Natasha Loder
@natashaloder.bsky.social
Health Editor, The Economist.
#Science #medicine #health, aspiring optimist, omnivorous information eater, mother of dragons.
Free words at: Overmatter.substack.com
#Science #medicine #health, aspiring optimist, omnivorous information eater, mother of dragons.
Free words at: Overmatter.substack.com
Pinned
Natasha Loder
@natashaloder.bsky.social
· Mar 20
The dream of enhancing humanity is becoming a reality, with investments pouring into the human enhancement industry, aiming to make us stronger, smarter, and longer-lived. Notable investors like Christian Angermayer, Peter Thiel, Elon Musk are at the forefront #HumanEnhancement #TechRevolution
Reposted by Natasha Loder
This is excellent from @natashaloder.bsky.social on yesterday's nonsense open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
The moral panic about GLP-1 rebound
Scientists and journalists are piling on the misery about the weight regain after medication
open.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:25 PM
This is excellent from @natashaloder.bsky.social on yesterday's nonsense open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
If you stop taking blood pressure meds, your BP goes up. We call that medicine.
If you stop taking GLP-1s, your weight goes up. Scientists are calling it "weight recidivism"—a term for convicted criminals.
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure? #GLP
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
If you stop taking GLP-1s, your weight goes up. Scientists are calling it "weight recidivism"—a term for convicted criminals.
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure? #GLP
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
The moral panic about GLP-1 rebound
Scientists and journalists are piling on the misery about the weight regain after medication
overmatter.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:13 PM
If you stop taking blood pressure meds, your BP goes up. We call that medicine.
If you stop taking GLP-1s, your weight goes up. Scientists are calling it "weight recidivism"—a term for convicted criminals.
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure? #GLP
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
If you stop taking GLP-1s, your weight goes up. Scientists are calling it "weight recidivism"—a term for convicted criminals.
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure? #GLP
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Reposted by Natasha Loder
This commentary by @natashaloder.bsky.social on the media coverage of the BMJ article on weight gain after patients stop using GLP-1s is a must read for those who communicate scientific information.
The moral panic about GLP-1 rebound
Scientists and journalists are piling on the misery about the weight regain after medication
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:09 PM
This commentary by @natashaloder.bsky.social on the media coverage of the BMJ article on weight gain after patients stop using GLP-1s is a must read for those who communicate scientific information.
Reposted by Natasha Loder
Wonderful expose of puritanical morality play around GLP-1 drugs.
If you stop taking blood pressure meds, your BP goes up. We call that medicine. If you stop taking GLP-1s, your weight goes up. Scientists are calling it "weight recidivism"—a term for convicted criminals.
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure?
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure?
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
The moral panic about GLP-1 rebound
Scientists and journalists are piling on the misery about the weight regain after medication
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Wonderful expose of puritanical morality play around GLP-1 drugs.
Reposted by Natasha Loder
Relevant to the discourse today about GLP-1, this excellent piece by @natashaloder.bsky.social We don't talk about "blood pressure recidivism" when people come of statins, or people with diabetes being "insulin addicts". So why do we do the same for these drugs? substack.com/home/post/p-...
The moral panic about GLP-1 rebound
Scientists and journalists are piling on the misery about the weight regain after medication
substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Relevant to the discourse today about GLP-1, this excellent piece by @natashaloder.bsky.social We don't talk about "blood pressure recidivism" when people come of statins, or people with diabetes being "insulin addicts". So why do we do the same for these drugs? substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Natasha Loder
This is excellent:
Are you addicted to GLP-1 drugs? Thought not.
Find out why there is a moral panic about these drugs, and why I think the panickers are dead wrong.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Find out why there is a moral panic about these drugs, and why I think the panickers are dead wrong.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
The moral panic about GLP-1 rebound
Scientists and journalists are piling on the misery about the weight regain after medication
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:52 PM
This is excellent:
Reposted by Natasha Loder
‘The fact that people with obesity rebound more slowly on some other program nobody is offering you and which doesn’t scale is irrelevant and highlighting it is basically a sort of moral judgement on the failure of one billion people.’
Great piece.
Great piece.
If you stop taking blood pressure meds, your BP goes up. We call that medicine. If you stop taking GLP-1s, your weight goes up. Scientists are calling it "weight recidivism"—a term for convicted criminals.
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure?
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure?
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
The moral panic about GLP-1 rebound
Scientists and journalists are piling on the misery about the weight regain after medication
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:40 PM
‘The fact that people with obesity rebound more slowly on some other program nobody is offering you and which doesn’t scale is irrelevant and highlighting it is basically a sort of moral judgement on the failure of one billion people.’
Great piece.
Great piece.
Reposted by Natasha Loder
If you stop taking blood pressure meds, your BP goes up. We call that medicine. If you stop taking GLP-1s, your weight goes up. Scientists are calling it "weight recidivism"—a term for convicted criminals.
