The Hot Hollywood Drug Right Now Is a Diabetes Drug Used as a Quick Fix for Weight Loss

There’s a new Hollywood drug on the scene, but it’s not a party drug, it’s a frug that is used to treat diabetes.  People are looking to Ozempic and similar drugs used to treat Type 2 as a quick fix for weight loss.  These drugs have an ingredient called semaglutide which stimulates insulin production, but also targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite.  Sara Ashley O’Brien, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how doctors are urging caution as it is gaining in popularity.
 
Next, scientists have transplanted clumps of cells that resemble the brain into rats with the hopes that it could help study autism, epilepsy, and schizophrenia.  The experiments involve a new technique that takes skin cells and changes them into stem cells.  These cells where then implanted into the rat brains and they quickly formed connections.  Mark Johnson, science reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how it works and the ethical concerns behind it.
 
Finally, the housing market has cooled, and crazy bidding wars are over.  For those still trying to sell their homes, they are remodeling properties to avoid cutting prices, but not all projects have equal pay off.  To get the most bang for your buck, you’ll want to refinish hard-wood flooring, install new wood flooring, or give the home an insulation upgrade.  Veronica Dagher, personal finance reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the repairs that will help sell your home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.