Ozempic And Wegovy Work For Weight Loss, But….
Just when you thought that real health and fitness (read: good old eating well and exercise) was having a moment…. You were wrong.
All over TikTok and other social media platforms, regular people and influencers alike are singing praises for Ozempic and Wegovy, two pharmaceutical drugs that are extremely effective in helping people lose weight. These new medications were designed not for people who need to trim down for vanity, but for those for whom obesity is a real life-threatening issue, as well as for those who suffer from other comorbidities including diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
It must be said that these new drugs are far more effective than older drugs. They work, and they’re FDA-approved: what’s not to love?
The Price
Ozempic can cost from $700 to $950 each month, while Wegovy is pricier and will set you back more than $1,300 each month. How much you spend on the drugs depends on the dosage prescribed to you by your doctor; those who need to lose a greater amount of weight will naturally have to pay more.
If your health insurance can cover it, then you can save some money. Only some health insurance providers can cover these medications because they are still relatively new.
Patients who can’t afford to stay on the drugs may risk rebounding their weight gain quickly, which can be a serious health risk.
How They Work
Both Ozempic and Wegovy are GLP-1 receptor agonists, a type of drug that regulates how the body metabolizes sugar while also helping you feel fuller for longer in between meals. The result is efficient weight loss, oftentimes significant and remarkable enough for many who struggle to lose weight with diet and exercise.
Ozempic was specifically approved for treating Type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is a more potent formulation that was approved for helping people lose weight. They shouldn’t be interchanged. Both medications are taken once weekly intravenously; the injections both contain semaglutide, which is the active ingredient. Semiglutide is an injectable medication that replicates the work of the GLP-1 hormone, produced in the gut as a biological response when we consume food. GLP-1 has many roles, the most significant is to tell the body to produce higher levels of insulin, thus reducing blood sugar. This is why semiglutide is effective in treating type 2 diabetes.
In addition, GLP-1, when consumed in higher doses, interact with certain parts of the brain that help keep appetites down and prolong satiety levels. This is another reason why it works well to help people lose weight, particularly when combined with diet and exercise. Other benefits to weight loss include reducing the risk of diabetes, cancer, and different types of heart disease.
While both drugs are rising in popularity these days, they should not be considered a quick and easy way, or a shortcut, for long-term weight loss and overall health. It is widely known and accepted in the medical community that the most effective way to keep weight off while staying healthy is to get proper sleep and nutrition while taking care of your fitness and emotional health.
Can You Take Ozempic and Wegovy With Weed?
Given how common cannabis consumption is these days, and the fact that many states allow you to consume it without a doctor’s recommendation, it’s important to understand if there are any harmful drug interactions between cannabis and weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Remember that while cannabis and its compounds (THC, CBD) are safe and effective on their own, they have been known to interact with pharmaceutical medications.
With regards to Ozempic, there are some potential adverse reactions with marijuana. There have been no studies conducted on interactions among the two drugs, though some people have reported vomiting and nausea when mixing Ozempic with weed. The risk of nausea and vomiting may be reduced if you consume a smaller dose of weed while you are still medicating with Ozempic. Other possible side effects include fatigue, dizziness, and respiratory distress.
On the other hand, combining marijuana with Wegovy can also cause unwanted adverse reactions. These include dizziness and hallucinations.
Either way, if you are consuming medical marijuana to help you with other conditions such as anxiety or depression, always let your healthcare provider know before you start taking Ozempic or Wegovy.
In addition, you may also end up getting the munchies when you smoke pot even if you are taking any semiglutide medication. This may cancel the weight-loss effects of semiglutide, so if you are serious about losing weight for health reasons, it may be best to stay off weed while you’re taking these drugs. Of course, the munchies may not be as strong, but it can still cause you to eat much more than you need to.
If you need cannabis for anxiety or depression, consider taking CBD instead.
Conclusion
Obesity can lead to numerous complications and comorbidities. These include type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and so much more. However, weight loss can be difficult for many people. While a healthy diet and regular exercise regimen is of course always the best route, oftentimes patients may need to lose weight quicker to prevent the risk of serious illness or they simply need help.
The development of modern pharmaceutical medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy are revolutionary for helping fight obesity and related conditions. However, it’s always best to consult with a doctor if you are already medicating with cannabis, especially THC. In the event that you may have to temporarily stop consuming THC and weed products so that you can successfully lose weight with these drugs, you can always go back to it once you are off them. It’s always best to err on the side of caution and avoid combining marijuana with Ozempic and Wegovy.
Don’t forget to always disclose to your doctor all other medications you are currently taking for safety.
WEIGHT LOSS AND WEED, READ ON...
