Every day seems to bring fresh developments about GLP-1 receptor agonists. Originally introduced to manage diabetes, these drugs are now breaking new ground by addressing obesity with a simple weekly injection. Today, they are showing potential to treat cardiovascular and kidney diseases and are being studied for conditions like Alzheimer’s and addiction.
Although it’s still early days, GLP-1 drugs could become one of the most transformative drug classes in history. As they become more affordable and accessible, they hold the promise of dramatically improving life for more than a billion people, with profound impacts on industries, economies, and society.
In the three years since semaglutide was approved for obesity treatment, it has quickly captured America’s attention. After years of failed “miracle cures,” these drugs deliver results. They’re popular not only with social media influencers and high-powered executives but with a broad swath of the population. In fact, one in eight American adults has used GLP-1 drugs. Novo Nordisk, which markets semaglutide under the brand names Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss, and Eli Lilly, whose tirzepatide has proven even more effective, have seen their market values soar by around $1 trillion since 2021.
The demand is now spreading beyond America. With over 40% of the world’s population overweight or obese, the appetite for GLP-1 drugs is growing globally. Given the rise of sedentary lifestyles and higher incomes in the developing world, waistlines are expanding globally, creating a need for more accessible weight-loss solutions.
The potential benefits of GLP-1 drugs extend far beyond weight management. Research shows that overweight patients on semaglutide experience fewer heart attacks and strokes—benefits that seem largely independent of weight loss. Tirzepatide has been found to improve sleep apnea, while other studies show GLP-1 agonists can reduce chronic kidney disease in diabetics. These drugs may even slow brain shrinkage and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients. Observational studies suggest they may also reduce addiction risks: individuals on GLP-1 drugs in the U.S. have shown lower rates of opioid overdoses and lower rates of cannabis and alcohol misuse. Some researchers are even hinting at possible anti-aging effects.
How can a single drug class achieve so much? Beyond their action in the gut, these medications bind to receptors throughout the body, including in the brain. They seem to lower inflammation and affect pathways linked to cravings and reward responses. Each new finding helps researchers understand more about the interconnectedness of the brain and body.
A Note on Costs
Despite their immense promise, GLP-1 drugs come with a high price tag. Tirzepatide costs over $500 a month in the United States, putting it out of reach for many patients without insurance coverage. The long-term financial impact of using these drugs, potentially for a lifetime, remains uncertain. While prices may decrease over time, the initial cost is a substantial barrier for widespread access, especially in low-income communities and countries with limited healthcare funding.
Generic versions may help reduce costs, but only once patents expire and more affordable options enter the market. Until then, the financial strain of GLP-1 drugs may prevent many from benefiting. Governments and insurers are grappling with how to balance the expense against potential long-term savings from reduced healthcare costs related to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. The success of these drugs in reaching a broader audience depends on continued efforts to make them more affordable for everyday people, which will be essential if they are to fulfill their promise as a truly transformative treatment.
Long-Term Considerations
Although GLP-1 agonists have been used for diabetes for two decades, some of the newer findings are based on observational studies that need confirmation through randomized trials. Patients may need to take these medications indefinitely, yet the long-term benefits and risks remain uncharted.
Immediate side effects, such as nausea, pancreatitis, diarrhea, and muscle loss, may deter some, while potential unknown risks associated with decades of usage are a concern. Some also question whether these drugs could contribute to the medicalization of everyday life, or encourage people to disregard healthy habits, knowing they have a “cure” to rely on.
Yet as time progresses, with ongoing research and innovation, costs may drop, side effects may diminish, and the benefits may become clearer. Healthy lifestyle choices and public health recommendations will always remain important, but for many individuals who’ve tried everything else, these drugs offer a real chance at a healthier life.
Shaping the Future of Health
Consider the broader possibilities. In 2019, diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and kidney disease ranked among the world’s top ten causes of death. As populations age and healthcare access expands in developing countries, the burden of these diseases is expected to rise significantly by 2050. Meanwhile, the opioid crisis claimed over 100,000 lives in the U.S. last year, with another 180,000 deaths linked to alcohol.
For patients, GLP-1 drugs represent the potential for longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. In today’s world, people often struggle with impulses despite knowing the long-term harm of certain behaviors. GLP-1 agonists could curb intrusive cravings, enabling better health and improved quality of life.
Economic Impact
The cost of making GLP-1 drugs widely available will be substantial, yet they could offset other expenses. In America alone, obesity-related healthcare costs total around $260 billion per year, while substance abuse strains the criminal justice system. Although governments might lose revenue from alcohol taxes, income tax revenues could rise with a healthier, more productive workforce.
Just as the contraceptive pill transformed women’s social and economic opportunities, GLP-1 drugs may drive profound shifts in productivity, health, and freedom of choice. Certain industries may be forced to pivot. Junk food, advertising, and even drug dealers may focus more on quality than quantity if people can better control their cravings. Societal attitudes may shift, too. Today, thinness is often idealized as a hard-won achievement, while obese individuals face discrimination. With easier access to weight control, perspectives may change, and obesity and addiction could be increasingly seen as treatable conditions rather than moral failings.
The era of GLP-1 drugs is just beginning, with endless possibilities ahead.