Why eating pleasure matters: 

Dopamine, serotonin and the downside of GLP-1 diet drugs

There is growing interest in a new generation of GLP-1 weight loss medications. These injections, originally designed for managing type 2 diabetes, are now widely prescribed as appetite-suppressing drugs for people who want to lose weight. Their effect on hunger is often described as dramatic, and for some, the weight loss that follows feels like a breakthrough.

What is discussed far less is the emotional and neurological impact of losing your appetite so completely. Many people start to notice that food brings them little to no enjoyment. Some find it actively unpleasant. Over time, the loss of food pleasure can become a wider emotional flatness that affects mood, motivation and even relationships. These issues are just as important as the number on the scale.

Why food pleasure is part of a healthy brain

Dopamine is the brain chemical linked to motivation and reward. Serotonin helps regulate mood and a sense of wellbeing. Eating, especially when enjoyable and balanced, helps support both of these brain chemicals.

We are not supposed to be indifferent to food. Enjoying meals is part of the natural rhythm of life. Food marks our days, creates moments of pause and connection, and helps us regulate emotionally. It is also one of the fastest ways to stimulate dopamine and serotonin, especially in people who may not have many other sources of pleasure in their lives.

When food stops being enjoyable

Many people using GLP-1 injections report that they simply do not care about food anymore. Some feel sick at the thought of eating. Others find that foods they used to love are now repulsive or tasteless. At first, this may feel like a win. No cravings, no desire to snack, no mental conflict.

But the longer it goes on, the more troubling it can become. For some, food aversion leads to emotional flatness. The brain no longer gets regular stimulation from meals, and nothing seems to replace it. This can lead to a state called anhedonia, which means the loss of pleasure or interest in things that once felt good.

This can feel like depression. People describe feeling low, joyless or disconnected from life.

This happens outside of medication too

I have also seen this pattern in people who are not on medication but who give up highly processed foods. These foods tend to be extremely stimulating to the brain; they are called “hedonic” foods. They deliver a quick and powerful dopamine hit. When someone suddenly removes them, especially if they are used to eating them every day, there can be a phase of withdrawal. Mood can dip. Energy may feel flat. Food seems dull or uninteresting.

This is not because the person is doing something wrong. It is part of how the brain adapts to a new, less stimulating environment. Over time, with the right support, natural pleasure starts to return. It becomes easier to enjoy simple meals, notice subtle flavours, and find joy in other areas of life.

We are meant to enjoy food

Pleasure from food is not a weakness. It is one of the oldest and most reliable ways we regulate ourselves physically and emotionally. Losing that pleasure can feel unsettling. It can affect how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we move through the day.

For anyone using GLP-1 injections or giving up processed foods, it is important to know that a period of emotional flatness is not uncommon. It is not a failure or a flaw. In many cases, the brain is simply adjusting. With the right tools, support and strategies, balance can be restored.

Rebuilding food pleasure safely

If you have found that food no longer brings you joy, or you feel emotionally flat after changing your eating habits, you are not alone. I help clients rebuild a natural relationship with food that supports their emotional and physical health. This includes understanding the role of dopamine and serotonin, creating new sources of reward in daily life, and restoring a healthy rhythm of eating and enjoyment.

Weight loss does not have to come at the cost of joy. It is possible to feel calm around food, well-fed, emotionally balanced and confident again.