Botox enhance mood by preventing frowning
Botox may improve mood by preventing frowning brow and a recent study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
By paralyzing the facial muscles, Botox prevents the physical expression of negative emotions. Based on previous research that suggests that facial expressions not only reflect but also influence our moods, the study sought to determine whether, by preventing the expression of negative emotions, Botox may improve mood.
The study was conducted with 25 people who underwent cosmetic surgery, 12 of which have been injected with Botox or similar neurotoxins and other received other treatments for wrinkles. Two weeks after treatment, participants completed a questionnaire assessment of depression and anxiety and they assessed the success of their treatment.
Those who received Botox showed less depression, anxiety and irritability, says Michael Lewis, professor of psychology at Cardiff University, lead author of the study. At what point they thought the treatment had improved their appearance was similar in both groups, suggesting that the difference in mood was not related to differences in aesthetic results.
In a previous study conducted in 2006 by Eric Finzi, a cosmetic surgeon, 9 out of 10 women with major depression had seen their symptoms disappear after injections of Botox around the mouth and forehead wrinkles, the Times reported.
This latest research and most recently have been conducted with small groups, it is therefore premature, warns Lewis to consider Botox injections to be beneficial for mood.
Research published last month showed instead that preventing the expression of negative emotions, botox could prolong the emotions and the authors arguing that it could well encourage a downward spiral.
“The problem is that the botox paralyzes the muscles used for communication, then it is difficult to predict the overall consequences,” says Lewis.
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