GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking a natural gut hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which the body normally releases after eating. Medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound bind to the same receptors that natural GLP-1 does, but at levels far higher than the body produces on its own — which is why the effects are so much stronger than the hormone's natural role. How Do GLP-1 Drugs Work? The Three Main Mechanisms 1. They trigger more insulin release, but