Jay Shetty & Johann Hari ON Ozempic - Miracle Drug or Health Hazard

In this On Purpose episode, Jay Shetty welcomes Johann Hari, an acclaimed writer and journalist known for his investigative work on addiction and depression.

Author of best-selling books Chasing the Scream and Lost Connections, Hari’s latest book, The Magic Pill, discusses weight loss drugs and their societal impact.

Hari recounts how he discovered these drugs at a Hollywood party, leading to a global investigation of their effects. He shares personal experiences with Ozempic and the emotional challenges it brought, societal implications, potential changes in body image attitudes, economic ramifications, and the future of public health related to obesity and weight loss drugs.

Ozempic – Miracle or Scam?

Johann Hari explained to Jay Shetty that Ozempic is neither entirely good nor entirely bad. He has conflicted feelings because of his personal experiences and extensive research, which revealed Ozempic's extraordinary benefits and, at the same time the significant risks associated with it. In his research, Hari traveled the world to speak with both proponents and critics of the drug, uncovering twelve concerning risks, which he detailed in his book Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs.‍

Hari compares Ozempic to magic: it is a miraculous solution to obesity, a deceptive magic trick with hidden dangers, and a phenomenon that might not fulfill its promises in expected ways, like in the story of Aladdin. However, he believes that this drug could be a game-changer like the invention of the smartphone was; it has the potential to affect more than simple weight loss.

Processed Foods Increase Obesity

Johan Hari explained to Jay Shetty the impact the food industry has on global obesity rates: collectively shifting from whole foods to processed and ultra-processed foods has altered human eating behaviors and overall health. In an experiment conducted by Paul M. Johnson and Paul J. Kenny1, the rats raised on their natural diet maintained healthy weights and stopped eating when they felt satiated. However, after introducing them to a typical American diet high in processed foods, the rats lost their ability to feel when the food was too much and quickly became obese.

The diet change altered the rats' weight, and changed their relationship with food - they started craving unhealthy, processed food and lost interest in their natural diet. This is a sign that processed foods alter brain chemistry. The conclusion is that modern diets undermine the natural feeling of satiety and lead to overeating, and, ultimately, to obesity. While Ozempic promises to undo these changes and restore a sense of fullness, it is not without major risks. Therefore, Hari emphasizes weighing well the pros and cons before deciding on the drug intake.

About Self-Control

Hari himself went from junk food addiction to eating less after taking Ozempic. He used to eat processed foods and has felt addicted since childhood. However, after taking the drug, he started to wake up in the morning not feeling hungry - he only ate a few bites. He felt full, something that had never happened to him before.

Hari explained to Jay Shetty that Ozempic mimics the hormone Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which signals satiety to the brain. This way, you'd feel full for longer. While the drug can make you eat less, it won't help if overeating has an emotional reason behind it. Therefore, Hari suggests addressing deeper emotional and psychological drivers of overeating, to fully heal any food addiction.

Drugs for Weight Loss

Obesity is often stigmatized as a lack of will. However, Hari draws attention to the natural brain responses that are interrupted by processed and ultra-processed foods interrupt. He explained to Jay Shetty that the effects Ozempic has on the body are comparable to a bariatric surgery - they both have significant health benefits but also potential drawbacks. One important risk is the increased suicide rate amongst those who undergo bariatric surgery, because overeating was their only coping mechanism and is now gone, leaving them exposed to the emotions they tried to bury with food.

For many years, Hari had an unhealthy relationship with food, and it dramatically changed after he started taking Ozempic. The drug suppressed his appetite to the point where he couldn't binge eat, even when emotionally triggered. Yet this behavioral change forced him to confront the emotional and psychological challenges previously masked by food consumption. He shared with Jay Shetty that food consumption in the modern world has many reasons, not simply the lack of willpower.

Stigma Around Obesity

Hari tells Jay Shetty that the way modern society is constructed and the abundance of processed and ultra-processed foods contributed significantly to the obesity rate increase in obesity rates. Yet people judge their overweight peers, accusing them of low self-discipline. Moreover, overeating became a coping mechanism, meant to bury unpleasant emotions - a sudden change in behavior due to drugs such as Ozmepic can have a dramatic psychological impact on the users.

