60-second Science

In this episode of Science Quickly, Scientific American’s associate health editor Lauren Young joins host Kendra Pierre-Louis to talk about how the story of GLP‑1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro is evolving. We trace GLP-1s’ origins as type 2 diabetes treatments, their rise as blockbuster weight‑loss medications and the ensuing complications—including the expanding market for compounded drugs. And we look at how the landscape has only grown more complex as researchers explore surprising potential uses for GLP‑1s, from addiction treatment to cardiovascular benefits, even as new concerns emerge about long‑term effects. Recommended Reading: Compound weight-loss drugs are everywhere. The FDA is cracking down People who took GLP-1 drugs had lower risk of all kinds of drug and alcohol addiction E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover! Discover something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Toda