Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

What happens when GLP-1 medications change more than just your appetite?

If you’re considering anti-obesity medications, it’s normal to wonder what else they might affect beyond hunger. In this episode, I respond to a thoughtful listener question: If food and alcohol have been your go-to coping tools, what happens when they no longer provide comfort?

We explore how GLP-1 medications can dampen the brain’s reward response—not just to food, but to other pleasures as well—and what that might mean for social drinking, emotional regulation, and mental health. I also unpack the rare but real risk of mood changes, why it’s so important to have fulfilling habits in place before starting, and how, for many people, these medications unlock a new level of physical freedom and possibility.

If you’re weighing your options or just want a clearer picture of what life on GLP-1s can look like, this episode offers a grounded, honest perspective—plus why having the right medical support really matters.

Audio Stamps

00:30 - Dr. Rentea shares her summer planning approach and introduces a fan mail question about GLP-1 medications affecting reward systems beyond food.

02:13 - A listener asks whether GLP-1 medications shut down reward responses only for food or for everything, and worries about losing coping mechanisms.

03:40 - Dr. Rentea addresses the concerning pattern of using food and alcohol as coping mechanisms for sleep and stress.

05:07 - The reality of how GLP-1 medications change your relationship with food and why many people lose interest in alcohol.

07:28 - The rare but real risk of depression and mental health changes on these medications, and why medical supervision is crucial.

09:27 - On the flip side, how life can become incredibly amazing when physical capabilities improve and new activities become possible.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

Premium Season 1 of The Obesity Guide: Behind the Curtain -Dive into real clinical scenarios, from my personal medication journey to tackling weight loss plateaus, understanding insulin resistance, and challenges with GLP-1s. Plus, get a 40+ page guide packed with protein charts, weight loss formulas, and more.

Pre-register for the Sep 30/30 group.

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

Premium Season 1 of The Obesity Guide: Behind the Curtain -Dive into real clinical scenarios, from my personal medication journey to tackling weight loss plateaus, understanding insulin resistance, and challenges with GLP-1s. Plus, get a 40+ page guide packed with protein charts, weight loss formulas, and more.

Pre-register for the Sep 30/30 group.

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

“How am I supposed to take care of myself on top of everything else?” When life is heavy—whether you’re caring for a loved one, buried in work, or simply stretched too thin—your own health and wellbeing often fall to the bottom of the list. It’s not because you don’t care. It’s because you’re exhausted.

That’s exactly where therapist Amie Adams found herself: in the thick of caregiving for her mother with dementia while working full time. In the middle of burnout, she realized something had to change—but she didn’t have the energy or capacity for a perfect plan. So, she started by doing the only thing she could: she did it messy.

In this episode, we’re unpacking what it really looks like to start a health journey when you’re already running on empty. You’ll hear how Amie redefined success, let go of perfectionism, and began taking small, sustainable steps forward. If you’re in a hard season and don’t know where to begin, this is your reminder: there is a way forward, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

References

Connect with Amie:

Website

Instagram

Tik Tok

Waterllama

The Hydrate App

00:30 - Dr. Rentea introduces today’s guest, therapist Amie Adams, to talk about staying healthy when life gets tough.

03:00 - Amie explains the life circumstances which forced her to prioritize her health despite being overwhelmed with caregiving for her mom.

05:26 - Amie started by finding inspiring online communities before taking any physical action steps.

07:59 - Two key mindset shifts for overwhelmed people trying to prioritize health without adding stress.

10:34 - Amie stresses that asking for help is uncomfortable but essential.

14:25 - Amy was surprised by how isolating caregiving became despite having strong social connections.

20:00 - Amy advises to "do it messy" and start small rather than waiting for the perfect moment to begin.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

Premium Season 1 of The Obesity Guide: Behind the Curtain -Dive into real clinical scenarios, from my personal medication journey to tackling weight loss plateaus, understanding insulin resistance, and challenges with GLP-1s. Plus, get a 40+ page guide packed with protein charts, weight loss formulas, and more.

Pre-register for the Sep 30/30 group.