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure?
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure?
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
The moral panic about GLP-1 rebound
Scientists and journalists are piling on the misery about the weight regain after medication
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:37 PM
If you stop taking blood pressure meds, your BP goes up. We call that medicine. If you stop taking GLP-1s, your weight goes up. Scientists are calling it "weight recidivism"—a term for convicted criminals.
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure?
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure?
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Suggesting prevention to someone who is already obese is like offering to fireproof a house that is already on fire.
The latest BMJ review on GLP-1 weight regain is being used to wag fingers at patients. Here’s why the "quick fix" narrative is nonsense.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
The latest BMJ review on GLP-1 weight regain is being used to wag fingers at patients. Here’s why the "quick fix" narrative is nonsense.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
The moral panic about GLP-1 rebound
Scientists and journalists are piling on the misery about the weight regain after medication
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Suggesting prevention to someone who is already obese is like offering to fireproof a house that is already on fire.
The latest BMJ review on GLP-1 weight regain is being used to wag fingers at patients. Here’s why the "quick fix" narrative is nonsense.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
The latest BMJ review on GLP-1 weight regain is being used to wag fingers at patients. Here’s why the "quick fix" narrative is nonsense.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
If you stop taking blood pressure meds, your BP goes up. We call that medicine. If you stop taking GLP-1s, your weight goes up. Scientists are calling it "weight recidivism"—a term for convicted criminals.
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure?
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure?
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
The moral panic about GLP-1 rebound
Scientists and journalists are piling on the misery about the weight regain after medication
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:37 PM
If you stop taking blood pressure meds, your BP goes up. We call that medicine. If you stop taking GLP-1s, your weight goes up. Scientists are calling it "weight recidivism"—a term for convicted criminals.
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure?
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Why is obesity still treated as a moral failure?
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Are you addicted to GLP-1 drugs? Thought not.
Find out why there is a moral panic about these drugs, and why I think the panickers are dead wrong.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Find out why there is a moral panic about these drugs, and why I think the panickers are dead wrong.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
The moral panic about GLP-1 rebound
Scientists and journalists are piling on the misery about the weight regain after medication
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Are you addicted to GLP-1 drugs? Thought not.
Find out why there is a moral panic about these drugs, and why I think the panickers are dead wrong.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Find out why there is a moral panic about these drugs, and why I think the panickers are dead wrong.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Reposted by Natasha Loder
A few weeks ago I traveled to Ladakh to see how the India-China frontier had changed since a bloody clash five years ago. Things are much calmer, but both sides are rapidly building up infrastructure & there is no going back to the pre-2020 status quo.
www.economist.com/asia/2025/12...
www.economist.com/asia/2025/12...
A fragile thaw at the top of the world
The Economist gained rare access to India’s tense border with China
www.economist.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:26 AM
A few weeks ago I traveled to Ladakh to see how the India-China frontier had changed since a bloody clash five years ago. Things are much calmer, but both sides are rapidly building up infrastructure & there is no going back to the pre-2020 status quo.
www.economist.com/asia/2025/12...
www.economist.com/asia/2025/12...
The Chinese understand all too well the risks of letting AI manipulate vulnerable human beings. We need to catch up fast.
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
China drafts world’s strictest rules to end AI-encouraged suicide, violence
China wants a human to intervene and notify guardians if suicide is ever mentioned.
arstechnica.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:28 PM
The Chinese understand all too well the risks of letting AI manipulate vulnerable human beings. We need to catch up fast.
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
Reposted by Natasha Loder
For most of human history, alcohol has been our go‑to technology for changing mood, bonding with strangers and making rituals feel meaningful. But if the world is quietly sobering up what fills the gap in our social and emotional lives?
👉 www.economist.com/christmas-sp...
👉 www.economist.com/christmas-sp...
https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2025/12/18/how-humankinds-10m-year-love-affair-with-booze-might-end
December 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
For most of human history, alcohol has been our go‑to technology for changing mood, bonding with strangers and making rituals feel meaningful. But if the world is quietly sobering up what fills the gap in our social and emotional lives?
👉 www.economist.com/christmas-sp...
👉 www.economist.com/christmas-sp...
For most of human history, alcohol has been our go‑to technology for changing mood, bonding with strangers and making rituals feel meaningful. But if the world is quietly sobering up what fills the gap in our social and emotional lives?
👉 www.economist.com/christmas-sp...
👉 www.economist.com/christmas-sp...
https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2025/12/18/how-humankinds-10m-year-love-affair-with-booze-might-end
December 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
For most of human history, alcohol has been our go‑to technology for changing mood, bonding with strangers and making rituals feel meaningful. But if the world is quietly sobering up what fills the gap in our social and emotional lives?
👉 www.economist.com/christmas-sp...
👉 www.economist.com/christmas-sp...
Bespoke medicines are making progress.
