How GLP1 drugs work on body and brain against obesity

It's the battle against obesity. We all think about food at times, but when the thoughts don't stop, it can be "food noise," and a barrier to weight loss.

It's a buzz word among medical professionals and patients alike.

But what is "food noise?"

Dr. Samantha Flanagan, an obesity medicine specialist at Temple Health, says it's beyond thinking of what to eat when we get hungry.

It's a constant pre-occupation with food.

"This internal chatter in our minds about food, including what to eat and when to eat it, that almost runs as, like a background track, but the volume gets turned up too high," Dr. Flanagan says.

She says that what triggers food noise in the brain isn't known, but obese people can't turn it off, or turn it down.

"It's not a matter of willpower. We could have all the willpower in the world and still not be able to ignore these hunger cues and food noise," she says. "It can make it even harder to try and stick to healthy eating and avoiding those foods that we know aren't good for us."

But the new GLP-1 injectable drugs can turn down the volume, allowing those battling obesity to change their relationship with food.

"Not only do they decrease our appetite, but they also give us this signal to turn down that volume on food noise," she says.

When we give these as injectables, they last for a week at a time.

Quieting the brain chatter, decreasing the appetite and stabilizing blood sugar allows for a positive domino effect, toward healthier habits - like exercise and better food choices.

"Protein helps us to feel fuller longer," she says. "Fiber helps to slow down digestion, which also allows us to feel full for longer."

Dr Flanagan says for people with a very high body mass index, bariatric surgery may also be used along with the GLP1 drugs for the best result.