Dr.RheumBOS said:

Food noise is the best term this community has produced and it describes something the trials did not measure well: the constant background…

"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 sweets — 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.

A narrower follow-up, since the general answer is now clear:

Did your prescriber agree with that reading, and if not what was their objection?

Dr.GutHealth said:

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

Central vs peripheral GLP-1R signaling in food noise: elegant studies using brain-penetrant vs peripherally-restricted GLP-1 agonists show that ~80% of the weight loss effect is centrally mediated[1].

The key brain regions: arcuate nucleus (appetite), area postrema (nausea), NTS (satiety), VTA/NAc (reward). Peripheral effects (gastric emptying, insulin secretion) contribute but are secondary for weight loss.

This has implications for next-gen drugs: optimizing brain penetration and CNS receptor occupancy may be more important than systemic exposure.

Dr.GutHealth said:

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

Dr.GutHealth 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.

pete_nash said:

Central vs peripheral GLP-1R signaling in food noise: elegant studies using brain-penetrant vs peripherally-restricted GLP-1 agonists show that ~80%…

Alcohol relationship change with food noise: I used to drink 2 glasses of wine most nights. Since starting GLP-1 therapy, I have zero interest in alcohol. Haven't had a drink in 6 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 $200/month on alcohol. Triple win.