Debunking Common Myths: The Real Facts About Contrave, BioBoost, and Semaglutide
With the growing popularity of prescription weight loss aids like Contrave, BioBoost, and Semaglutide, it’s no surprise that misinformation is also on the rise. Social media influencers, unlicensed med-spas, and anecdotal online stories often distort the truth, leaving patients confused, misled, or skeptical about what works and what doesn’t.
At Mind Matters Psychiatry & Weight Loss, our goal is to provide patients with evidence-based, personalized care, not hype. In this post, we’ll break down and debunk some of the most common myths about these treatments using clinical data, professional insights, and practical experience.
Myth 1: “Contrave gives you energy like a stimulant.”
Reality:
Contrave contains bupropion, an antidepressant that can have activating effects for some individuals, especially those with underlying fatigue or depressive symptoms. However, it’s not classified as a stimulant and does not directly increase physical energy in the same way that medications like phentermine or amphetamines do.
What patients may notice:
- A sense of increased motivation or reduced mental fatigue
- Better focus or productivity
- Fewer food-related thoughts, which can feel mentally freeing
But Contrave will not:
- Act as a pre-workout or energy booster
- Increase heart rate significantly in most users
- Replace sleep or proper nutrition with energy sources
Bottom line:
If you’re looking for support with appetite and emotional eating, Contrave can help. But if you’re specifically seeking an energy boost, BioBoost or other solutions may be more appropriate.
Myth 2: “BioBoost injections make you lose weight on their own.”
Reality:
BioBoost injections are not weight loss drugs in the traditional sense. They are nutrient-dense intramuscular injections that often contain:
- Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin or hydroxocobalamin)
- MIC (Methionine, Inositol, Choline)
- L-Carnitine
- B-complex vitamins
These ingredients support metabolic processes, energy levels, and fat mobilization. But they do not cause weight loss on their own.
Where BioBoost excels:
- Enhancing energy, making it easier to stick with a fitness routine
- Supporting liver function and metabolism
- Improving recovery and reducing fatigue for those in caloric deficit
Where it falls short:
- BioBoost does not suppress appetite or directly burn fat
- It is best used as a supportive tool, not a primary treatment
Bottom line:
BioBoost can be a valuable part of your program—especially if you’re feeling depleted or low in energy—but it needs to be combined with dietary changes, exercise, and possibly other medical treatments to yield accurate weight loss results.
Myth 3: “Semaglutide works the same for everyone.”
Reality:
Semaglutide (brand names include Wegovy and Ozempic) is one of the most powerful tools in modern weight management. It mimics GLP-1, a gut hormone that regulates hunger, satiety, and insulin release. However, individual response to Semaglutide varies significantly.
Factors that influence results:
- Baseline metabolic health
- Dose titration schedule (starting at 0.25 mg and increasing gradually)
- Nutrition, hydration, and activity level
- Sleep and stress levels
- Genetics and hormone balance
Some patients see:
- Dramatic appetite suppression and fast initial weight loss
- Reduced food cravings and emotional eating
Others may experience:
- Slower progress, especially in the first few months
- Nausea or GI side effects that interfere with eating
- Plateaus without lifestyle support
Bottom line:
Semaglutide is highly effective, but not universally fast-acting or effortless. It should always be used as part of a comprehensive plan, ideally guided by a provider who can monitor and tailor the treatment to your body’s response.
Myth 4: “You can take these medications without changing your lifestyle.”
Reality:
This is one of the most harmful myths out there—and one of the most commonly perpetuated by clinics that market quick fixes. No medication, no matter how effective, can permanently replace the need for:
- Balanced nutrition
- Physical activity
- Mental and emotional support
- Long-term behavioral change
Medications like Contrave and Semaglutide do one thing well:
They help level the biological playing field, giving you back control over hunger and impulse eating. But they don’t replace the need to:
- Eat enough protein and fiber
- Move your body regularly
- Manage sleep and stress
- Address emotional triggers for eating
Bottom line:
These medications are tools, not cures. The most successful patients are those who commit to lifestyle changes while using medical treatment as a support, not a replacement.
Myth 5: “If one medication doesn’t work for you, nothing will.”
Reality:
Each weight loss medication targets different systems in the body. For example:
- Contrave targets the brain’s reward and hunger systems
- Semaglutide affects appetite via the gut-brain axis and insulin regulation
- BioBoost supports cellular energy and nutrient metabolism
So if one medication doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean you’re out of options. It may simply mean that your provider needs to:
- Adjust your dose
- Combine treatment with another supportive modality (like BioBoost)
- Investigate root causes (thyroid dysfunction, insulin resistance, etc.)
- Support lifestyle or mental health factors that could be interfering with success.
Bottom line:
Weight loss is not one-size-fits-all. If something isn’t working, it may be time to try a different medication—or combine therapies for a synergistic effect.
Myth 6: “Once you stop taking the medication, the weight will come back.”
Reality:
This is partially true, but only if the medication was doing all the work.
When used in isolation and without habit change, discontinuing weight loss medication can lead to weight regain. But if you’ve built sustainable habits, such as:
- Eating balanced meals
- Controlling portion sizes
- Managing stress and sleep
- Staying active
- Addressing emotional eating
Then you’re far more likely to maintain the progress even after tapering off the medication.
Bottom line:
The key to long-term success isn’t staying on a drug forever—it’s using the time on medication to build a healthy foundation that lasts.
Education Empowers Better Outcomes
When it comes to your health, clarity and truth matter more than hype. Medications like Contrave, BioBoost, and Semaglutide are potent tools, but understanding how they work—and how they fit into a broader strategy—is crucial to achieving real, lasting success.
At Mind Matters Psychiatry & Weight Loss, we go beyond surface-level marketing. Our team is here to give you accurate answers, personalized support, and a medically guided path toward fundamental transformation.
If you’re ready to explore the best treatment plan for your body and goals, contact us today. Together, we can build a program that empowers your success, one fact at a time.