Wegovy is a brand-name version of the generic medication semaglutide, which is a type of medication called a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist. Instead of that tongue-twister of a name, we call these medications “GLP-1s” for short.

Wegovy is FDA-approved and clinically proven to help with weight loss. How? It acts like a natural hormone your body uses to regulate blood sugar and appetite—key steps in resetting your biological set point to help you maintain a new, lower weight. In fact, the STEP 4 clinical trial saw people who combined Wegovy with lifestyle changes lose an average of 10.6% of their body weight after 20 weeks, and 17% after 68 weeks.

Wegovy works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which slows digestion and helps your brain regulate appetite by reducing hunger sensations. As your digestion slows, you may feel full longer and therefore eat less, which can lead to weight loss.