LondonLisa said:

The food noise came back three weeks after I reduced my dose, well before the weight moved, which tells me something about which effect tracks what.

"Food aversion" side effect of food noise that I wasn't prepared for: I used to LOVE cooking and trying new restaurants. Now certain foods — especially heavy cream sauces — literally repulse me.

It's not just reduced appetite; it's an active disgust response. My therapist says this is common and likely related to the reward pathway modulation. It's mostly a positive change, but I do miss enjoying food the way I used to.

PharmacoVig_BOS said:

"Food aversion" side effect of food noise that I wasn't prepared for: I used to LOVE cooking and trying new restaurants.

PharmacoVig_BOS said:

...regarding food noise mechanism of action...

To build on this — the mechanism is more complex than "it makes you less hungry." GLP-1 agonists:

1. Activate hypothalamic satiety centers (appetite reduction)
2. Delay gastric emptying (prolonged fullness)
3. Potentiate glucose-dependent insulin secretion
4. Suppress glucagon secretion
5. Modulate reward pathway dopaminergic signaling
6. Reduce hepatic lipogenesis
7. Have direct cardiovascular protective effects

It's a multi-target drug with systemic metabolic effects. Understanding the mechanism helps us predict and manage side effects.

LondonLisa said:

The food noise came back three weeks after I reduced my dose, well before the weight moved, which tells me something about which effect tracks what.

This matches mine closely enough to be worth saying so out loud.

Adding the clinical framing, because it changes how the question reads.

Alcohol relationship change with food noise: I used to drink cocktails most nights. Since starting GLP-1 therapy, I have zero interest in alcohol. Haven't had a drink in 9 months.

The "food noise" reduction seems to extend to other reward-seeking behaviors, including alcohol. My liver enzymes have improved, my sleep is better, and I've saved roughly $187/month on alcohol. Triple win.