Over the last year, there’s been an explosion of interest in GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro. But not everyone is using them for weight loss, and not everyone is taking the standard dose. A growing number of medical professionals, holistic health experts, and everyday women are turning to an off-label strategy called GLP-1 microdosing. So what is it? Why are women, particularly those in midlife, so drawn to this trend? And is it safe?
Let’s break it all down, starting with what GLP-1 microdosing is and how people are using it.
What Is GLP-1 Microdosing?
GLP-1 microdosing involves taking a fraction of the typical starting dose of medications like semaglutide (Ozempic) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro). Instead of focusing on weight loss, the aim is to:
- Calm inflammation
- Clear brain fog
- Reduce cravings (aka “food noise”)
- Support mental and emotional clarity
Who’s Talking About It?
The conversation around GLP-1 microdosing isn’t limited to biohackers or influencers. It’s being explored by a diverse group of professionals and patients:
- Dr. Tyna Moore, a naturopathic doctor, uses it to address inflammation and chronic pain.
- Dr. Kevin Joseph, an internal medicine physician, lost over 140 pounds and now teaches dosing protocols.
- Dr. Jennifer Roelands and Dr. Susan Hardwick-Smith talk about its use for perimenopausal and menopausal women.
- Kim Constable, a fitness entrepreneur, reports it cleared her menopausal brain fog and compulsive cravings.
Even mainstream platforms like the TODAY show have been covering this trend.
Why Women Are Turning to Microdosing (It’s Not About the Scale)
Let’s be clear: microdosing isn’t a weight loss magic wand. In fact, many of the experts warn it’s not effective for major weight loss unless you’re already metabolically healthy. Instead, here are the real reasons women are interested:
1. Clearing Brain Fog
Whether it’s from menopause, autoimmune issues, or post-COVID fatigue, many women feel like they’re living in a mental haze. Microdosing is reported to offer fast improvements:
“My mental clarity went through the roof. I felt superhuman.” — Kim Constable
“My anxiety left my body within hours.”—Dr. Tyna Moore
2. Curbing Cravings and Addictions
Many women describe feeling finally free from obsessive food thoughts or compulsive habits like late-night snacking, online shopping, or drinking.
“It’s like self-discipline in a syringe.” —Dr. Ben Bikman
“I lost the urge to drink wine or even snack mindlessly.”—Kim Constable
3. Reducing Inflammation and Pain
Chronic inflammation drives many silent health issues, from brain fog to arthritis. Experts like Dr. Moore and Dr. Hardwick-Smith are using GLP-1 microdosing to treat:
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Gluteal tendinopathy
- Chronic joint pain
“My pain disappeared, my mobility returned, and my skin cleared.”—Dr. Tyna Moore
4. Improving Metabolic Health
Even women eating “clean” and exercising can hit stubborn plateaus due to insulin resistance or hormonal changes. Microdosing supposedly offers an added layer of metabolic support.
“It’s not for people doing nothing. It’s for women already doing everything and still stuck.”—Dr. Moore
Respectfully, though, I do doubt that those women are doing everything. I doubt they have gone exclusively to plants with the guidance of a Nationally Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach who is trained on brain and metabolic health. A lot of the benefits they are looking for can be found in my Brain Health Breakthrough Coaching Program and the cost is a fraction of what they will invest plus you learn lifelong skills to be truly healthy and not dependent on drugs.
5. Cost-Effective Access
High-dose GLP-1 meds can run $1,000+ per month. Microdosing drastically lowers the cost, some women are paying $30–$300/month by using compounding pharmacies.
Note: There is concern surrounding compounding pharmacies which stems primarily from a lack of regulatory oversight compared to standard pharmaceutical manufacturing. While these pharmacies provide essential services during drug shortages or for custom dosing, critics and regulatory bodies highlight significant risks regarding safety, sterility, and potency.
Let’s Explore This More On Why Folks Are Concerned:
1. Lack of FDA Approval and Oversight
- Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved.
- They are exempt from key federal manufacturing standards.
- The FDA does not inspect these pharmacies regularly.
2. Potency and Dosing Errors
- Compounded medications can vary widely in potency.
- Dosing miscalculations can lead to overdoses and severe side effects.
3. Sterility and Contamination
- There have been serious contamination outbreaks (e.g., 2012 meningitis case).
- Lower standards for injectable sterility increase infection risk.
4. Unverified Ingredients
- Some use semaglutide salts (e.g., acetate, sodium) instead of the FDA-approved base.
- Gray-market sourcing is a major safety issue.
Note: The “gray market” refers to the unregulated sale of GLP-1 substances by online vendors, “bro-science” influencers, and websites marketing these drugs as “research peptides” to bypass legal and medical oversight.
5. Lack of Standardized Labeling and Reporting
- No standardized warning labels or side effect reporting.
Counterpoint: Some argue Big Pharma fuels fear about compounding to protect profits. Reputable 503B compounding facilities do exist and follow higher safety standards. Drama drama drama in the industry 😃
The Science Behind the Purported Benefits
1. Brain and Mood Support
- GLP-1 receptors exist in the brain; they modulate inflammation and dopamine.
- Microdosing helps clear fog, improve memory, and reduce anxiety.
- It’s being studied for Alzheimer’s and mood disorders (EVOKE trial).
