WendyG_ATL said:

The thing that changed for me was not hunger, it was that the constant background negotiation about food simply stopped, and I had not realised it was…

Phantom hunger vs real hunger on food noise: learning to distinguish between the two has been a revelation. Real hunger: gradual onset, physical stomach sensation, any food sounds good. Phantom hunger: sudden, emotionally triggered, specific food cravings, occurs right after eating.

The GLP-1 agonist suppresses real hunger beautifully. Phantom hunger still pops up but I can now recognize it for what it is — an emotional signal, not a physical need. Mindfulness training helped enormously with this distinction.

PharmacoVig_BOS said:

Phantom hunger vs real hunger on food noise: learning to distinguish between the two has been a revelation.

Neuroscience perspective on food noise:

GLP-1 receptors are expressed throughout the CNS, with high density in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, area postrema, and — critically — the mesolimbic reward pathway[1].

This is directly relevant to food noise because the central effects of GLP-1 agonists extend far beyond simple appetite suppression. The reduction in "food noise" that patients describe is likely mediated by modulation of dopaminergic signaling in the VTA and nucleus accumbens.

The emerging data on reduced addictive behaviors (alcohol, gambling) further supports this mechanism. food noise should be understood in this broader neurobiological context.

WendyG_ATL said:

The thing that changed for me was not hunger, it was that the constant background negotiation about food simply stopped, and I had not realised it was…

This matches mine closely enough to be worth saying so out loud. I had assumed I was the exception until I read this.

Clinical perspective, offered as context rather than as advice.

"Food aversion" side effect of food noise that I wasn't prepared for: I used to LOVE cooking and trying new restaurants. Now certain foods — especially sweets — literally repulse me.

It's not just reduced appetite; it's an active disgust response. My therapist says this is common and likely related to the reward pathway modulation. It's mostly a positive change, but I do miss enjoying food the way I used to.