Why does this drug make me think about food more?
Brain activity associated with breakthrough food preoccupation in an individual on tirzepatide
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
A woman on a weight-loss drug called tirzepatide had a brain implant that recorded her brain waves. When she suddenly started thinking about food non-stop, her brain showed a special pattern of slow waves in the 'reward center'. When she wasn't thinking about food, the pattern disappeared.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
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Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional Studies
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Evidence Score
Detailed descriptions of individual patients or small groups. Valuable for identifying new conditions or side effects, but cannot establish generalizable conclusions.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
A woman on a weight-loss drug called tirzepatide had a brain implant that recorded her brain waves. When she suddenly started thinking about food non-stop, her brain showed a special pattern of slow waves in the 'reward center'. When she wasn't thinking about food, the pattern disappeared.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Max 100Randomized Controlled Trials
Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional Studies
Max 44Case Reports & Case Series
Max 30Expert Opinion & Narrative Reviews
Max 538 / 30
Evidence Score
Detailed descriptions of individual patients or small groups. Valuable for identifying new conditions or side effects, but cannot establish generalizable conclusions.
Publication
Authors
Choi W, Nho YH, Qiu L, Chang A, Campos G, Seilheimer RL, Wilent WB, Bakalov D, Firdous N, Kerr M, Joshi D, Maze G, Topalovic U, Batista D, Suthana N, Amaro A, Hayes MR, Cajigas I, Cristancho M, Allison KC, Pesaran B, Scangos KW, Gold JI, Wadden TA, Halpern CH
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Claims (6)
In three individuals, including one taking tirzepatide, brain wave activity in the nucleus accumbens at frequencies below 7 Hz increased during intense food-focused thoughts compared to periods without such thoughts.
In one person taking tirzepatide, a specific brainwave pattern in a region linked to reward processing appeared about seven weeks before intense food cravings returned, indicating this pattern might predict the recurrence of cravings.
In one person with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes taking tirzepatide, a specific pattern of brainwave activity in a region linked to reward processing occurred at the same time as intense cravings for food, indicating a possible link between brain activity and this behavior.
In one person taking tirzepatide, a specific brainwave pattern in the nucleus accumbens was not present when food-related thoughts decreased. This pattern may be linked to how strongly someone is focused on food at a given time, rather than being a permanent feature of their brain.
Medications that activate GLP-1 receptors are associated with lower urges to eat high-calorie foods and reduced persistent thoughts about food in people.