Hormonal
GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) reduce body weight primarily by suppressing food intake through central nervous system mechanisms, including hypothalamic and hindbrain signaling and vagal afferent stimulation.
GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and liraglutide help you lose weight by signaling your brain to feel full and eat less, rather than by burning more calories. This effect is driven by the drug acting on satiety centers in the brain and vagus nerve. While side effects like nausea are common initially, they often subside over time. Consistent use is required to maintain weight loss, as stopping the medication typically leads to weight regain.
GLP-1RA-induced reduction in body weight is caused by the suppression of food intake. In preclinical studies, peripherally administrated GLP-1RA reaches and binds to GLP-1Rs in areas of the brain involved in the regulation of food intake in the hypothalamus and hindbrain. Peripherally administrated GLP-1RA may also indirectly act on the brain by binding to GLP-1Rs on vagal afferent parasympathetic nerve endings, thereby generating and transmitting satiety signals to the hypothalamus and hindbrain.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple head-to-head clinical trials, meta-analyses of CVOTs, and consistent preclinical data.
Source
How glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists work
Christine R. Andreasen et al. · Endocrine Connections · 2021
DOI 10.1530/ec-21-0130
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