Read my new post on Substack--which is completely free.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Read my new post on Substack--which is completely free.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Bespoke Medicines
Millions of children are dying from genetic diseases we already know how to treat. The obstacle isn’t cost. It’s courage.
open.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Bespoke medicines are making progress.
Read my new post on Substack--which is completely free.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Read my new post on Substack--which is completely free.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Reposted by Natasha Loder
This is a section from my interview where I basically say that I don't see this as a super bad flu season - or at least, that there is no evidence to say now that it will be.
full interview is here
youtu.be/_PZiU3R7jac
full interview is here
youtu.be/_PZiU3R7jac
December 15, 2025 at 1:04 PM
This is a section from my interview where I basically say that I don't see this as a super bad flu season - or at least, that there is no evidence to say now that it will be.
full interview is here
youtu.be/_PZiU3R7jac
full interview is here
youtu.be/_PZiU3R7jac
New on Overmatter. A story about the fight to be able to make bespoke medicines more easily—something that could one day help millions of children with genetic diseases. Overmatter is free to readers.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Bespoke Medicines
Millions of children are dying from genetic diseases we already know how to treat. The obstacle isn’t cost. It’s courage.
open.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 9:01 PM
New on Overmatter. A story about the fight to be able to make bespoke medicines more easily—something that could one day help millions of children with genetic diseases. Overmatter is free to readers.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Interesting.
This is a year-by-year comparison of hospital admissions with flu using the latest data up to 30 Nov.
Yes, this year’s flu season started a few weeks earlier than normal. But otherwise, its pattern looks very similar to 2022/23 and 2024/25. 3/10
Yes, this year’s flu season started a few weeks earlier than normal. But otherwise, its pattern looks very similar to 2022/23 and 2024/25. 3/10
December 12, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Interesting.
So this new MAHA Elevate program, two predictions about what it will discover about longevity. 1. that national health sytem style preventative, lifestyle based, public health interventions really work to extend life and 2. that includes vaccines.
cms.gov/priorities/i...
cms.gov/priorities/i...
MAHA ELEVATE (Make America Healthy Again: Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-based Approaches Through Evidence) Model | CMS
The Make America Healthy Again: Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-based Approaches Through Evidence (MAHA ELEVATE) Model is part of the Administration’s bold plan to reform America’s health sys...
cms.gov
December 11, 2025 at 10:47 PM
So this new MAHA Elevate program, two predictions about what it will discover about longevity. 1. that national health sytem style preventative, lifestyle based, public health interventions really work to extend life and 2. that includes vaccines.
cms.gov/priorities/i...
cms.gov/priorities/i...
I would like to “like” a post like this but my last five years of social media may be needed to gain entry to the US so who knows if I should?
My end-of-year leader for 2025 is about the need to defend science against the encroaching darkness, not just because it is the best way to make sense of the world, but also because it is an endless source of wonder and whimsy www.newscientist.com/article/mg26...
Science still produced many wonders in 2025 despite being under siege
Though there were setbacks on climate change and funding for science this year, there was still plenty of amazing discoveries to marvel at
www.newscientist.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:39 AM
I would like to “like” a post like this but my last five years of social media may be needed to gain entry to the US so who knows if I should?
Reposted by Natasha Loder
Well parents generally remove their kids when they start having mental health crises. Then the kids are either found a new school by the LA, special school (££££) or homeschooled. Mostly parent focus is on the child. Love to see lawyers get a class action on this.
December 11, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Well parents generally remove their kids when they start having mental health crises. Then the kids are either found a new school by the LA, special school (££££) or homeschooled. Mostly parent focus is on the child. Love to see lawyers get a class action on this.
The clue for strict schools with strict policies is in the term “special needs”. But who knew so many teachers couldn’t read English 🤷🏻♀️
In news that will shock few parents, a review finds that special needs kids do not thrive in strict schools.
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Mossbourne's Hackney school 'harmful' to some pupils, review finds
Review finds Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy's policies are "harmful" to some vulnerable pupils.
www.bbc.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:26 AM
The clue for strict schools with strict policies is in the term “special needs”. But who knew so many teachers couldn’t read English 🤷🏻♀️
Reposted by Natasha Loder
In news that will shock few parents, a review finds that special needs kids do not thrive in strict schools.
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Mossbourne's Hackney school 'harmful' to some pupils, review finds
Review finds Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy's policies are "harmful" to some vulnerable pupils.
www.bbc.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:04 AM
In news that will shock few parents, a review finds that special needs kids do not thrive in strict schools.
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
In news that will shock few parents, a review finds that special needs kids do not thrive in strict schools.
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Mossbourne's Hackney school 'harmful' to some pupils, review finds
Review finds Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy's policies are "harmful" to some vulnerable pupils.
www.bbc.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:04 AM
In news that will shock few parents, a review finds that special needs kids do not thrive in strict schools.
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...