Life After Food
New York magazine|February 27 - March 12, 2023
A diabetes miracle drug has become an off-label appetite suppressant, changing the definition of being thin and what it takes to get there.
By Matthew Schneier. Photographs by Pierpaolo Ferrari and Maurizio Cattelan
Life After Food

Allison is an actress. When we meet up for coffee-she has an almond-milk cortado-in midtown, something's different about her, but I'm not sure what. She looks like an Instagram version of herself but in real life.

It turns out she's down about ten pounds and happy about it. "Somebody once told me I had a size-zero personality, and they assumed that I was thinner than I was," she tells me. "We don't talk about it, but everybody knows it. Thin is power." Allison isn't alone in seeming to be suddenly, unaccountably slimmer of late. She admitted to me with the provision that I not use her real name-the reason, one that is increasingly common if still not quite openly discussed. For the past month, she's been jabbing herself every week with Ozempic, the heavily advertised ("Oh, oh, oh, Ozempic, to the tune, none too subtly, of the '70s classic-rock hit "Magic") diabetes miracle drug, which works by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone, GLP-1 (glucagonlike peptide one), to manage hunger and slow stomach emptying.

For diabetics, it lowers blood-sugar levels. It also subdues the imp of appetite. The pounds fly off. That's why Allison, who is not diabetic, prediabetic, or even overweight, is on it. Doctors have wide latitude to prescribe drugs off label for anyone they think may medically benefit, and many patients have found doctors-or, failing that, nurse practitioners or medi-spas-ready to certify that they would. Or some, like Allison, find it through a peddler not particular about a prescription or in the web's dark morass.

"Should anyone SUDDENLY APPEAR SVELTE, I just ASSUME IT'S OZEMPIC. However, if they elaborate unprompted on their new diet, THEN I KNOW IT'S OZEMPIC."

This story is from the February 27 - March 12, 2023 edition of New York magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 27 - March 12, 2023 edition of New York magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEW YORK MAGAZINEView All
Good One: Ramy Youssef
New York magazine

Good One: Ramy Youssef

The comedian on the first Israel-Palestine joke he wrote after 10/7.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 25 - April 07, 2024
Not Your Average Heartthrob
New York magazine

Not Your Average Heartthrob

Nicholas Galitzine can play himbo, Prince Charming, and Gen-Z queer iconsometimes all at once. Now, he's coming

time-read
8 mins  |
March 25 - April 07, 2024
Northern Mexico, Just Below Canal
New York magazine

Northern Mexico, Just Below Canal

Corima has potential-and excellent tortillas

time-read
3 mins  |
March 25 - April 07, 2024
A Tree House for Two Architects
New York magazine

A Tree House for Two Architects

Phu Hoang and Rachely Rotem built the indoor-outdoor \"Mini Tower One\" extension of their Carroll Gardens home.

time-read
1 min  |
March 25 - April 07, 2024
THE ERIC ADAMS SMASH - AND - GRAB
New York magazine

THE ERIC ADAMS SMASH - AND - GRAB

It's a brazenly transactional era of government here in New York City.| FRANK CARONE is its master practitioner.

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 25 - April 07, 2024
JEFF ZUCKER'S FLEET STREET MISADVENTURE
New York magazine

JEFF ZUCKER'S FLEET STREET MISADVENTURE

The former CNN and NBC boss wants a new media empire. Is that even possible in 2024?

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 25 - April 07, 2024
MECHANISMS of CONTROL
New York magazine

MECHANISMS of CONTROL

Andrew Huberman has attracted millions of acolytes by preaching self-discipline and healthy lifestyle habits. But those closest to him suggest there is a darker side to his appeal.

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 25 - April 07, 2024
Streetscape: Mark Jacobson
New York magazine

Streetscape: Mark Jacobson

Charging Ahead Baruch Herzfeld wants to end the rash of e-bike battery fires.

time-read
5 mins  |
March 25 - April 07, 2024
461 MINUTES WITH...Hanif Abdurraqib
New York magazine

461 MINUTES WITH...Hanif Abdurraqib

The MacArthur-grant winner's unclassifiable new book is as idiosyncratic as the author himself.

time-read
6 mins  |
March 25 - April 07, 2024
Neighborhood News: The 'SNL' Guys' Ferry Isn't Adrift
New York magazine

Neighborhood News: The 'SNL' Guys' Ferry Isn't Adrift

Colin Jost and Pete Davidson's architect has a real plan.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 25 - April 07, 2024