GLP-1 medications have become one of the fastest-growing social media trends, as demand continues to increase. According to BevSource, “GLP-1 drugs mimic the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1. This hormone triggers the release of insulin from the pancreas, reducing blood sugar levels. It also blocks glucagon — a hormone that raises blood sugar levels — and slows digestion, helping your body release less glucose, or sugar, into your blood. More specifically, GLP-1 is an appetite suppressant that makes people feel fuller faster. In conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, GLP-1 drugs can help people lose weight. They also offer other potential health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease.” As there has been significant use of GLP products, the market has significantly grown. As AMA News Wire noted, “from 2018 to 2023, spending on GLP-1s rose by more than 500%, from $13.7 billion to $71.7 billion, with the amounts being adjusted to 2023 dollars. Yet not all GLP-1s grew alike. Of the medications with indications for type 2 diabetes, spending on Ozempic (semaglutide) grew the most, rising from $410 million in 2018 to $26.42 billion by 2023. Monjaro also saw rapid spending growth after it was first indicated for type 2 diabetes in 2022, when patients and payers shelled out $2.51 billion. By 2023, that rose to $12.42 billion.” Abraham Cho, a 12th-grade student at Corona del Mar High School, discussed how “I have seen countless examples online of the life-changing improvements these medications have been able to provide for people. However, as all of this is relatively new, I still have skepticism regarding the long-term implications.” GLP-1 usage growth has been aggressive, “with prescriptions rising sevenfold from 1 million in 2019 to over 8 million in 2024, and further massive expansion projected through 2025. Usage is expected to continue climbing steeply, driven by adoption for weight loss, with projections indicating potential users could reach up to 50 million in the U.S. by 2030,” as KFF Health notes.