Off-Label and Underground: The Hidden Risks of GLP-1 Drugs for weight loss

In this episode, we take a closer look at the shadow side of the GLP-1 revolution. While medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have transformed diabetes treatment, their meteoric rise as weight-loss solutions has opened a complex "underground" frontier.Together with Professor Lambros Lazuras, we investigate the drivers behind this shift—from social media hype to the cultural pressure for rapid results. We explore the clinical and societal dangers of off-label use, the surge in non-prescription consumption, and the alarming emergence of sophisticated counterfeit products. This conversation offers a critical look at how pharmaceutical innovation, when detached from medical supervision, poses new and significant risks to global public health.------------------------------------------------In questo episodio analizziamo il lato oscuro della rivoluzione GLP-1. Se da un lato farmaci come Ozempic, Wegovy e Mounjaro hanno trasformato la cura del diabete, la loro ascesa fulminea come soluzione per il dimagrimento rapido ha aperto una complessa frontiera "underground".Insieme al Professor Lambros Lazuras, indaghiamo le cause di questa trasformazione: dall'hype dei social media alla pressione culturale per risultati rapidi. Esploriamo i pericoli clinici e sociali dell'uso off-label, l'aumento dei consumi senza prescrizione e l'allarmante diffusione di prodotti contraffatti. Un dialogo critico su come l’innovazione farmaceutica, se slegata dalla supervisione medica, possa generare rischi nuovi per la salute pubblica globale.------------------------------------------------Interview with Professor Lambros Lazuras, PhD, Cpsychol - Professor of Psychology, Sport & Exercise Science - Director of Research & Knowledge Exchange - School of Psychology, Sport Science, & Wellbeing, University of Lincoln, UK.Interview by Dr. Gabriele Penazzi, PhD, Addiction Science Lab, Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento.Addiction Lab Podcasts curated by Professor Ornella Corazza, Director of Addiction Science Lab - Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science - University of Trento.Podcast Production, Music composition, Sound design by Leonidas Danezos.