Beyond Weight Loss: GLP-1s and Their Impact on Emotional Wellbeing
- Megan Korthals
- Sep 2
- 4 min read
This week, I had the opportunity to join a webinar led by Dr. Kim Dennis, a psychiatrist and eating disorder specialist, on the clinical implications of GLP-1 medications. These medications have been getting a lot of attention lately—and not without reason. In my own practice, I’m seeing more clients taking GLP-1s, many reporting positive changes like reduced inflammation and improved health.
At the same time, I hold a strong belief, shaped by both research and clinical experience, that restriction in any form—whether food, money, or other basic resources—works against healing. Neurobiologically, restriction signals the brain and body to enter survival mode, which dysregulates the nervous system and makes true healing nearly impossible.
This creates an important tension: what happens when a medication like a GLP-1 reduces appetite (which can feel restrictive) while also offering benefits for overall health? For those of us focused on emotional wellbeing, trauma recovery, and the eating patterns that often develop alongside trauma, these are not simple questions.
At New Rhythms, we want to approach them with curiosity and care—because the answers matter for both the clients we serve and the prescribers we partner with. Dr. Dennis’ webinar provided a valuable framework for doing just that, offering thoughtful insights into where GLP-1s may help, where they may pose risks, and what to watch closely moving forward.
Here are the key takeaways I found most relevant for our community—both for individuals considering or already taking GLP-1 medications, and for providers walking alongside them in treatment.
Key Insights — What Stood Out
One of the most surprising themes from the webinar was how much curiosity there is around GLP-1 medications—and yet, how little conversational acknowledgment happens, especially among eating disorder professionals. This silence is concerning, given that only a small percentage (fewer than 6%) of individuals with eating disorders are medically underweight. In fact, most people presenting for GLP-1 prescriptions may already have disordered eating patterns—unrecognized or untreated—simply because the stereotype of “what an eating disorder looks like” is still so narrow.
In my practice, for instance, I’ve worked with many clients who are exploring GLP-1s and also navigating concerns like binge eating, emotional eating, or rigid control around food. This overlap isn’t rare: studies suggest that among individuals with Type 2 diabetes, about 7–20% exhibit binge eating behaviors, and roughly 8% receive a clinical diagnosis of binge eating disorder On the flip side, among people with BED, approximately one-third have Type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 users are likely walking through a complex clinical overlap more often than we imagine.
Another key insight centered on the medical benefits of these medications—particularly in terms of inflammation. GLP-1s are showing promise not only for appetite regulation or glucose control but also for reducing systemic inflammation, which is especially meaningful for individuals with trauma histories who often carry elevated markers of inflammation and autoimmunity. This pain point is deeply familiar in trauma-informed care: when our bodies feel safe again, the mind follows, and lower inflammation can translate into better emotional and neurological regulation.
But there’s an inherent tension here. On one hand, these medications offer tangible physiological support—on the other, they suppress appetite in ways that could echo the restrictive behaviors we work so hard to dismantle in recovery. We know from neurobiology that any form of restriction (whether it’s around food, money, or emotional expression) activates a survival response in the brain. When we’re in survival mode, our nervous systems go into dysregulation—not healing. That tension between physical benefit and psychological risk is exactly why GLP-1s can’t be approached lightly in this space.
From Dr. Dennis’s presentation, we heard about a potentially “ideal candidate” for GLP-1s in the context of BED—this medication might be appropriate for a person whose eating pathology is predominantly binge eating, who is in stable recovery, has an FDA indication for the use, is not malnourished, and whose care plan includes frequent, close monitoring. That last bit—watchful collaborative care—is non-negotiable.
In a nutshell, the session reminded us of the need for a full-bodied, compassionate conversation. GLP-1 medications hold promise for many, but they also carry real neurobiological and psychosocial risks—especially in trauma-related or disordered eating contexts. It’s not about saying yes or no; it’s about understanding how, why, and when these medications might support emotional wellbeing and trauma healing—and always anchoring clinical decisions in a person’s story, not just their lab values.
Moving the Conversation Forward
At New Rhythms, we know these questions don’t have easy answers. What we do know is that no one should have to navigate them alone. That’s why we’ve created our Body Wellness Group, a biweekly space designed specifically for people who are using GLP-1 medications or working with a physician around weight management. In this group, we focus on supporting clients as they learn to care for their bodies in an intentional, intuitive way—rather than falling into restrictive patterns. For prescribers, this group can also be a valuable partner: we handle much of the close monitoring that experts recommend, so your patients have both medical and therapeutic support in place.
We also believe that collaboration starts with shared understanding. Our team is available to provide trauma-informed and eating disorder-informed trainings for prescribers and their staff. These trainings equip medical teams with practical tools to screen for disordered eating, recognize red flags, and support patients in ways that honor both their physical and emotional health.
Whether you’re a client curious about joining a supportive group, or a provider seeking to expand your care approach, we’d love to connect. Together, we can keep this conversation going and ensure that GLP-1s are used in ways that truly promote healing—not just symptom control.
Resources
Join our Body Wellness Group here.
Want NRTC to train your organization? Contact us at info@newrhythmstherapy.com
References
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