Bunnie XO, the wife of country music artist Jelly Roll, has shared her alarming experience with the weight-loss drug retatrutide, revealing it triggered severe depression. During an episode of her podcast “Dumb Blonde,” Bunnie, whose real name is Alyssa DeFord, disclosed that she began taking the drug, which is still undergoing clinical trials and has not yet received FDA approval.
The 45-year-old podcaster stated she received her dosage from a “reputable wellness center” in Nashville and began feeling unwell within the first week. Despite initial success in shedding pounds, her experience took a turn for the worse after increasing her dosage. “I literally got sent into the worst suicidal depression that I’ve had since 2020,” she said. Bunnie described the emotional numbness and overwhelming darkness that followed, saying, “I just drove in silence because I just couldn’t handle anything.”
Concerns Over Mental Health Impacts
Bunnie’s account raises significant concerns about the psychological effects of emerging weight-loss medications like retatrutide. In her case, she felt devoid of joy, unable to engage with music that typically uplifted her. After discontinuing the drug for 20 days, she reported that her sense of joy began to return, describing the experience as a “battle.” She emphasized that her experience might not reflect that of others, noting, “There’s so many people who are taking Reta and love it.”
Lilly, the pharmaceutical company developing retatrutide, confirmed to Fox News Digital that the drug is an “investigational molecule” available only to participants in clinical trials. A spokesperson cautioned against considering any product claiming to be retatrutide outside of these trials, highlighting concerns about counterfeit medications.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst at Fox News, warned that retatrutide is still unapproved and may pose risks, particularly for mental health. He noted, “This drug is new — known as a triple agonist (GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptor agonist) — and has been linked potentially to depression and suicidal thoughts.”
Potential Benefits and Risks of Retatrutide
Retatrutide is often referred to as “GLP-3” due to its targeting of three hormones believed to facilitate significant weight loss. According to Lilly’s phase 3 trial results, participants with obesity and knee arthritis taking a 12 mg dose experienced an average weight loss of 71.8 lbs (28.7%) over 68 weeks. The company expressed hope that retatrutide could become a vital option for patients needing substantial weight loss and those with related complications.
Despite its promising results, experts caution against overlooking potential side effects. Dr. Philip Rabito, an endocrinology specialist, noted that the new class of weight-loss drugs could lead to “bariatric surgery level outcomes” but also pose safety concerns. He stressed the importance of close monitoring by healthcare professionals experienced with this medication class.
The connection between weight-loss drugs and mental health remains a complex issue. Dr. Siegel explained that these medications can influence the brain’s reward system, affecting mood and appetite. He added that significant depressive symptoms warrant thorough clinical evaluation.
Dr. Peter Balazs, a hormone and weight loss specialist, emphasized that any depressive symptoms experienced during treatment require immediate professional attention. He advised that patients should be screened for mental health issues before starting these medications, underscoring the need for careful management.
Bunnie’s experience underscores the importance of understanding the potential psychological impacts of weight-loss treatments. As the broader implications of these drugs continue to unfold, experts urge vigilance in monitoring patients who are prescribed such medications. The findings from ongoing trials may provide more clarity regarding the safety and efficacy of retatrutide and similar treatments in the future.
For anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide, it is crucial to seek help. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
