Bunnie Xo, the wife of country music star Jelly Roll, has bravely revealed a deeply distressing experience with a weight loss medication that plunged her into what she describes as a "dark" and terrifying depression. The 46-year-old podcast host, whose real name is Alyssa DeFord, opened up about this harrowing ordeal during a recent episode of her popular Dumb Blonde podcast, sending shockwaves through both entertainment and health circles.
A Terrifying Descent into Darkness
During the January 11 episode, Bunnie explained that she had been taking what she believed to be Eli Lilly's experimental drug retatrutide, commonly referred to as "reta." She obtained this medication from what she considered a "reputable wellness center" in Nashville, though the drug remains in clinical trial stages and has not received FDA approval for public use.
The consequences were severe and frightening. "I literally got sent into the worst suicidal depression that I've had since 2020," Bunnie confessed to her listeners. "It scared me so bad. I didn't think I was going to make it through the two weeks. Like I was praying to God."
Emotional Numbness and Overwhelming Despair
Bunnie described experiencing complete emotional numbness alongside overwhelming despair. "It was either overstimulating or it was to the point where it just stole my joy. I had no joy, like nothing to live for. It was so dark," she shared. The podcast host revealed she had to drive "in silence" because she couldn't "handle anything" during this period.
At the time of recording, Bunnie reported being 20 days off the drug and noted that her happiness was "finally" beginning to return. She called the entire experience a "battle" and issued a stark warning to her audience about believing everything they see online regarding weight-loss medications.
Pharmaceutical Company Response and Safety Warnings
In response to Bunnie's claims, Eli Lilly issued a clear statement through a spokesperson to Fox News Digital. The company confirmed that retatrutide is currently only available to participants in their official clinical trials and emphasized that "no one should consider taking anything claiming to be retatrutide outside of a Lilly-sponsored clinical trial."
The pharmaceutical giant explicitly stated that "this was not a Lilly product" and continues to warn the public about "the potential dangers of fake medicines." This highlights significant concerns about unregulated medications circulating outside proper medical channels.
Understanding Retatrutide and Its Development Status
According to medical sources like GoodRx, retatrutide represents an innovative approach to weight management that remains in development. The medication has earned the nickname "GLP-3" because it targets three different hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism, potentially offering more substantial weight loss results than existing treatments.
The drug works by mimicking three gut hormones that help balance both appetite and metabolic processes. Its phase 3 clinical trial is scheduled to conclude in early 2026, with potential FDA approval possibly following in 2027 if the results prove successful and safe.
Broader Context and Previous Medication Experiences
This revelation comes after Bunnie previously disclosed that she was "micro-dosing" tirzepatide, another GLP-1 medication used for weight management. She admitted being "scared" to take it initially, which prompted her cautious approach with smaller doses.
The timing of Bunnie's disclosure is particularly poignant given her husband Jelly Roll's remarkable weight loss journey. The 41-year-old singer, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, has lost over 300 pounds in recent years after committing to significant lifestyle changes.
Jelly Roll's Transformation and Health Commitment
Jelly Roll once tipped the scales at approximately 540 pounds, though he noted that standard scales aren't designed to measure weight above 520 pounds, making his maximum weight an estimate. In an interview with Men's Health, he described feeling like a "prisoner" to his own body before his transformation, with his entire life revolving around his size.
The country singer enlisted comprehensive support including Ways2Well services, a personal chef, a sports nutritionist, and even a therapist to help tackle his food addiction. His journey stands in stark contrast to his wife's frightening experience with unregulated medication, highlighting different approaches to weight management.
Important Takeaways and Public Health Implications
Bunnie's experience serves as a crucial cautionary tale about the risks associated with obtaining medications outside proper medical supervision. While she acknowledged that "there are so many people who are taking reta and love it," she emphasized that "something happened with me" that others need to consider.
Her story underscores several vital points:
- The dangers of obtaining medications from non-medical sources, even those appearing "reputable"
- The importance of clinical trial integrity and pharmaceutical company oversight
- The potential for severe psychological side effects from weight loss medications
- The need for careful consideration before trying experimental treatments
As weight loss medications continue to gain popularity and media attention, Bunnie Xo's harrowing experience provides a sobering reminder of the potential risks involved and the critical importance of medical supervision when considering such treatments.
