Bunnie XO, wife of country singer Jelly Roll, has opened up about experiencing a “dark” depression she believes was triggered by a weight-loss medication.
On her podcast Dumb Blonde, Bunnie, 45, whose real name is Alyssa DeFord, revealed she had been taking retatrutide—also known as “reta”—an experimental drug developed by pharmaceutical company Lilly. The medication, currently in late-stage trials, is not yet FDA-approved.
Bunnie said she obtained the drug from a “reputable wellness center” in Nashville. She experienced nausea in the first week and began to notice weight loss within two weeks. However, after increasing her dose in the fourth week, she described feeling a severe “mental numbness.”
“I literally got sent into the worst suicidal depression that I’ve had since 2020,” she said. “I didn’t think I was going to make it through the two weeks. Like I was praying to God.”
The podcaster said she felt emotionally numb, unable to enjoy music or other activities that normally brought her joy. “You could see like my eyes were black,” she explained. “I just drove in silence because I couldn’t handle anything. It stole my joy. It was so dark.”
After discontinuing the drug for 20 days, Bunnie reported that her mood is slowly returning. She cautioned listeners that her experience may not reflect the experiences of others. “There’s so many people who are taking reta and love it. But something happened with me,” she said.
Experts weigh in on experimental GLP-3 drug
Lilly confirmed to Fox News that retatrutide is legally available only to participants in its clinical trials. “No one should consider taking anything claiming to be retatrutide outside of a Lilly-sponsored clinical trial,” the company said, warning about the dangers of fake medications.
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel highlighted that retatrutide is a triple agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors, sometimes referred to as a “GLP-3.” While it shows promise for substantial weight loss, he noted potential psychiatric risks, including depression and suicidal thoughts, which have been observed with other GLP-1 medications.
Phase 3 trials of retatrutide, including the TRIUMPH-4 study, have shown significant weight loss in participants with obesity and knee arthritis—averaging 71.8 pounds (28.7%) over 68 weeks. Lilly anticipates seven additional phase 3 trials to conclude in 2026, with potential FDA approval expected in 2027.
While retatrutide may offer benefits for conditions like type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, cardiovascular risk, and metabolic dysfunction, medical experts urge caution. Dr. Philip Rabito, an endocrinologist and weight-loss specialist, warned that the drug’s glucagon-agonist component introduces “less-understood long-term safety considerations,” requiring close medical supervision.
Mental health concerns and hormonal factors
Medical specialists suggest that weight-loss drugs affecting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon pathways can impact the brain’s reward system, influencing mood. “Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine affect mood and appetite,” Dr. Siegel said. “Somewhat unpredictable, sometimes negative.”
Dr. Peter Balazs, a hormone and weight-loss specialist, emphasized that patients experiencing significant depressive symptoms—including suicidal ideation—require a full clinical evaluation. He noted that perimenopausal women, like Bunnie, may be more vulnerable due to fluctuating estrogen levels, which can affect neuroprotection and mood stability.
Balazs added that obesity-related hormonal shifts and inflammation can also affect brain function, potentially intensifying emotional challenges. He advised that patients outside of clinical trials should not self-administer experimental weight-loss drugs, as dose adjustments can dramatically impact both physical and mental health.
“Until proper protocols are established, extreme vigilance is necessary,” Balazs said.
