Ozempic beyond weight loss? A preview of GLP-1s, craving, and the brain
This preview, based only on the published show notes, points to a TED Talks Daily episode about whether GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic could affect addiction as well as diabetes and weight. Physician Dhruv Khullar explores their unusual origin story and why their biggest effects may be happening in the brain.
This episode preview suggests a conversation that goes well beyond the usual Ozempic headlines. Based on the show notes, physician Dhruv Khullar follows the story of GLP-1 drugs from an unexpected starting point — Gila monster saliva — to their role as potential diabetes medications and possible tools for addressing addiction. The central idea seems to be that these drugs may help reduce craving by acting as a kind of “moderation molecule.” That makes this episode especially relevant if you’re curious about how medicines designed for one purpose can end up reshaping thinking in another area entirely. The notes also hint that the most important effects may be neurological rather than digestive, framing GLP-1s as part of a bigger discussion about appetite, reward, and behavior. If you like episodes that mix medicine, neuroscience, and public-health implications, this one looks promising. The format also includes a post-talk conversation with guest host Manoush Zomorodi, who is curating this seven-part TED2026 series on living healthier in a high-tech era. Based on the notes alone, expect a stage talk plus a deeper follow-up discussion rather than a simple explainer. This is a preview from the published metadata, not a recap of the audio itself.
About this episode
<p>What if GLP-1s like Ozempic could do more than just tip the scales? Physician Dhruv Khullar traces the winding path of the "moderation molecule" — from a discovery in Gila monster saliva to a potential diabetes medication and addiction treatment — and how they could quiet the relentless noise of craving. The most surprising effects of GLP-1s may not be in the gut, but in the brain. And stick around after his talk for a deep dive conversation with our guest host for the week, author and podcaster Manoush Zomorodi, into the ideas he shared on stage and beyond.</p><br><p>This is episode five of a seven-part series airing this week on <em>TED Talks Daily</em>, where Manoush — and the seven speakers she curated for TED2026 — explore how you can live a healthier life in our high-tech era.</p><br><p>To hear more from Manoush, listen to <em>TED Radio Hour</em> wherever you get your podcasts. Check out her new book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Body-Electric-Digital-Science-Well-Being/dp/1250411203" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Body Electric</em></a><em>,</em> to learn more about the hidden health costs of the digital age.</p><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>