Curiosity Weekly: Ozempic & Prescribed Quiet with Dr. Emma Beckett

Hosted by Dr. Samantha Yamin | Release Date: July 30, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Curiosity Weekly, Dr. Samantha Yamin delves into the multifaceted world of Ozempic, a GLP1 drug that has surged in popularity beyond its original use for managing type 2 diabetes. Joining her is Dr. Emma Beckett, a renowned food and nutrition scientist, to explore the science, cultural impact, and broader implications of this medication. The discussion also touches on innovative approaches to mosquito control using prescription drugs, highlighting the continuous repurposing of existing medications for novel applications.

Ozempic and GLP1 Drugs: Beyond Diabetes Management

Understanding GLP1 Medications

At [09:55], Dr. Yamin introduces the topic by highlighting Ozempic's widespread recognition as a "miracle weight loss drug." To unpack this, Dr. Beckett explains, "GLP1 is glucagon-like peptide, they essentially reduce appetite so they act both in the brain and in the gut, slowing down how fast food moves through the gut and making us feel more satiated" (10:04). These medications are celebrated for their long half-life, providing sustained appetite suppression, which smooths out hunger cycles more effectively than the naturally occurring GLP1.

Repurposing for Weight Loss

Dr. Beckett emphasizes the common practice of drug repurposing in medicine. She states, “We do that in medicine all the time. There are all kinds of drugs that started out as one thing and became another” (11:09). Ozempic, initially designed for diabetes, has found a secondary use in weight management, illustrating the fluid nature of pharmaceutical applications.

Muscle Mass Concerns

A significant concern discussed is the associated decline in muscle mass with rapid weight loss using GLP1 drugs. Dr. Beckett explains, “Losing muscle mass as well as fat mass is a problem. In any rapid weight loss, that's going to be a problem anyway” (12:05). She highlights that muscle loss is particularly detrimental for middle-aged women, stressing the importance of balanced diet and exercise alongside medication to mitigate these effects.

Food Noise: A New Concept in Appetite Control

At [13:57], Dr. Yamin introduces the concept of "food noise," a term used by users of GLP1 drugs to describe the persistent, intrusive thoughts about food that continue even after eating. Dr. Beckett clarifies, “Food noise is the distraction in your brain thinking about food. It's different from hunger because it doesn't go away when you eat” (14:26). This distinction is crucial for understanding how these drugs impact the psychological aspects of eating, beyond mere physical hunger.

Holistic Approach to Weight Management

Dr. Beckett advocates for a comprehensive approach to weight loss, combining medication with therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle interventions. She shares her personal experience, stating, “I tried Ozempic in the early days... I couldn't get excited about food... my diet had turned so bland and so not nutritious” (16:42). This underscores the necessity of addressing both biological and behavioral factors in weight management.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Beyond weight loss, GLP1 drugs offer significant cardiovascular benefits. Dr. Beckett elaborates, “Cardiovascular disease is the number one positive health outcome for people using it for weight loss” (17:54). The reduction in saturated fat and salt intake, combined with weight loss and potential anti-inflammatory effects, contribute to lowered risks of atherosclerosis and other heart-related conditions.

Innovative Mosquito Control: Turning Human Blood Toxic

Transitioning from human health to vector control, Dr. Yamin discusses a groundbreaking study on using the prescription drug nitisinone to combat mosquito-borne diseases. Highlighting at [19:26], she explains that nitisinone, already FDA-approved for treating rare metabolic diseases, can make human blood toxic to mosquitoes. This is achieved by blocking an enzyme essential for mosquitoes, leading to their death shortly after feeding (19:26).

Implications for Public Health

This innovative approach addresses a significant global health challenge, as mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and West Nile virus pose threats to millions worldwide. Dr. Yamin notes, “Mosquito-borne diseases cause hundreds of millions of illnesses every year, with at least half of the world's population at risk” (20:00). The potential of using an existing drug to reduce mosquito mortality presents a promising strategy in the fight against these pervasive diseases.

Comparison with Genetic Modification

The episode also contrasts this method with previous genetic modification efforts, such as releasing genetically engineered male mosquitoes to diminish mosquito populations. Dr. Yamin states, “These mosquitoes were genetically modified so that their female offspring wouldn't survive, ultimately shrinking the mosquito population” (21:00). While both methods aim to control mosquito populations, the use of nitisinone offers a pharmacological alternative that could complement existing strategies.

Conclusion

Dr. Samantha Yamin wraps up the episode by emphasizing the importance of innovative thinking in both medicine and public health. The discussions on Ozempic highlight the complexities of drug repurposing and the necessity of a holistic approach to health, while the exploration of nitisinone showcases the potential for existing medications to address new challenges. This episode underscores the ever-evolving landscape of scientific discovery and its profound impact on our daily lives.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Emma Beckett (10:04):

  "GLP1 is glucagon-like peptide, they essentially reduce appetite so they act both in the brain and in the gut, slowing down how fast food moves through the gut and making us feel more satiated."

• Dr. Emma Beckett (11:09):

  "We do that in medicine all the time. There are all kinds of drugs that started out as one thing and became another."

• Dr. Emma Beckett (14:26):

  "Food noise is the distraction in your brain thinking about food. It's different from hunger because it doesn't go away when you eat."

• Dr. Emma Beckett (16:42):

  "I tried Ozempic in the early days... I couldn't get excited about food... my diet had turned so bland and so not nutritious."

• Dr. Emma Beckett (17:54):

  "Cardiovascular disease is the number one positive health outcome for people using it for weight loss."

Additional Resources

• Series on Wildlife and Drugs:

  • Animals on Drugs premieres on July 28th at 8 PM on Discovery, hosted by Galanti. This series explores how drugs affect wildlife, delving into cases like "cocaine sharks" and "bears on Edibles Forest."

• Previous Episodes:

  • Listen to the interview with Forrest, who discusses tracking venomous sharks in Australia, offering insights into his passion for wildlife conservation.

• Follow Dr. Emma Beckett:

  • Connect with Dr. Beckett on Instagram for more updates on nutrition and food innovation.

Curiosity Weekly is produced by the team at Wheelhouse DNA, with Teresa Carey as the Senior Producer and Editorial Correspondent, Chiara Noni as Producer, Nick Kharismi as Audio Engineer, and Cassie Berman as Head of Production.