MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS
Anhedonia
What is Anhedonia?
A common mental health symptom of people who are taking GLP-1 and GIP medications.
Characteristics of Anhedonia?
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Loss of interest and motivation
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Decreased libido
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Inability to experience joy or pleasure
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Emotional numbness
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Chronic fatigue and low energy
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Less pleasure from eating food
Other factors
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GLP-1 and GIP medications cause you to eat less food, which means you'll have less energy.​​​​
​​​
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GLP-1s and GIP medications turn off the brain’s dopamine reward system related to eating.
Things you can do to help
1. Eat smaller, more frequent meals with protein
To help combat anhedonia, focus on eating nutrient-dense, high-protein foods that boost dopamine and support gut health.
-
Prioritize lean proteins like turkey, chicken, beef, cottage cheese, eggs, tofu, lentils, and beans.
-
Healthy fats like avocado, walnuts, almonds, and olive oil (which also helps with satiety and hormone stability).
-
Fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates (oats, quinoa) to combat constipation, stabilize blood sugar, and fuel neurotransmitter production.
-
Fermented Foods like greek yogurt, kefir, and kimchi help support the gut-brain axis, potentially easing symptoms.
2. Avoid greasy, fatty foods
Greasy, fatty foods cause nausea, severe bloating, and constipation—that often cause discomfort and lack of motivation, sometimes mistaken for anhedonia. These foods worsen the delayed gastric emptying caused by GLP-1s, leading to long-lasting discomfort, lower energy, and reduced enjoyment of food.
3. Get regular weekly exercise
Exercise helps counteract anhedonia—a reduced ability to feel pleasure or motivation—caused by GLP-1 medications by boosting dopamine, increasing endorphins, and improving metabolic health.
Regular physical activity compensates for the lowered food-reward pleasure signals, boosts energy levels often diminished by lower caloric intake, and reduces mental fatigue.
​
You should get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity combined with 2–3 days of strength training.
4. Ask a provider about adjusting your dose, switching your medication, or adding a new medication
Asking a provider lower the dose of your medication may reduce excessive dopamine suppression, allowing the brain to adapt while still maintaining weight loss.
Switching to different weight loss medication may help some patients, who feel increased anhedonia on semaglutide, (Ozempic/Wegovy) experience improved mood and decreased "meh" feelings when switching to tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound), which acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors.
​
A provider can also prescribe a new medication or suggest supplements that may help treat the symptoms associated with anhedonia. ​​
Our experienced provider can help get you back on track to feeling better. Join Nudge Fit today to get the care you deserve.
Digestive issues
Why am I having digestive issues?
The primary reasons people experience stomach issues are due to GLP-1 and GIP medications causing:
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Slowed stomach emptying
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Reduced bowel movements
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Increased acid reflux
Common digestive issues caused by GLP-1 and GIP medications
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Nausea Diarrhea
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Vomiting Constipation
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Abdominal (stomach) pain or discomfort
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Decreased appetite
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Indigestion or heartburn
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Belching or gas
Other factors
-
GLP-1 and GIP medications cause you to eat less food, which means you'll have less energy.​​​​
​​​
-
GLP-1s and GIP medications turn off the brain’s dopamine reward system related to eating.
Things you can do to help
1. Eat smaller, more frequent meals with protein
To help combat anhedonia, focus on eating nutrient-dense, high-protein foods that boost dopamine and support gut health.
-
Prioritize lean proteins like turkey, chicken, beef, cottage cheese, eggs, tofu, lentils, and beans.
-
Healthy fats like avocado, walnuts, almonds, and olive oil (which also helps with satiety and hormone stability).
-
Fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates (oats, quinoa) to combat constipation, stabilize blood sugar, and fuel neurotransmitter production.
-
Fermented foods like greek yogurt, kefir, and kimchi help support the gut-brain axis, potentially easing symptoms.
2. Avoid greasy, fatty foods
Greasy, fatty foods cause nausea, severe bloating, and constipation—that often cause discomfort and lack of motivation, sometimes mistaken for anhedonia. These foods worsen the delayed gastric emptying caused by GLP-1s, leading to long-lasting discomfort, lower energy, and reduced enjoyment of food.
3. Get regular weekly exercise
Exercise helps counteract anhedonia—a reduced ability to feel pleasure or motivation—caused by GLP-1 medications by boosting dopamine, increasing endorphins, and improving metabolic health.
Regular physical activity compensates for the lowered food-reward pleasure signals, boosts energy levels often diminished by lower caloric intake, and reduces mental fatigue.
​
You should get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity combined with 2–3 days of strength training.
4. Ask a provider about adjusting your dose, switching your medication, or adding a new medication
Asking a provider lower the dose of your medication may reduce excessive dopamine suppression, allowing the brain to adapt while still maintaining weight loss.
Switching to different weight loss medication may help some patients, who feel increased anhedonia on semaglutide, (Ozempic/Wegovy) experience improved mood and decreased "meh" feelings when switching to tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound), which acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors.
​
A provider can also prescribe a new medication or suggest supplements that may help treat the symptoms associated with anhedonia. ​​
Our experienced provider can recommend over-the-counter options or offer a prescription medication to help settle digestive issues caused by GLP-1 and GIP medications. Join Nudge Fit today to get the care you deserve.
Products we recommend and use
*We have carefully reviewed these products and selected only the least expensive, highest quality options available.
At home body weight scales
Blood pressure monitors
Syringe disposal container
Travel cooler case for vials
Sterile alcohol cleaning wipes
For constipation
1. Amazon Basic Care ClearLax Polyethylene Glycol 3350
Berberine supplement
