GLP-1 Agonists: Separating Fact from Fiction with Sean Wharton, MD, PharmD, Part 1| Ep501

Are GLP-1 medications truly revolutionizing medicine—or are we just seeing the latest healthcare hype cycle?

In this part 1 of 2- part episode of Succeed In Medicine Podcast, Dr. Bradley Block sits down with Dr. Sean Wharton, to explore the real story behind GLP-1 agonists, how they were discovered, how they work, and why they suddenly became cultural blockbusters. Dr. Wharton explains that while the public sees these drugs as new, clinicians in diabetes care have been using them for over a decade. Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 medications revealed an unexpected benefit: meaningful weight loss. What began as a “sleeper drug” for glucose control became a global phenomenon once their impact on appetite and cravings was understood.

A major theme of the discussion is the concept of “food noise”—the relentless mental pull toward food that many patients experience. Dr. Wharton describes how this biological drive makes long-term weight loss extraordinarily difficult and why willpower alone is rarely enough. GLP-1 medications work by quieting this food noise, helping patients regain control over their eating behaviors.

The conversation also tackles tough questions clinicians and patients ask every day:

• Why do people need to stay on these medications long-term? 
• Why do patients with diabetes lose less weight than those without? 
• Is obesity truly a disease, and how should doctors talk about it? 
• Are the benefits due to the drug itself or simply the weight loss? 

Dr. Wharton breaks down the biology of GLP-1 hormones, their role in insulin regulation and appetite control, and why these drugs have been such rare “unicorns” in medicine, highly effective with relatively few side effects.

This episode sets the stage for Part 2, where they will dive deeper into myths, side effects, and practical prescribing guidance.

Three Actionable Takeaways

• Obesity Is a Biological Disease, Not a Willpower Problem: Food noise and cravings are driven by hormones and brain chemistry. GLP-1 medications treat these biological mechanisms, not a character flaw.
• Long-Term Treatment Is Often Necessary: Just like medications for blood pressure or cholesterol, GLP-1 drugs address a chronic condition. Stopping treatment usually means the underlying biology—and weight—returns.
• Language Matters in Patient Care: Clinicians should approach weight with empathy and humility. Inviting patients into a respectful conversation about options is far more effective than blaming or shaming.

About the Show:

Succeed In Medicine covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!

About the Guest:

Dr. Sean Wharton holds doctorates in Pharmacy and Medicine from the University of Toronto. He is the Director of the Wharton Medical Clinic, a community-based weight management and diabetes clinic, and serves as Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and Adjunct Professor at McMaster and York Universities.

Dr. Wharton is the lead author of the 2020 Canadian Obesity Guidelines, recognized worldwide, and has published extensively in major medical journals including the New England Journal of Medicine. He is a passionate advocate for health equity and improving the way obesity is understood and treated in healthcare.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drseanwharton

Website: whartonmedicalclinic.com

About the Host:

Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinu