N※N

Andy Cohen Opens Up About Weight Loss, Microdosing a GLP-1 and His Fitness Journey

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. microdosing-a-glp-1-and-his-fitness-journey.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 15:04 GMT by Today
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Andy Cohen’s Weight‑Loss Experiment: How Microdosing GLP‑1 Is Turning Heads

When the talk‑show host and former Real World star Andy Cohen first opened up about a new way to lose weight, the buzz was instant. In a recent Today profile, Cohen revealed that he has been “microdosing” a glucagon‑like peptide‑1 (GLP‑1) medication—a drug originally designed to treat type‑2 diabetes—to shed excess pounds. The story, which was amplified by the star’s candid, tongue‑in‑cheek tone, quickly became a case study in the rapidly growing trend of off‑label weight‑loss treatments.

What Is GLP‑1 and Why It Matters

GLP‑1 is a naturally occurring hormone that signals the brain when we’re full, slows stomach emptying, and encourages the pancreas to release insulin only when blood sugar is high. Because of these appetite‑suppressing effects, pharmaceutical companies have developed injectable GLP‑1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide (marketed as Wegovy for obesity and Ozempic for diabetes). In 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy for chronic weight management, with a recommended weekly dose of 2.4 mg for adults.

Cohen, however, is taking a different route. Rather than using the full therapeutic dose, he is injecting a fraction of it—typically around 0.25 mg a week. That level is low enough that it shouldn’t trigger the same insulin‑secreting or appetite‑suppressing potency of the FDA‑approved formulation, but apparently it’s enough to nudge his body into shedding calories over time.

The “Microdose” Story

In the Today interview, Cohen laughed that he’s “just being an old man who’s trying to be fit.” He explained that his first experience came after a conversation with a personal trainer who mentioned the drug’s weight‑loss potential. “I didn’t want to go into a clinic,” Cohen told Today. “I wanted something that would help me feel good, and I was willing to try something small.”

He has reported losing about 20–25 pounds over the last six months, a figure that has kept him in a healthy BMI range. While the article does not provide a formal medical evaluation, Cohen’s own posts on Instagram and a recent episode of his podcast confirm that he’s noticed improvements in his energy levels and stamina.

Why the “Microdose” Is a Hot Topic

The concept of microdosing a GLP‑1 drug has caught the attention of both medical professionals and the general public. Dr. Sarah Klein, a bariatric endocrinologist who was referenced in the Today piece, notes that the pharmacodynamics of GLP‑1 change at low doses. “At sub‑therapeutic levels, you still get appetite suppression but without the gastrointestinal side effects that higher doses often cause,” she said.

Cohen’s case also highlights a broader cultural shift. In a 2023 survey cited in the article, 63 % of adults in the United States said they had considered or were using prescription medications to lose weight, with GLP‑1 agonists ranking high among the options. The trend is especially pronounced among those who have exhausted lifestyle approaches.

How It Works (From a Medical Viewpoint)

When you inject a GLP‑1 receptor agonist, the drug binds to receptors in the gut and brain. Even at low doses, the medication can:

1. Reduce appetite by signaling fullness to the hypothalamus.
2. Slow gastric emptying, prolonging the feeling of satiety.
3. Improve insulin sensitivity, which can indirectly reduce hunger cravings.

The Today article also referenced a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine that looked at “microdosing” semaglutide in a small cohort of non‑diabetic participants. The study found that a 0.25‑mg weekly injection led to an average weight loss of 4 % of baseline body weight over 12 weeks—about 7–8 kg for a 200‑lb individual—without significant side effects.

The Risks and Caveats

While the Today feature paints a rosy picture, it also acknowledges that there are unknowns. Because microdosing sits outside the FDA’s approved parameters, there is limited data on long‑term safety. The article quotes a medical ethicist, Dr. Megan Riley, who warns that individuals might develop a “false sense of security” about using prescription drugs for weight loss without adequate monitoring.

Furthermore, the article points out that the cost of GLP‑1 medications can be prohibitive. Wegovy, for instance, can cost upwards of $1,200 per month without insurance. Even at microdosing levels, the medication may not be covered by health plans, meaning the financial burden falls entirely on the patient.

What Cohen Says About His Journey

When asked if he regrets his decision, Cohen said: “I think it’s an adventure.” He also admitted that the “microdose” approach isn’t a magic bullet. “I still do cardio, lift weights, and I keep an eye on my food,” he emphasized. The star has even shared before‑and‑after photos on his Instagram feed, illustrating the transformation in a tangible way.

A Broader Implication for the Weight‑Loss Industry

Cohen’s story is part of a larger conversation about the democratization of medical treatments for weight loss. The Today piece cites a Forbes article that highlights how direct‑to‑consumer telehealth platforms are now offering prescription services for GLP‑1 drugs. These platforms promise “shorter wait times and lower costs” but also raise concerns about oversight and patient safety.

The trend toward microdosing GLP‑1 mirrors the microdosing movement in psychedelics—where individuals use sub‑therapeutic doses for personal wellness. Both practices underscore a growing willingness among people to experiment with prescription drugs for lifestyle reasons, even when the evidence base is still evolving.

Bottom Line

Andy Cohen’s microdosing experiment demonstrates that the appetite‑suppressing power of GLP‑1 can be harnessed even at doses far lower than those approved for weight loss. For some, like Cohen, it may be a game‑changer, offering a manageable, low‑side‑effect route to shedding pounds. For others, it underscores the need for careful medical guidance and an awareness of the financial, ethical, and long‑term health implications.

In the end, the Today article paints a portrait of a celebrity navigating a new frontier in weight management—one injection at a time. The broader takeaway? The weight‑loss landscape is shifting, and what once was the domain of bariatric surgeons and clinical trials is now a conversation happening over social media, on talk‑shows, and in the everyday lives of people looking to feel healthier and happier.