The Silent Storm of GLP1s: Are You Feeling “Gray”?

I want to start this blog out with a disclaimer. If you are on a GLP1, you should not feel shame. This blog is written to let you know that you’re not alone. You are not broken. If you having these feelings, you can reach out for help with no shame.

If you’re on a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, Wegovy, Semaglutide, or Mounjaro, you might have started out with hope. Hope for weight loss, better health, a brighter future. But for too many, that hope is fading into something darker: a muted, “gray” existence where joy feels out of reach. You’re losing weight, but instead of celebration, you’re battling hopelessness, emotional numbness, or a loss of spark. If this is you, hear this loud and clear: you are not alone, and this is not your fault.

The drug may be stealing your light, and it’s time to act with urgency.

As a weight loss practitioner, I’ve seen clients on GLP-1s transform physically, only to sink into a mental fog after about a year. They describe feeling like life is in grayscale—no highs, no lows, just a flat, heavy void. Some call it “hopelessness”; others say they’re “going through the motions.” This isn’t just a bad day—it’s a pattern, and it’s backed by alarming data. We need to talk about it now, because your mental health can’t wait.

The Evidence: Mental Health Risks of GLP-1s

Recent studies and real-world reports paint a troubling picture. A 2024 pharmacovigilance study of FDA data found over 8,000 psychiatric adverse events linked to GLP-1s, including:

• Nervousness (2x higher risk)
• Stress
• Insomnia (2x higher risk)
• Eating disorders (e.g., binge eating, fear of eating)
• Emotional blunting or anhedonia (loss of joy)
• Rare but serious: suicidal thoughts or behavior

The median onset? Just 31 days, though symptoms often worsen by 6–12 months. Social media platforms like Reddit and TikTok are flooded with stories: a chef who lost his passion for cooking, a parent who feels “autopilot” with their kids, patients who say life feels “dull” despite hitting their goal weight. One user wrote, “I should be thrilled, but I feel nothing.” Sound familiar?

The science points to GLP-1s’ impact on dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical. These drugs suppress cravings (for food, alcohol, even nicotine), but they may also dampen your ability to feel pleasure in everyday life. Add in the emotional weight of unmet expectations—weight loss doesn’t always fix self-worth or societal stigma—and you’ve got a recipe for a mental health crisis. The FDA and European Medicines Agency are investigating, with 265 reports of suicidal thoughts and hundreds of depression cases under review. This isn’t theoretical—it’s happening now.

The Pattern: How It Starts and Spirals

Here’s what I’ve seen in my practice and what the data confirms:

• Months 1–3: Subtle changes creep in. You might feel nervous, stressed, or struggle to sleep. Appetite suppression feels like a win, but food-related joy starts fading.
• Months 6–12: The “gray” sets in. Hopelessness, low motivation, or emotional numbness take root. You lose interest in hobbies, socializing, or even small pleasures. Anxiety or disordered eating (binging, avoiding food) may surface, especially if weight loss slows.
• Beyond a Year: For some, the fog deepens. Dependency on the drug for weight maintenance can feel like a trap, and rare cases of suicidal ideation emerge. If you stop, weight regain can crush your spirit further.

This isn’t just a side effect—it’s a signal your brain and body are crying out. Ignoring it risks letting “gray” become your new normal.

Don’t Settle for a Lazy Solution

Here’s where I get fired up. Too many patients are handed a GLP-1 shot by a nutritionist or provider who sees it as a quick fix. They don’t warn you about the mental health risks. They don’t check in when you start feeling off. They just pass you the needle and call it a day.

That’s not care—that’s lazy.

A nutritionist who offers the shot as the solution, without digging into your struggles, teaching you about nutrition, or monitoring your mental health, is failing you.

Don’t find a nutritionist who just hands you a shot because it’s easier for them. Find one who believes in you enough to get in the pit with you. One who’ll sit with your fears, help you navigate the emotional rollercoaster, and—when the time is right—toss that poison out of the boat. A real nutritionist partners with you to build sustainable health, not a chemical crutch that dulls your soul.

A real practitioner only offers the drug as the last resort… not the first.

Coach monica

You see helping people lose weight takes a lot of hard work. It takes intentional therapy not just handing out calories not just handing out a shot. This is why it is very rare to find this kind of practitioner or for that matter, a patient who is willing to go through the hard things.

Take Action: Reclaim Your Light

If you’re feeling “gray” on a GLP-1, act now. Your mental health is too precious to gamble. Here’s how to fight back:

1. Talk to Your Doctor Today: Share your symptoms—hopelessness, numbness, insomnia, anything off. Ask about dose adjustments or discontinuation. Demand a plan, not a pat on the back.
2. Get Screened: Use tools like the PHQ-9 (depression) or GAD-7 (anxiety) to quantify your symptoms. Share results with your provider to push for action.
3. Seek Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness practices can help you reconnect with joy and process the emotional weight of weight loss.
4. Move Your Body: Exercise boosts dopamine naturally. Even a 20-minute walk can lift the fog.
5. Find a True Ally: Work with a nutritionist who sees you as a person, not a prescription. They should monitor your mental health, tailor nutrition plans, and cheer you on without relying on shots.
6. Watch for Red Flags: Worsening mood, isolation, or thoughts of self-harm are emergencies. Call 988 (US) or your local crisis line and tell your doctor immediately.

Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore

Be vigilant. If you notice these, act fast:

• Persistent hopelessness or feeling “nothing matters”
• Loss of interest in everything (not just food)
• New anxiety, panic, or obsessive thoughts about eating
• Insomnia or fatigue that tanks your energy
• Any hint of suicidal thoughts, even fleeting

A Call to Arms

GLP-1s can be lifesavers for some, but for others, they’re a silent thief, stealing joy and leaving “gray” in its place. The data is clear, the stories are real, and the urgency is undeniable. You deserve to feel vibrant, not muted. Don’t let a lazy system—or a lazy nutritionist—convince you this is just “how it is.” Fight for your mental health. Demand better care. And if the shot is dragging you down, be ready to toss it overboard with a team that’s got your back.

You Are Not Alone

One of the things that we are seeing as practitioners is the shame that comes along with the GLP1 because it is seen as a shortcut. Many people are taking the shot “in the closet” and not expressing the need for help. Part of this can be blamed on the marketing of the GLP1 companies.

They have set up such a line of defense and a massive push TO the drug that you’re not allowed to say anything negative. I have seen the defense of this drug become so strong on social media, that someone who lands in the hospital with a horrible side effect from the drug is shamed, and told to go back on the drug.

If you’re struggling, reach out. Share your story in the comments, connect with others on social media, or message a trusted friend. (One who is not an avid defender of the drug) This drug may be causing the fog, but you have the power to break through. Find a nutritionist and coach who believes in you—not the shot—and start reclaiming your light today. If you need help getting off the medication without gaining weight back, we have created a GLP-1 recovery program that will help titrate you off the medication and reverse your diet in effort to heal your metabolism. Find out more about that program HERE.

Above all else, protect your health. Protect your body, mind and spirit.

Disclaimer: Always consult a healthcare provider before making changes to your medication. This blog is for informational purposes and does not replace medical advice.