Hari and Jay Shetty address the societal stigma around obesity—they believe it is essential to address the topic with empathy and understanding. Hari suggests considering the health improvements that come with effective weight management while considering the complex psychological impacts of dramatic lifestyle changes. Understand that "miracle" weight loss drugs can improve life quality by reversing obesity, but they also require complex emotional adjustments.

The Risks vs. Benefits of Weight Loss Pills

Johann Hari told Jay Shetty a personal story about his niece, who, despite being healthy, asked for Ozempic in an attempt to lose weight. He explained how societal expectations of our body image are so deeply engrained and how they affect people, especially women, daily. He emphasized the need to differentiate between overweight Ozempic users who are striving to lose weight and those who take it to become excessively thin. Hari added that the benefits this drug proposes are counterbalanced by potential side effects, such as muscle mass loss and conditions like sarcopenia.

Hari told Jay Shetty the story of Shelley Bovey, a pioneer in body positivity in Britain. Due to her weight, Bovey experienced relentless fat-shaming throughout her life. Later, she faced severe health issues due to obesity, which prompted her to lose weight through dieting. She then wrote multiple books aimed to fight the stigma.

The Economic Impact of Weight Loss

Hari discussed with Jay Shetty the potential financial and cultural impacts of weight loss drugs like Ozempic. Barclays Bank has advised investors to pull back from fast food and ice cream sectors, predicting significant market declines.

Hari explains to Jay Shetty that the market might be reacting to new health trends and that Ozempic may become more affordable after its patent expires - if it becomes widespread, this change could dramatically impact the industries associated with obesity. People like Jeff Parkes, who have experienced significant health improvements from these drugs, would become walking advertisements, potentially accelerating their adoption.

Fast food is deeply ingrained in the collective knowledge, to the point where more children in America recognize the McDonald's logo before recognizing their name³. Despite the growing popularity of organic and plant-based diets, fast food consumption continues to rise. However, it appears that the increasing use of weight-loss drugs may eventually counterbalance this trend. Financial markets are already anticipating changes such as reduced airline jet fuel costs due to lighter passengers and decreased demand for medical devices like knee and hip replacements. So, Hari shared with Jay Shetty his belief that these trends will significantly shape future market dynamics.

Ozempic Is a New Drug

While Ozempic came as a miracle drug on the market, it is still new, and its long-term effects are unknown. Johann Hari explained to Jay Shetty that common short-term side effects, such as nausea, are easily manageable, but long-term effects are still unknown. Therefore, he is concerned about its impact on people with eating disorders - it may exacerbate these conditions by reinforcing their tendency to starve themselves.

Additionally, he reiterated the idea that weight loss drugs only tackle the physical aspects, unveiling the underlying emotional drivers of overeating. If these aspects don't get addressed, there is a high chance of relapse after the user stops taking Ozempic. So, Hari told Jay Shetty about the need for more comprehensive research and careful consideration of both individual and societal impacts of this drug.

Long and Short-Term Risks of Ozempic

Johann Hari has extensively researched the pros and cons of taking Ozempic. The drug has been widely used in treating diabetes for nearly two decades - medium-term effects are clear by now, but its long-term impact is yet to be known due to the drug's young age. Hari told Jay Shetty that one potential risk is the increase in thyroid cancer. Nothing is yet sure, but unknown side-effects should be expected in the future.

Additionally, Hari discussed the misuse of Ozempic by people with eating disorders or women who may get pregnant, because the drug significantly reduces appetite. If you decide to take this drug, Hari highly advises you to do so under medical supervision and to bear in mind the potential long-term side effects.

Ozempic for Kids?

Jay Shetty wanted to know if Ozempic is an option for children battling obesity. Hari believes the crisis is largely fueled by the aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods by the fast food and processed food industries. Instead of giving the drug to children, he advocates for a societal change, meant to guide children towards healthier foods and lifestyles.

