Is GLP-1 TikTok Helping Us... or Hurting Us?

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For many of us, GLP-1 TikTok feels like home.

It’s where we find people who understand food noise, celebrate milestones, share practical tips, and remind us that we’re not alone.

But it’s also where one person’s experience can start to sound like everyone’s experience. It’s where misinformation and oversimplified advice can spread quickly. And it’s where an endless stream of transformation stories and dramatic before-and-after photos may lead people to judge their own progress against the most exceptional responders instead of their own health.

Many obesity clinicians say they’re increasingly seeing patients question whether treatment is working, not because it isn’t, but because social media has changed what “success” is supposed to look like.

So what’s the net effect?

Is GLP-1 TikTok one of the most powerful sources of peer support in obesity care... or is it quietly creating unrealistic expectations that make the journey harder?

On Tuesday, July 8 at 7:00 p.m. ET, Zach and I will be joined by Dr. Danna Kashlan, whose research presented at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions examined who is shaping the GLP-1 conversation on TikTok, including who creates the most influential content, the messages being shared, and how often highly engaged posts contain misleading information. Joining her is Dr. Lindsey Ogle, an obesity medicine physician who works with patients every day and has a particular interest in how social media shapes expectations, fuels comparison, and influences the treatment journey long after patients leave the exam room.

Together, we’ll explore the promise and the pitfalls of GLP-1 TikTok: the power of peer support, the comparison trap, the responsibility that comes with sharing our stories, and how patients and clinicians can build healthier online communities.

Before we go live, I’d love to hear from you:

Has GLP-1 TikTok made your journey better, worse, or a little of both?

Weight & Measure is a podcast hosted by Mike Donnelly-Boylen and Zachary Niemiec that brings together leading clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates for thoughtful conversations about obesity, nutrition, metabolic health, and the policies shaping care. Our goal is to make evidence-based medicine understandable, relevant, and accessible without sacrificing scientific accuracy.