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If you’ve reached your goal weight on a GLP-1, you may be wondering what comes next. Do you stay on the same dose indefinitely, move to a lower dose, or gradually taper off?
Ana speaks with Henrik Gudbergsen, MD, PhD, about the emerging evidence around personalized GLP-1 dosing and structured tapering. They examine what early observational research suggests, why lifestyle and behavioral support may matter during maintenance, and why stopping medication will not be appropriate, or possible, for everyone.
**IN THIS EPISODE**
- Why the least effective dose may be more appropriate than automatically increasing to the maximum
- How Embla’s gradual GLP-1 tapering approach works
- What early observational data suggests about maintaining weight after tapering
- Why nutrition, exercise, coaching, CBT, and acceptance and commitment therapy are part of the program
- Whether most people should expect to remain on GLP-1 medication long term
- How insurance coverage and cost can limit personalized dosing
- Why GLP-1 prescribing differs between Denmark and the United States
- How future medications, genetics, health conditions, and the gut microbiome may shape more individualized treatment
**ABOUT THE GUEST**
Henrik Rindel Gudbergsen, MD, PhD, is the medical lead and advisor at Embla, a digital weight-care company combining low-dose GLP-1 treatment, behavioral coaching, and digital tools. He is a practicing physician, associate professor, and principal investigator on anti-obesity medication trials, with a PhD in medical imaging and obesity research.
Henrik has spent more than 15 years at the intersection of clinical medicine, pharmaceuticals, and digital health. His previous experience includes roles at Novo Nordisk, Radiometer, Philips Healthcare, and IBM Watson Health, along with board-level experience in software as a medical device.
**CONNECT WITH HENRIK**
Embla:
https://www.joinembla.com/
Henrik’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMdA5N4TeytPYmbfXjEPJDA
Read the GLP-1 study discussed in this episode:
https://dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dom.70096
**SPONSORS**
This episode includes messages from:
gutzy Organic—organic fruit and vegetable pouches with 8 grams of fiber:
https://gutzyorganic.com/
Johnson Fitness & Wellness—fitness equipment, expert guidance, delivery, and professional installation for your home workout space:
https://www.johnsonfitness.com/
Use code GLP1Hub5 for an exclusive GLP-1 Hub listener offer.
**CHAPTERS**
00:00 Can you taper off a GLP-1?
00:28 Episode introduction
01:47 Meet Henrik Rindel Gudbergsen
04:26 Why Embla uses the least effective dose
07:18 What the early tapering data showed
10:07 Behavioral support beyond diet and exercise
11:14 Sponsor: gutzy Organic
11:52 Why human coaching matters
13:16 Can most people stop GLP-1 medications?
18:02 Insurance barriers and personalized dosing
20:31 New real-world research from Denmark
23:28 Sponsor: Johnson Fitness & Wellness
24:43 How dosing practices differ between Denmark and the U.S.
26:07 The future of personalized obesity treatment
28:03 How Embla combines medication and coaching
29:41 GLP-1 Hub membership and closing
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*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.
