxiety</a>, <a href="https://spoti.fi/3MjtMxF" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sleep</a>, <a href="https://spoti.fi/3QvyA5J" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Relationships</a>, <a href="https://spoti.fi/3QxZASc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Most Popular Episodes</a> Full Shownotes: <a href="https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/johann-hari-2024</a>

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Actionable Insights

1. Understand Dieting’s Biological Challenges

Recognize that traditional diets often fail for the majority because the brain actively fights weight loss by slowing metabolism, increasing cravings, and reducing energy, a biological response evolved to protect against famine. Relying solely on willpower is often insufficient against these powerful, ingrained mechanisms.

2. Evaluate GLP-1 Use by BMI

If your BMI is below 27, definitely avoid GLP-1 drugs as the risks outweigh the benefits; if your BMI is higher than 35, consider taking them due to the significant risks of obesity at that level, provided you don’t have thyroid cancer in your family, are not trying to get pregnant, and don’t have a history of eating disorders. For BMIs between 27 and 35, a thorough personal assessment of all risks and benefits, as detailed in the book, is necessary.

3. Separate Weight Stigma from Health

Distinguish between the horrific harm caused by societal stigma against overweight individuals and the separate physical health risks associated with obesity. Approach both issues with compassion and love, working to reduce both the stigma and the physical effects, while understanding that obesity is not a personal fault.

4. Recognize Obesity’s Systemic Roots

Understand that the modern obesity crisis is primarily driven by changes in the food supply system, specifically the proliferation of processed and ultra-processed foods that undermine natural satiety signals. This perspective shifts the understanding of obesity away from individual ‘greed’ or ’laziness’ towards environmental factors.

5. Balance Immediate & Systemic Solutions

When facing an immediate health crisis like obesity, address the problem with available solutions (such as GLP-1 drugs) to ’live to fight another day,’ even while simultaneously advocating for and working towards systemic changes (like reforming the food industry) to prevent future problems.

6. Personalize GLP-1 Risk Assessment

Make an individualized decision about GLP-1 use by carefully weighing your personal health risks (e.g., family history of heart disease) against the potential drug risks, ensuring you don’t fall into high-risk categories for side effects like thyroid cancer or eating disorders. This complex, difficult, and individualized question requires a thorough review of evidence.

7. Reframe ‘Cheating’ with GLP-1s

Dispel feelings of ‘cheating’ when using weight loss drugs by moving beyond the idea of gluttony as a sin and recognizing that the true contest is against the forces that caused the obesity crisis, such as the food industry. Foster compassion and understanding rather than shame and anger to navigate this emotional issue.

8. Advocate for GLP-1 Affordability

Support policies that regulate pharmaceutical companies to lower the price of GLP-1 drugs, ensuring they are accessible and affordable for everyone who needs them, rather than being restricted to a small number of rich people. This would address the current ‘scandalous’ situation of unequal access.

9. Strive for Societal Obesity Awakening

Work towards a future where GLP-1 drugs are widely available and effective, but also use this moment to spark a societal awakening to address the underlying structural problems that caused the obesity crisis. The goal is to ensure the next generation doesn’t have to face the ’lousy choice’ between obesity and risky drug options.

10. Practice Candor in Difficult Discussions

Approach controversial and emotionally charged topics with honesty and transparency, acknowledging complexity and relying on facts. This candor can be profoundly de-stigmatizing and lead to healthier physical and psychological outcomes, as ’the antidote to shame is candor’.

11. Utilize 10% Happier Meditation App

Download the new ‘10% with Dan Harris’ app to easily access a library of guided meditations to help with stress, anxiety, sleep, focus, and self-compassion. The app also offers weekly live Zoom community sessions for meditation and Q&A.

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