Magic Pill

The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight Loss Drugs

By: Johann Hari

Narrated by: Johann Hari

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Bloomsbury presents Magic Pill written and read by Johann Hari.

'A wonderfully accessible exploration of one of the most complex problems of our age' TELEGRAPH
'Magic Pill will help you think more clearly about eating, dieting, health and mental health, even if you never touch Ozempic' JONATHAN HAIDT

The bestselling author of Lost Connections and Stolen Focus takes a revelatory look at the new drugs transforming weight loss as we know it – sharing his personal experience on Ozempic and examining our ability to heal society’s dysfunctional relationship with food, weight and our bodies.

In January 2023, Johann Hari started to inject himself once a week with Ozempic, one of the new drugs that produces significant weight loss. He wasn’t alone – some predictions suggest that in a few years, one in four of the British population will be taking these drugs. While around 80 per cent of diets fail, someone taking one of the new drugs is likely to lose up to a quarter of their body weight in six months. To the drugs’ defenders, this is a moment of liberation from a condition that massively increases your chances of diabetes, cancer and an early death.

Still, Hari was wildly conflicted. Can these drugs really be as good as they sound? Are they a magic solution – or a magical illusion? Finding the answer to this high-stakes question led him on a journey from Iceland to Minneapolis to Tokyo, and to interview the leading experts in the world on these issues. He found that along with the drugs' massive benefits come twelve significant potential risks. He also learned that these drugs radically challenge what we think we know about shame, willpower and healing.

These drugs are about to change our world, for better and for worse. Everybody needs to understand how they work – scientifically, emotionally and culturally. Magic Pill is an essential guide to the revolution that has already begun – and which one leading expert argues could be as transformative as the invention of the smartphone.

'A brilliant synthesis of so much important information. Really important, and very necessary' STEPHEN FRY
'Compassionate, wise and mind-expanding . . . A must read' PHILIPPA PERRY

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Johann Hari (P)2024 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

A balanced review of the societal overweight issue

The best part of this is that it brings in multiple viewpoints and even dares to question things that ”have always been like this”. Well worth the read/listen.

Well researched

Loved the depth and unbiased research. I found it really interesting and easy to listen to.
I bought this because I have the author’s other books and loved them. This is not a topic I’m greatly interested in, however I am after listening to this book.

Amazing book

I really enjoyed this book! It does a great job explaining the root problem of why we need Ozempic in our society.

A lived experience of obesity

It was fascinating learning about the big food companies and how they have harmed our health, and how now Big Pharma will now make billions to help us out of the health crisis we are now in. But I was most interested in Johann’s insights of living with obesity. As a health professional I found this lived experience knowledge invaluable. Such an amazing communicator on health topics.!

great writer on a topic of our time

hari first greatly affected me with his book on depression, now this book has illuminated me on the shocking implications of these drugs and the weight of the food system issue crushing the health of our societies. he writes with eloquence and empathy and I would recommend this to anyone with even a passing interest on the topic

Interesting

Great wide review of the many sides of this complex issue. Balanced and in depth investigation. I have finished it seeing all sides.