What do you know about GLP-1s?
GLP-1s, “so hot right now”, but few people know what they are…
You can’t do anything in peace these days without GLP-1s getting shoved down your throat (or injected I suppose). They’re on your newsfeed, your coworker is talking about them at lunch, your aunt who sells essential oils thinks they are the devil, and your buddies wife swears they are the Holy Grail. The hype and debate is everywhere. But here’s the thing—most people have no clue what GLP-1s actually are or how they work leading to name-calling, spreading patently false information, or being ignorant. All of which need to be corrected.
What Are GLP-1s?
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone naturally produced in your gut after you eat. Its main role is regulating blood sugar: stimulating insulin release, slowing down gastric emptying (how quickly food leaves your stomach), and signaling fullness to your brain.
Translation: GLP-1 helps you use energy better and makes you feel full longer (Holst, 2007).
How Do GLP-1 Drugs Work?
Pharmaceutical (aka synthetic, which is totally fine by the way) GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic this natural hormone but stick around much longer. Instead of being broken down in minutes like your own GLP-1, these medications last hours or even days.
The benefits?
Better blood sugar control – They boost insulin only when glucose is high, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia (Nauck, 2016).
Slower digestion – Keeps food in your stomach longer, curbing overeating (Verdich et al., 2001).
Appetite regulation – They act on the brain’s appetite centers, dialing down cravings (Müller et al., 2021).
Weight loss – With better glucose control and reduced hunger, many people see meaningful fat loss (Wilding et al., 2021).
And in light of the above – GLP-1s are shown to lower A1C, reduce cardiovascular risk, and yes, help people lose weight—often the most sought-after outcome (Marso et al., 2016).
FDA-Approved GLP-1 Brands (As of 2025)
Here’s who’s on the market right now:
Semaglutide – Ozempic (diabetes) and Wegovy (weight loss).
Liraglutide – Victoza (diabetes) and Saxenda (weight loss).
Dulaglutide – Trulicity (diabetes).
Exenatide – Byetta (short-acting) and Bydureon (long-acting).
Tirzepatide – Mounjaro (diabetes) and Zepbound (weight loss).
Tirzepatide is a little different. It isn’t just a GLP-1 receptor agonist—it’s also a GIP agonist. GIP stands for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, another hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. By combining GLP-1 and GIP action, tirzepatide has shown even stronger effects on glucose control and weight loss than GLP-1s alone (Frias et al., 2021).
The Bottom Line
GLP-1 drugs aren’t magic—they’re science. They leverage the same hormones your body already uses to control appetite and blood sugar, just in a more powerful and longer-lasting way.
That said, there are multiple downsides that often get overlooked—nausea, GI upset, cost, muscle mass loss, recidivism and the reality that they’re not a cure-all. But they’re also not some “terrible” cheater drug. Like any tool, the benefit depends on how they’re used and who’s using them.
At Taylor Strength, we’re putting together an entire course on GLP-1s—covering the science, the practical application, and what men need to know if they’re considering them.
To be the first to know when it drops, join my free men’s community The Brotherhood HERE.
References
Holst JJ. The physiology of glucagon-like peptide 1. Physiol Rev. 2007.
Nauck MA. Update on developments with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for diabetes. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2016.
Verdich C, et al. GLP-1 reduces appetite and food intake in obese men. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2001.
Müller TD, et al. Mechanisms underlying GLP-1’s regulation of appetite. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2021.
Wilding JPH, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021.
Marso SP, et al. Liraglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2016.
Frias JP, et al. Tirzepatide versus semaglutide in type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2021.
