Weight loss is where the current generation of HOTs happens to have the most dramatic, visible impact, but it is far from the full story even today, and is only the beginning of what HOTs will become.

Even within today's GLP-1 drugs, the effects reach well beyond weight. GLP-1 users see meaningful reductions in major cardiovascular events and in hospitalization from heart failure. Clinical trials of GLP-1 class drugs show substantial reductions in obstructive sleep apnea severity, with a significant proportion of patients achieving resolution to mild or no OSA at all. Research has shown that some osteoarthritis patients experience such profound relief that they no longer meet clinical criteria for the disease by the end of the trial. Research is also actively exploring GLP-1 benefits for addiction, Alzheimer's risk, cancer prevention, anxiety, and depression. These are not weight-adjacent benefits. They reflect the fact that these drugs modulate fundamental biological systems, including metabolic, neurological, and inflammatory pathways, that govern health across many dimensions.

Also, HOTs does not only refer to GLP-1s. They are a category of drugs characterized by the fact that they optimize health rather than just treat disease. Looking further ahead, the HOTs category will expand to include drugs that optimize things far beyond weight, like bone density, immune function, sleep, skin health, cardiovascular resilience, cognitive performance, and potentially the pace of biological aging itself. The common thread here is optimization, not weight. HOTs represent the proactive pursuit of function and wellbeing rather than the reactive management of disease.

Explore the evidence...

• Even within today's first-generation GLP-1 drugs, users see meaningful improvements in cardiovascular health, sleep apnea, joint disease, addiction, and mental health that are not side effects of weight loss. These drugs modulate fundamental biological systems that govern health across many dimensions.
  • Explore the full scope of HOT health benefits in our Rethinking Health report.
  • Read about the evidence on GLP-1s and addiction, including alcohol, opioids, and nicotine, in our blog post "GLP-1s Are Cracking the Biological Code of Addiction"

• The next chapter is the combination of GLP-1s with myostatin and activin blocking drugs, which simultaneously achieve fat loss and muscle gain. RethinkX calls this the "iPhone Moment" for HOTs. It represents a combination that comes very close to diet and exercise in a bottle, and is likely to arrive before 2030.
  • Find out more about myostatin and activin blocking drugs and why they matter in our Rethinking Health report.

• Looking further ahead, the HOT category will expand to include drugs targeting bone density, immune function, cognitive performance, skin health, and potentially the pace of biological aging itself. The common thread is optimization across the full range of human biological systems, not just weight.
  
  • See how AI-driven drug discovery is opening up a virtually limitless possibility space for next-generation HOTs in our Rethinking Health report.

Witness the transformation

We are entering a new era of healthcare based on a categorically different kind of medicine whose purpose is not just to save us from illness, but to help us be the best version of ourselves.

The next generation of HOTs will trigger a multi-trillion-dollar global disruption, affecting dozens of industries across multiple sectors, driving a radical global improvement in health and wellness encompassing at least 1 billion people worldwide before 2040.

Optimizing well with advanced HOTs will soon become as important as eating well with nutritious foods. Nations, industries, and individuals that recognize this early and act decisively will be best positioned to capture the extraordinary benefits of this transformation.

Learn more about the HOT disruption and its implications for health, society, and the economy.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this FAQ is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. The content regarding GLP-1 receptor agonists (or any other medical treatments) should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. The authors and publishers of this FAQ and related report make no representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information presented. Reliance on any information provided here is solely at your own risk.