Ozempic Epidemic

The Rise of Ozempic

Photo by Chemist4U / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Cropped from original

Ozempic is a prescription drug that was originally released in 2017, with clinical trials beginning in 2015, to treat type 2 diabetes. Recently, the drug has gained popularity due to its effectiveness in weight loss. Many individuals struggling with obesity turn to Ozempic to help this issue. The drug works for weight loss because it attempts to mimic the hormone GLP-1 that is released after eating, which helps you feel full. Essentially, Ozempic signals the brain that you are full, and that way, you eat less. Its recent popularity has drawn in many individuals looking to lose weight, and there is a new debate about whether Ozempic should be used for weight management.

For diabetics and people who are obese, Ozempic can prove to be beneficial. The drug helps cure obesity and can be used for people who have struggled to lose weight with exercise and dieting. Its intended purpose is to lower blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes. Its effectiveness allows diabetics to reduce their risk of cardiovascular issues and control their condition.

Despite Ozempic’s intended use, resolving diabetes, the drug also unintentionally leads to weight loss. Tons of people have begun running to Ozempic to take advantage of this side effect. People have begun turning to Ozempic for weight loss, leading to its rapid popularity. Ozempic is not meant to be used as a weight loss agent; however, because of its availability, people have made it a trend to “get on Ozempic.” Using Ozempic as a weight loss agent not only takes the attention off those who truly need the drug, but also adds to a greater societal issue.

The use of Ozempic as a weight loss aid reflects a larger societal issue: the obsession with appearance. The Ozempic “trend” only leads people down the rabbit hole of bad body image and unrealistic beauty standards. Ozempic has become popular because people feel like they must lose weight, even if they are still healthy without the weight loss. Ozempic helps people look a certain way, but it is not a sustainable method to lose weight and it doesn’t necessarily mean you will be healthier. Although some people may be prescribed Ozempic to help their health, many healthy people are relying on Ozempic for aesthetics, which can be harmful.

Additionally, the Ozempic trend has led other brands to generate similar products that are even more accessible. For example, Kourtney Kardashian’s brand Lemme has created a new product called “Lemme GLP-1 Daily Capsules.” These daily pills are essentially the same thing as Ozempic and are marketed as a more natural alternative. These capsules, while they claim to support health and weight management, seem to be contributing to the societal body image issue. Those who need Ozempic for health purposes will be provided it by their doctor. This new product provides “Ozempic” access to anyone who wants it, even those who may not need it.

Overall, Ozempic can be both good and bad. The drug is beneficial for those who need it, for controlling obesity and diabetes. However, many healthy people are gaining access to the drug, making it dangerous and adding to the societal obsession with unrealistic beauty. Ozempic highlights society’s pursuit of attractiveness and thinness even when it’s at the expense of health. As a society, we must leave Ozempic and other similar products to those who truly need them and focus on true health and wellness. This could potentially lead to the misuse of Ozempic and other harmful behaviors to achieve thinness. By remaining active and eating healthy foods, we can ensure that we remain healthy individuals, which is the most important thing.