Johann Hari emphasized that children are not small adults, therefore they may experience different side effects. It is crucial to address the root environmental cause of childhood obesity rather than relying on a weight loss drug. At the moment, Novo Nordisk is doing a trial on children as young as six - this shows how serious the issue of childhood obesity has become in modern society.

Body Shaming

Oprah's Ozempic special shed light on the implications of weight-loss drugs on society. Hari admitted to Jay Shetty his admiration for Oprah and her influence on him. Despite the public success, she faced significant bullying and stigma regarding her weight, yet she was brave enough to address all these topics in her special.

When he first started taking Ozempic, Hari felt like he was cheating. He saw his eating habit as a sin, similar to Pope Gregory I's Seven Deadly Sins, one of which was gluttony (overeating). Even in today's world, weight loss is expected to happen by going through a period of suffering - the show The Biggest Loser is a perfect example of this concept.

Hari believes that Ozempic makes weight loss easy, an idea that challenges long-standing beliefs, and it can cause resentment among those who have worked hard to lose weight. However, society needs to move past the idea that obesity is a moral failure and understand the heavy impact of the environment on weight. Hari also told Jay Shetty that true change takes a collective effort to counter the impact of the processed food industry.

From a financial perspective, Hari predicts that the fast food industry might soon fund anti-Ozempic propaganda, similar to how the tobacco industry funded misinformation about smoking. There are high stakes involved, and a weight-loss drug could dramatically impact the profitability of fast food companies.

Japanese Way of Keeping Fit

Johann Hari shared with Jay Shetty his experience in Japan, where the obesity rate is very low, at 4%, despite being one of the world's wealthiest countries. There, the government has systems in place that promote healthy eating from a young age. In Japanese schools, children are served fresh, unprocessed meals daily and learn about nutrition through interactive methods.

Japan introduced the Metabo Law, meant to monitor people's waist sizes over time, in an attempt to maintain a healthy weight for its population. The law requires companies to monitor their employees' weight annually; if the weight levels rise, a fine will be applied. These measures proved to be effective, but they also increased the stigma around obesity.

Hari suggested that in the Western world, privacy concerns and individual freedom are more pronounced, and such measures may not be applicable. However, he believes that Japan offers valuable lessons in public health management, even if the same measures may not be well-received in other parts of the world.

Start With Small Steps

Hari shared with Jay Shetty his journey with Ozempic. He started reducing his portion sizes because he didn't feel as hungry as before. However, he didn't initially improve the nutritional quality of his meals. This was an important lesson: to not only eat less but also better.

After this realization, Hari decided to learn how to cook and make healthier food choices. He stressed that simply taking the drug is not enough; you need to approach this change in your life holistically. Sustainable change takes time and effort, but is attainable step by step.

More From Jay Shetty

Listen to the entire On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast episode on “Johann Hari ON Uncovering if Ozempic Is a Miracle Drug or Health Hazard & 3 Things They Do Not Want to Tell About Ozempic” now in the iTunes store or on Spotify. For more inspirational stories and messages like this, check out Jay’s website at jayshetty.me.

¹Johnson PM, Kenny PJ. Dopamine D2 receptors in addiction-like reward dysfunction and compulsive eating in obese rats. Nat Neurosci. 2010 May;13(5):635-41. doi: 10.1038/nn.2519. Epub 2010 Mar 28. Erratum in: Nat Neurosci. 2010 Aug;13(8):1033. PMID: 20348917; PMCID: PMC2947358. 

²Tobin, Michael. “Short Fast Food Credit Because of Ozempic, Barclays Says.” Web log. Bloomberg (blog), October 3, 2023. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-03/barclays-recommends-shorting-fast-food-credit-because-of-ozempic. 

³aktaş, yaşare & Tas, Isil & Gürgah Oğul, İrem. (2016). The development of brand awareness in young children: How do young children recognize brands?. International Journal of Consumer Studies. 40. 10.1111/ijcs.12298.