Hey it's Jess here! If you've been following along for any amount of time, you know my story with peptides! I lost 75 pounds with a GLP and am using Semorelin now to help with my body composition. So far, I'm loving it!
I get so many questions about what peptides are and how they can work, so I thought I would take the time to write up an FAQ for you! This answers things generally, and as always I am happy to chat.
Just a reminder that this is not medical advice, just my personal experience. You can select the peptides you want to try, and consult with a doctor about your health goals here...
https://elliemd.com/HeyJessicaKay
Let's get started!
Over the last few years, GLP-1 medications have been all over the news for their role in weight loss, blood sugar control, and overall metabolic health. But there’s a lot of confusion out there, and just as many myths.
As someone who has personally used Semorelin (a peptide that supports natural growth hormone production) and GLP/GIP + B12 (a compounded peptide therapy that mimics the effects of GLP-1 medications while supporting energy and metabolism), I’ve experienced firsthand how powerful (and sometimes misunderstood) these treatments can be.
In this post, I’ll answer some of the most common questions people are Googling about GLP-1s, while also sharing pieces of my personal journey.
1. GLP-1 side effects — how long do they last?
Most people experience side effects like nausea, bloating, or constipation during the first few weeks. These usually improve as your body adjusts. For me, the first month was definitely the toughest — I had to learn how to eat smaller meals, eat slower, and pay attention to hydration. By week six, my side effects leveled out.
Pro tip: Start low, go slow. When I titrated doses carefully with my provider, it made the adjustment much smoother.
You can also grab my GLP-1 guide to help you on your journey, it's over 40 pages and everything I wish I knew when I started.
Here’s the link to grab my guide
https://www.jessicakulrich.com/offers/2MPEXJEe
2. GLP-1 vs. GLP-1/GIP weight loss comparison
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GLP-1's can help reset appetite but progress can be slower.
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GLP/GIP + B12 (a compounded peptide similar to tirzepatide) gave me energy and more consistent fat loss, without the same level of fatigue. The B12 add-in made a noticeable difference in my mood and stamina.
3. Will I regain weight when stopping GLP-1 drugs?
This is a big one — yes, many people regain weight if they stop without lifestyle changes. GLP-1s help regulate appetite and insulin, but once the support is gone, old habits creep back in.
For me, this was where Semorelin helped. By supporting deeper sleep and recovery, it kept my metabolism steadier when I took breaks from GLP/GIP. Combining lifestyle changes (like strength training and protein tracking) made the results more sustainable.
4. How fast do GLP-1s help me lose weight safely?
Most people notice appetite suppression within the first week or two. Weight loss can take a few weeks to show on the scale.
Personally, I lost 11 pounds in my first month, but it wasn’t just the scale. My cravings calmed down, and my daily choices became easier.
5. Is an oral GLP as effective as injection?
Oral semaglutide exists, but studies show the injections are absorbed more reliably. I haven’t tried the oral, but with peptides like Semorelin and GLP/GIP, injections were simple and gave me steady, measurable results.
6. Can I build muscle while on GLP-1 medication?
Yes — but it takes intention. GLP-1s reduce appetite, which sometimes means not eating enough protein. That’s where I had to be careful. I used macro tracking to make sure I wasn’t under-fueling.
Semorelin supported recovery from my workouts — I could lift heavier and recover faster, which helped maintain muscle while losing fat.
7. Are compounded GLP-1s safe or legit?
This is where you have to be cautious. Some compounded versions may not be regulated properly. I personally chose to work with a provider I trusted (EllieMD) because safety and correct dosing mattered to me. That’s how I got access to GLP/GIP + B12 that I felt comfortable using.
8. Insurance coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs
Most insurances only cover GLP-1s if you have type 2 diabetes. Weight-loss-only prescriptions are often out-of-pocket.
That’s part of why I looked into compounded peptides — they were more affordable for ongoing use, especially when combined with lifestyle changes that made results sustainable.
Conclusion
GLP-1s and peptides can be life-changing tools — but they’re not magic fixes. My experience with Semorelin gave me energy, better sleep, and muscle recovery. My journey with GLP/GIP + B12 helped control my appetite and pushed me past weight-loss plateaus.
Together, these tools made me feel like I finally had my metabolism working with me, not against me.
If you’re curious about whether GLP-1s or peptides might be right for you, talk with a trusted provider — and remember, the foundation still comes back to nutrition, movement, sleep, and mindset.