Chris Owens, a 52-year-old man, struggled with binge eating disorder for years. He would often eat normally during the day, but at night, he would give in to his cravings and binge on chips and candy. However, after starting a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist) medication, Owens found that his desire for food decreased, and he was able to lose 150 pounds.
Treating Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is a serious condition characterized by recurring episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period, often accompanied by feelings of guilt and shame. The diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder require a person to have at least one binge per week for at least three months, accompanied by marked distress over the behavior. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used to treat binge eating disorder, but it may not be effective for everyone.
GLP-1 medications, such as Zepbound, have shown promise in treating binge eating disorder. These medications work by simulating the GLP-1 hormone, which is naturally produced in the small intestine and has receptors throughout the body, including the brain. GLP-1 medications enhance the body’s appetite and satiety signals, slowing gastric emptying and making people feel fuller for longer. They also act on the brain’s reward circuits, decreasing the desire for food.
Benefits and Risks
Many people with binge eating disorder have reported significant improvements after starting GLP-1 medications. For example, one patient was able to fill her pantry with food without feeling the urge to binge, and another patient reported feeling like she could finally experience real physical hunger. However, GLP-1 medications can also have side effects, such as nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, headache, fatigue, and dizziness. In rare cases, they can cause serious adverse reactions, including pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and kidney problems.
Despite the potential benefits, GLP-1 medications are not approved to treat binge eating disorder, and insurance coverage may be limited. Some people may need to pay out of pocket for these medications, which can be expensive. Additionally, there is a growing trend of people accessing lower-cost GLP-1s through online compounding pharmacies, which can be dangerous due to the lack of medical oversight and verification of the medication’s ingredients and dosage.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