I actually decided to do a deep dive into the literature on this. GLP-1 receptor agonists improve cognition primarily in patients with comorbid type 2 diabetes but show no cognitive benefit in non-diabetic adults with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s disease, and mood effects are inadequately studied. There is a major research gap. GLP-1 receptor agonists’ effects on mood in people with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s are largely unstudied, despite their known impact on brain reward pathways and the high prevalence of depression and anxiety in these populations. It is worth noting, though, that I address all of these issues through nutrition and lifestyle in my Brain Health Breakthrough Coaching Program without the need for injections.
2. Systemic Anti-Inflammatory Effects
- These peptides reduce inflammatory markers like CRP.
- They may aid autoimmune conditions like lupus, Hashimoto’s, and RA.
It is worth noting that raw foods have helped people reverse lupus and stay in remission, alongside other autoimmune issues. I interviewed Dr. Brooke Goldner about this, as this is the work she does. She has also written books on the how and her case studies.
3. Safer Glucose Control
- Unlike older drugs, GLP-1s only release insulin when blood sugar is high.
- They lower the risk of hypoglycemia and support stable energy.
4. Reward Pathway Reset
- By dampening the dopamine spikes from food or substances, they help quiet addiction-like behaviors.
- This mechanism is also why some users report less joy or interest in previously pleasurable activities (anhedonia).
Research shows serious concerns about long-term mental health risks from GLP-1 medications, based on a large five‑year study of more than 162,000 people with obesity published in Scientific Reports (Kornelius et al., 2024). Compared to those not using GLP-1s, users were almost three times more likely to develop major depression, and more than twice as likely to experience anxiety or have suicidal thoughts or attempts. The risk wasn’t immediate; it grew over time, suggesting these effects may build up the longer someone stays on the medication. The study also found that higher doses meant higher risk, with the strongest version (Wegovy) linked to the most psychiatric issues. Certain groups were especially vulnerable: women were over three times more likely to develop depression, younger adults faced a higher risk of suicidal behavior, and Black patients were more likely to develop anxiety. Researchers think this may be because GLP-1s affect brain chemicals related to mood and motivation, potentially leading to symptoms like emotional numbness or lack of joy. While the study has some limitations, like relying on medical codes instead of in-depth mental health evaluations, it shows a clear need to monitor mood and mental health closely for anyone using these medications long-term, especially at higher doses.
5. Potential Muscle Regeneration
- When paired with strength training, microdosing may support muscle health by improving blood flow to tissues. A plant-exclusive whole food diet also improves blood flow. Watch the documentary The Game Changers.
Risks and Misconceptions You Should Know
GLP-1 microdosing is off-label, unregulated, and not risk-free.
Common Misconceptions:
- “Microdosing will help me lose 30 pounds.” —False. It won’t if you’re not already eating clean and lifting weights. Honestly, you can accomplish this without the injections.
- “Splitting a full dose means I’m microdosing.” —Nope. That’s still a full dose; you’re just spreading it out.
Potential Risks:
- Anhedonia: Doses that dull cravings may also dull joy.
- Dosing Mistakes: The drugs build up in your body over time. Without careful spacing, you could accidentally reach full dosing levels.
- Medication Interactions: GLP-1s slow gastric emptying, affecting the absorption of medications like birth control and Synthroid.
- Muscle Loss: Without strength training and fiber-rich, nutrient-dense protein, you risk losing lean mass, especially if you undereat.
- Thyroid and Gallbladder Concerns: There is a black-box warning for thyroid cancer in animals, and rapid weight loss can cause gallstones.
“It’s like driving a high-performance sports car without lessons. You might crash if you don’t understand the engine.” —Dr. Kevin Joseph
“It’s much easier to lose weight by eating high raw and practicing self-care” — Samantha Salmon, NBC-HWC
Why Coaching and Raw Foods Outperform Microdosing
If you’re a woman who is struggling to eat well, to exercise consistently, or to break free from brain fog, inflammation, or processed food addiction, you don’t need GLP-1 microdosing. You need coaching.
This is where my Brain Health Breakthrough Coaching Program comes in.
If you feel like you’ve “tried everything,” I promise you haven’t fully committed to a raw or high-raw lifestyle free of processed foods. Some people say they eat raw, but still sneak in processed snacks here and there. And from personal experience, I can tell you, even small amounts make a big difference. For some of us, even a little bit of processed food brings back inflammation, joint pain, and brain fog.
It’s not that your body needs a pharmaceutical drug; it needs real food, the kind God put here for us. The problem is, we live in a toxic food environment full of hyper-palatable, engineered foods designed to keep us addicted. And with the stress of post-pandemic life, a struggling economy, and the current political climate, the urge to self-soothe with comfort food is real.
But let’s be clear: the benefits people claim to get from GLP-1 microdosing, less inflammation, fewer cravings, more clarity, are the same benefits you can get through a raw food lifestyle, proper mindset support, and consistent self-care.
You don’t need to stay tethered to the medical system or dependent on pharmaceutical drugs that can have crazy price increases at any moment. You can reclaim your health and your agency.
Here’s what I teach my clients to do, without injections:
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Partner with someone who helps you get to the root (hi 👋🏾)
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Nourish your body with raw, enzyme-rich, nutrient-rich foods we were designed to eat to nourish the cells of our bodies
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Strength train to support your longevity and mobility
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Track key labs like CRP and hemoglobin A1c for clarity, not fear
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Build a self-care practice that supports your mental and spiritual health
“You still have to do the work. The drug won’t cook your meals or lift your weights.” — Dr. Tyna Moore
And honestly, if you can get all of those benefits without the drug, why wouldn’t you?
References
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