If you’ve ever felt like food is always on your mind, you’re not alone. Researchers call this constant mental chatter “food noise,” and for many people struggling with excess weight, it makes healthy eating much harder.
New findings presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) annual meeting in Vienna suggest that semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist better known by brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, may help quiet that noise.
In a survey of 550 U.S. adults taking semaglutide for weight loss, participants were asked to recall their experience before treatment and compare it to their current state. Reported food noise dropped across the board:
Constant food thoughts fell from 62% before treatment to 16% after.
Uncontrollable thoughts about food decreased from 53% to 15%.
Food distractions that interfered with daily activities dropped from 47% to 15%.
Many participants also reported improvements in mental health (64%), self-confidence (76%) and healthier habits (80%), though it’s unclear whether these changes stemmed from reduced food noise, weight loss itself or other factors.
The concept of food noise has only recently entered public conversation, but it resonates with people who find themselves battling intrusive cravings or obsessive thoughts about food. While semaglutide works by slowing digestion and reducing appetite, this survey suggests there may also be a psychological shift.
It’s important to note that this research was funded by Novo Nordisk, the company that makes semaglutide, and carried out with a market research firm. The results have not yet been peer-reviewed, and independent studies will be needed to confirm the effect.
For now, the findings add another dimension to the conversation around GLP-1 drugs: beyond weight loss, they may influence how people think about food, something that could reshape daily eating behaviors and wellbeing.
Three of the study’s authors are employees of Novo Nordisk A/S.