Miracle Drugs & Quick Fixes with Neil deGrasse Tyson & Nick Tiller

Is there such a thing as a quick fix? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly learn about the science behind a wave of new weight loss drugs, the ethics of Ozempic use, and off-label prescriptions with exercise scientist, Dr. Nick Tiller. Speak to your physician before starting any new drugs. Learn how Ozempic and other semaglutide injectors work in patients with diabetes. We break down what it does inside the body and how it interacts with GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas, stomach, and the brain. Can semaglutide make your brain want to eat less? We discuss the impact of inflammation on the body and how semaglutide might help in preventing dementia. Find out how studying lizard venom led to the creation of semaglutide. We explore our skepticisms with the drug and the drawbacks it might have. What happens when someone who is not obese takes the drug? Can you ever stop taking it once you start? Is there enough semaglutide to go around? We discuss shortages and their impact on diabetes patients. Is semaglutide better at managing blood sugar than insulin? We also discuss off label prescriptions and whether they should be further regulated. Should the FDA further regulate off label usages of drugs? Thanks to our Patrons Christian Attwood, Tyler Loveland, Ruhan Periyacheri, Jeff Parker, Ed Thorton, and Dakota Ponder for supporting us this week. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #neildegrassetyson Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Quick Fix Weight Loss Drugs 3:43 - Ozempic for Diabetes 9:32 - How Weight Contributes to Diabetes 10:56 - How Semaglutide and GLP-1 Work 16:04 - Eating for Pleasure 20:46 - Semaglutide, Dementia, & Inflammation 23:43 - The History of GLP-1 28:28 - Skepticism & Long Term Effects 31:40 - Taking Semaglutide When You Do Not Need It 35:03 - The Ethics & Semaglutide Shortage 40:45 - Regulating Off-Label Prescriptions