Certain diabetes medications have received significant public attention in recent years, with discussions around their off-label use making waves in the media. Public interest in these medications has also been widespread, with many celebrities sharing their personal experiences, including Kathy Bates, Amy Schumer, Sharon Osbourne, and James Cordon.

The key element to these medications and the reason behind their success is their ability to turn off ‘food noise’ by the ingredient semaglutide which can induce feelings of fullness. Simply put, when food noise, or constant thinking about food even when you’re not hungry is turned off or down- the less food you consume.

Despite the rising buzz and interest around weight loss medications, their actual usage has not increased over the past 12 months in Australia. According to the Body+Soul Health of the Nation survey, one in five Australian dieters have asked their GP about weight loss drugs this year – down slightly from 21 per cent in 2024.

While there’s no arguing that for many people who use weight-loss medications have experienced a reduction of food noise, contributing to weight loss, some experts warn that being fixated with food noise – either hearing it all the time (and acting upon it) or wanting to silence it altogether –can be harmful in the long run.

Clinical psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Canberra, Dr Vivienne Lewis, who specialises in body image and eating disorders says that when we become obsessed with any one line of thought (in this case, food), we can become consumed by it.

“This can be very distressing,” she wrote in an article for The Conversation. She believes that drugs like Ozempic don’t always help the root of the problem, rather, they often mask it which can exacerbate the issue.

“When the drug Ozempic came out it was partly marked as a drug that stops ‘food noise’… This, as you would imagine, was a great marketing tool for getting people to take the drug,” she tells Body+Soul.

Unfortunately, opting to silence or reduce food noise isn’t always beneficial Lewis says because it doesn’t always work that way for everyone.

Comedian, James Cordon is one celebrity who publicly said that this was why he stopped using the drug.

"I tried Ozempic, and it won’t be surprising to you when you look at me now, that it didn’t really work,” Corden said. “I tried it for a bit and then what I realised was I was like, ‘Oh no, nothing about my eating has anything to do with being hungry.’ All this does is make you feel not hungry."

The second issue with off-label usage of weight-loss drugs is that as soon as you stop taking it, the food noise comes back (and in many cases so does the weight).

But perhaps most significantly, any fixation on food noise – acting upon it, or using medication to silence it – can be a sign of a deeper issue.

“Many people who suffer from binge eating disorders and those trying to stop eating, want to not think about food all the time,“ Lewis says. “If we are dieting, undereating, restricting our intake of food or overeating, we can be consumed by thoughts about food.”

So, rather than turn to weight loss medication or quick fixes, Lewis says that it can be more helpful in some cases to establish a healthy relationship with food. Here’s how.

Step 1: Assess where do my beliefs about eating come from? 

“To address these feelings, it can be helpful to ask where these beliefs come from,” Lewis says. “Reflecting on societal influences, family messages, and personal experiences can offer insight into how these emotions developed and how to foster a healthier relationship with food.”

Have a think about what you tell yourself about your body and you’re eating, and whose voice that is? How does it make you feel, and do you want to continue to feel that way? What sort of relationship would you like with your body and you’re eating?

Step 2. Challenge and change your beliefs

You can do this by identifying unhelpful beliefs, avoiding labelling food good or bad, listening to your body’s needs and cues for hunger and fullness, addressing emotional eating and creating a positive eating environment.

Step 3: The Importance of Self-Compassion in eliminating food guilt 

“Alleviating food guilt is a process that requires self-awareness, compassion, and a commitment to redefining your relationship with food,” Lewis says.

“By challenging negative beliefs, practising mindful eating, and embracing the joy of food, you can cultivate a more positive mindset around eating. Remember that food is not just sustenance; it is also a source of pleasure, connection, and joy. Embracing this perspective can lead to a healthier, happier life, free from the burden of guilt.”