Trump, RFK, Weight Loss Drugs and Antipsychotics
In today's news, President Trump and RFK Jr appear to be taking on Big Pharma, and a few groups/classes of drugs that are widely taken, and widely accepted by the FDA and the medical community as "safe". Are they actually SAFE?
From ABCNews this morning (2/20/25):
Shortly after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, President Donald Trump issued an executive order calling for a team to study the use of antidepressants, antipsychotics and obesity medications in children, claiming these medications may cause a "threat" to adolescents.
Among the goals of the commission is to "assess the prevalence of and threat posed by the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and weight-loss drugs."
Kennedy has been critical of these medications in the past, falsely linking the use of antidepressants to school shootings.
Let's look at this in further detail.
Medications such as antipsychotics and weight loss drugs, including GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), are often marketed as revolutionary treatments for mental health and obesity. However, growing research suggests that these drugs come with significant health risks, including severe side effects, nutrient depletion, metabolic dysfunction, and even addiction-like dependence. Despite their widespread prescription, these medications negatively impact hormone function, metabolism, and mental and physical health in adolescents and aging populations.
While these medications may provide short-term symptom relief, their long-term consequences are often overlooked.
- Antipsychotics: Used to treat conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, antipsychotic drugs alter dopamine and serotonin levels, which can lead to significant metabolic disturbances. These include insulin resistance, increased fat accumulation, and heightened risk for type 2 diabetes (Vancampfort et al., 2021). Additionally, these drugs deplete essential nutrients such as B vitamins, which are crucial for energy metabolism and neurological function.
- GLP-1RAs (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy): Originally developed for diabetes management, these drugs are now widely used for weight loss. While they reduce appetite, they also increase the risk of severe gastrointestinal disorders, drug-induced pancreatitis, and gallbladder disease (Mahase, 2025). The suppression of appetite can lead to malnourishment, further exacerbating metabolic and hormonal imbalances.
What About The Impact on Hormones and Metabolism
Both antipsychotics and weight loss drugs disrupt key hormonal pathways:
- Thyroid Dysfunction: Some antipsychotics suppress thyroid hormone production, leading to hypothyroidism, which slows metabolism and contributes to weight gain and fatigue (Howes et al., 2020).
- Cortisol Dysregulation: These drugs can cause chronic stress on the adrenal glands, leading to dysregulated cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol is linked to increased abdominal fat storage, insulin resistance, and mood instability (Pillinger et al., 2020).
- Leptin and Ghrelin Disruption: GLP-1RAs interfere with hunger-regulating hormones, often causing long-term appetite suppression that can lead to nutrient deficiencies and muscle loss, further impairing metabolism (Sainsbury et al., 2022).
Are These Truly Drugs Safe for Adolescents?
The increasing prescription of these drugs to teenagers raises serious concerns. Adolescence is a critical period for brain development, and interfering with neurotransmitter function can lead to long-term cognitive impairments and emotional instability. Studies have found that antipsychotics may cause significant brain volume reduction over time, affecting memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation (Vancampfort et al., 2021).
Additionally, weight loss drugs can severely impact nutrient absorption, leading to deficiencies that hinder growth, hormone balance, and mental health in young users. This is particularly concerning given the rising trend of prescribing GLP-1RAs for adolescent obesity without long-term safety data (Mahase, 2025).
Effects on Aging and Longevity
Older adults using these medications face heightened risks, as aging bodies are less able to compensate for metabolic disruptions.
- Increased Risk of Sarcopenia: The appetite suppression from GLP-1RAs can accelerate muscle wasting, which is already a concern in aging populations (Sainsbury et al., 2022).
- Cognitive Decline: Long-term use of antipsychotics has been linked to an increased risk of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases due to their impact on brain plasticity and neurotransmitter function (Howes et al., 2020).
- Cardiovascular Risks: Both drug classes have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and blood pressure abnormalities in older adults, further compromising longevity and quality of life (Pillinger et al., 2020).
The Need for Safer, Sustainable Alternatives
Rather than relying on pharmaceutical interventions with severe long-term consequences, addressing metabolic and mental health concerns through holistic approaches is essential. This includes:
- Nutritional therapy focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods.
- Physical activity tailored to improve insulin sensitivity and mental well-being.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other non-pharmaceutical interventions for mental health disorders.
- Metabolic health education to prevent the need for extreme weight loss drugs in the first place.
The widespread prescription of these medications should not overshadow their risks. Patients and healthcare providers must critically evaluate their long-term impact and consider safer, evidence-based alternatives for managing mental and metabolic health.
Ultimately, when looking at optimal health through the eyes of how God designed us, we should engage in things that align us back with Him, returning to the idea of Shalom (wholeness, fullness, peace, and connectedness with God, holistically speaking)
References
Howes, O. D., McCutcheon, R., Agid, O., de Bartolomeis, A., van Beveren, N. J., Birnbaum, M. L., ... & Correll, C. U. (2020). Treatment-resistant schizophrenia: Treatment response and resistance in psychosis (TRRIP): Working group consensus guidelines on diagnosis and terminology. American Journal of Psychiatry, 177(3), 230-238. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19050547
Mahase, E. (2025). GLP-1 weight loss drugs could help people with impulse control and addiction disorders, say researchers. BMJ, 388, r123. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.r123
Pillinger, T., McCutcheon, R. A., Vano, L., Mizuno, Y., Arumuham, A., Hindley, G., & Howes, O. D. (2020). Comparative effects of 18 antipsychotics on metabolic function in patients with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(1), 64-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30299-7
Sainsbury, A., Zhang, L., & Zhang, H. (2022). Role of the brain in energy balance, appetite control, and weight regulation: Lessons from obesity and weight loss. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 543, 111565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2021.111565
Vancampfort, D., Firth, J., Schuch, F. B., Rosenbaum, S., Mugisha, J., Hallgren, M., ... & Stubbs, B. (2021). Physical activity and sedentary behavior in people with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 78(3), 345-356. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.2493
