What Is Ozempic or Zepbound, Really?

Zepbound – one of the latest GLP-1 meds

You’ve probably heard about Ozempic or Zepbound. Maybe from a friend, a celebrity, or a TikTok ad. These are powerful medicines used to help people lose weight and manage diabetes. But what do they actually do?

Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist—a type of drug that helps control hunger, improve blood sugar, and lower the risk of heart disease.

But here’s the big surprise: the real power of these drugs isn’t in your stomach—it’s in your brain.

How It Works in the Brain

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic work in two big ways:

1. They help you feel full.
   They slow down how fast your stomach empties, so you stay full longer.

2. They quiet the “food noise” in your brain.
   That’s the big one. These medicines reach areas in the brain like the hypothalamus and mesolimbic system (that includes parts like the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area). These areas are responsible for cravings, rewards, and motivation to eat.

When GLP-1 hits these areas, it reduces dopamine, the chemical that makes you want things like cake or chips. It also increases serotonin, which helps with mood and feeling satisfied after eating.
This makes it easier to stop eating when you’re full and harder to overeat just because food tastes good.

Reference: Mechanisms of GLP-1 receptor agonist–induced weight loss. Am J Med. 2024.

What About “Natural GLP-1 Boosters”?

You might see ads for supplements or foods that say they boost your “natural GLP-1.” Some are even called “natural Ozempic.”

Here’s the truth:

• Your body makes GLP-1 naturally.

• Yes, fiber-rich foods help make more of it.

• But no, it does not stay in your system very long—only a few minutes.

That means your natural GLP-1 never reaches your brain like Ozempic does.

Synthetic GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic) are made to last for days. They stick around long enough to enter your brain and turn down cravings.

So no—berberine, vinegar, or sea moss are not the same thing.

Reference: GLP-1 in brain health and food reward. Front Neurosci. 2022.

Common Myths You Should Ignore

Let’s talk about a few common myths—and what science says instead:

• “It’s a cheat code.”
  It’s not cheating. It helps your brain stop screaming for food all the time.

• “You’ll lose all your muscle.”
  Not if you eat enough protein and move your body.

• “You’ll gain it all back.”
  Only if you stop all your healthy habits. GLP-1s are tools, not magic.

• “It’s just for weight loss.”
  These drugs also lower your risk of heart attacks, stroke, and even possibly dementia.

Reference: Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes. NEJM. 2023.

Want to Supercharge Your Results? Go Mediterranean.

People on GLP-1s who follow a Mediterranean-style diet lose more weight than those who don’t.

Here’s why:

• Supports your gut health.

• Boosts your own natural GLP-1.

• Helps the medication work better.

What’s in the Mediterranean diet?

• Vegetables, beans, nuts, and whole grains

• Olive oil instead of butter

• Fish and lean proteins

• Some fruit and red wine (in moderation)

And yes—less fast food and fewer ultra-processed snacks.

Reference: Combining GLP-1s with dietary strategies. Nutrients. 2023.

One Final Thing: Obesity Is a Disease

Some people still think obesity is about willpower. It’s not.

In 2013, the American Medical Association said obesity is a disease.
It’s caused by a mix of genetics, hormones, environment, and brain chemistry.
Telling someone to “just eat less” is like telling someone with asthma to “just breathe better.”

Reference: Obesity as a chronic disease. Endocr Rev. 2021.

In Summary

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic are powerful tools—but they work best with the right support:

Use them with a healthy Mediterranean-style diet
Talk to your doctor and registered dietitian
Don’t fall for “natural GLP-1” scams
Understand: This is real medicine—not a trend

About the Author

This article was written by Dr. Terry Simpson, a board-certified physician, surgeon, and food science expert.